Assumption Parish Donations

So I just want to send a quick shout-out to the wonderful people in Long Island, New York who have been such a phenomenal support to Neema International these past two months!!! 

Neema volunteer, Theresa Marino, is from this neck of the woods and her family, friends and community have really exemplified what it means to make big waves "Little By Little". Before even coming to Africa, Theresa's home parish of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary raised $5,000 in just a week to contribute to the building of the new Tuleeni Academy center in Uru!

In the nine weeks Theresa has been with us on the ground in Rau, we received more than 11 boxes from her community members filled with hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of toiletries, school supplies, clothing items, new shoes, games, toys and books. Many have donated online as well and begun their own fundraisers in the community to continue bringing light to our needs here.

Additionally, the community fully funded a $500 dollar impact project in just 2 days so that Theresa could build a playground area for the children at Mrupanga Primary- a local government school, before she leaves!

Theresa does not come from a rich area. In fact, many she knows are struggling. She herself is just a recent college graduate who had a dream to come to Africa and do a bit of good... And it is the goodness of the people around her who have made all this possible! 

Here's to friends and family around the world who see the value in giving. Even with very little we can do BIG things when we come together. 

THANK YOU for everything, Friends! We are grateful for all of your work thus far and can't wait to see what the future has in store'

Neema International's International Volunteers!

Neema International has been lucky to host amazing volunteers ever since its genesis. At the moment, though, we have a staggering FIVE AT ONCE which makes for a fabulous pool of contributed talents, ideas and extra hands to get things done!!! Thank you, Denmark, for sending us four of the five (all but Theresa who is from America)!!! Here are some pictures of Neils, Camilla, Niko, Sarah and Theresa doing their thing.

NEILS with Baraka

SARAH with VIOLET

CAMILLA with Celestine

THERESA with Isma, Happy and Violet

NIKO with Happy

  

Belated Autism Awareness Day Post

It wouldn't be life here without a few internet glitches... so please excuse the fact that this post is over a week late. Still, wanted to share our experience from last Thursday...

Autism awareness is an issue that is close to the hearts of many of us here at Neema International, so it was truly a joy teaming up with other local organizations for the Kilimanjaro Autism Awareness walk yesterday! So proud of our Tanzanian family who came out in droves in seven different regions to support the cause!!! It was a thrill for some of the older Tuleeni children to experience town for the first time on such an exciting day. And to do it as a part of something so much bigger than themselves is something we hope will expand their horizons in more ways than one. Despite the heat, Moshi rocked the opportunity to unite with our global community in the efforts to bring about a better understanding and acceptance of our brothers and sisters with Autism. A wonderful day all around! 

Subira's First Bath

So many of us take for granted the littlest things. Running water, heat, childhood playtime. Well, one of our children, a 6-year-old girl named Subira, had not experienced any of those until just a couple nights ago. Needing a meal, a bed to sleep in and a bath for the night, we took her in and gave her the treatment! Hot bath water, bubbles, balloons, toy cars and candies galore made for one special night for this beautiful young lady. And wouldn't you know it? In several minutes she went from looking tired and sad to splashing, playing, joking, singing and reveling in the steady stream of water coming from the faucet. A NEW LITTLE GIRL! Amazing how so few external comforts can make such a transformation internally. Such a blessing to be able to provide her with these things through the generosity and thoughtfulness of donors. On behalf of Subira and Neema International, thank you for your continued support!!!