PACKING FOR TANZANIA...

Time for another warm month in Tanzania!

...Though I'm still warm with memories about Fatuma coming to America. Afyter three weeks as roomies, I'm eager to see my hard-wroking friend again. As most of you know, she's the original Bibi Jann school owner, now director of GRANDMA-2-GRANDMA. Husband Eric and I leave in early February for three weeks there, and I'll be posting more news from our several projects there.

But first, I'm off to Goteborg on Sweden's west coast, where American friends Beth and Christine are working with the American Women's Club and the International School there to arrange another round of fundraising. Both groups -- as well as the International Women's Club - have been such generous supporters in the past.

Which brings us to updates:

*With the $4,000 in donations and craft sales earned during her U.S. trip, Fatuma and the bibis have purchased a plot for a bibi-run farm, or shamba. Here they will raise crops and critters to feed their families and perhaps even have some left over to sell to villagers at a profit. The money bought land started a 3-room house, where the bibi families will take turns living in order to oversee (and guard!) the farm. Fatuma tells me that $2,400 is still needed to complete the little farmhouse. CAN YOU HELP?

*A March influx of student nurses from the University of Wisconsin to volunteer in Mbagala has prompted G-2-G to bring in more beds, tile the indoor toilets, etc. to accommodate the visitors. Enterprising Fatuma sees this as a way to utilize unused rooms in the Bibi House and earn some money for the organization. Louise Root-Robbins, who'll accompany the group, has discussed with me our idea of eventually running a small hotel for adventurous types - travellers and volunteers - who want to immerse themselves in the friendly Tanzanian culture. This could be our beginning. We still need bedding - and the complex lacks a much-needed water tank. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT ASSIST WITH?

*The new, 6-acre Bibi Jann School campus is coming together, with generous help from a local Tanzanian Rotary Club saving much money on well drilling. The new campus - financed by donations by good folks like you through Salaama Tanzania -will take the school through 7th grade and eventually into secondary school. As classes move there, the present campus will revert to pre-school and new vocational classrooms. The school is run by its own board and funding by ST, which has tax-free status.

*This separation of the school and G2G enables Fatuma and I to concentrate on helping bibis and their grandkids. Since we've already accomplished so much since 2001 without the hassle of tax-free status, we've elected to keep things simple and continue that way. Every donation you make I send (or take) directly to Fatuma, the hardest-working. most responsible and conscientious woman I have ever met. Every dollar goes as you designate.

*Our six speaking engagements in the states, along with Facebook friends joining our cause, has brought in several new bibi family sponsors. Some donate $25 or $30 monthly; others give in lump sums. And several forego unneeded birthday, Christmas or Hanukkah gifts and make donations instead (the perfect gift!). Many of our grandmother-led families have no sponsors. WHAT A GREAT WAY FOR YOU TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!

*As a new school year begins this month in Tanzania, it's a perfect time to enable a child to attend school. They need school shoes at $15 a pair, school uniforms at $20, and school fees ranging from $150 to $250 (depending on grade level and school type).

*Our new Smart Girls Club for our older BJ girls - begun in September to add focus, responsibility and awareness to these pre-teen lives - has resulted in healthy and safety education, including a tour of and connection with doctors at Temeke Hospital. Some girls are now aiming at becoming doctors themselves! Thanks to Amy Minato of Portland, OR for donating journals to these girls, who are now learning a SMART way to live.

*Our September safari planning is underway - the perfect opportunity to meet BJ participants, tour Dar, visit an animal park and explore exotic Zanzibar for just $2,000 (not counting airfare). Want to join us?

A big "asante sana" to all of you!