It’s All About the Children
Kilimanjaro rises up to meet us…..
A smiling driver comes to greet us.
The moon rises upside down.
We are on the other side of the world.
And it is all about the children.
The sun comes up and sets in a blaze of glory.
Flowers bloom, vibrant, delicate, strong against a dusty landscape.
Animals roam, each in its own splendor.
We eat and we drink, food and wine and all the experiences that are Tanzania.
And it is all about the children.
We meet the children…
Little ones with big smiles and arms outstretched to touch our skin, to touch our hearts.
Orphans and children in hospital, excited for hats, excited for hot wheels, excited to touch and be touched, touching our hearts.
Older children anxious to talk --- to share their hopes.
Older children eagerly reading, singing, dancing, drawing, painting, learning, and sharing time with us.
Older children, touching our ears, touching our skin, touching our hearts.
Grown children with education, with careers, because they were supported, still tugging at our heartstrings.
And, it’s all about the children.
We bring clean water, painted walls, improvements,
Book bags and school supplies,
Shoes and shirts and other things we take for granted.
We leave them, we leave a part of us.
We bring home the intangible, a yearning to do more, a heart full for the people, and an indescribable sorrow for all that is needed mixed with joy and hope for what is and can be and is being done.
And, It’s All About the Children.
Bergel Ziegler
TESTIMONIALS
Jackline, shaking hands with the Chief Justice of Tanzania at the admissions ceremony
|
Kristina T-F.
October 2005: Jackline, an orphan, hoping to find a sponsor for her school fees (Form 3, past due as the year about to close and could I do next year too?) Shyly she approaches to ask. Kristina, first time Safi traveler, is given the opportunity to say yes or no to this stranger, is given the opportunity to trust and help this girl, or not. There is a risk and an opportunity on both sides. Only the future holds the answer to the doubts dancing around this decision. I look around for an answer and none appears. A leap of faith and a “yes” comes out. A simple word and lives changed. |
It took me a long time to realize that my support was more than a transaction. It allowed for a transformation.~KTF
Jackline : Hello Kristina
Kristina: Hello. How are you?
Jackline: I am good. I have done with studies. [Masters in Law]. Graduation is next month - I am not sure of the date yet.
Kristina: Congratulations on your completion of studies. You are a woman with determination.😍
Jackline: Thank you Kristina...thank you very much...you have made my dream come true...”keep your eye on the prize”😊
Kristina: Always. You are the one who had the dream and did the work. I was just your support with God's help on both sides.
Jackline: Yes - but a dream without the support and God’s help is nothing
Kristina: Yes. We go together.
Kristina: Hello. How are you?
Jackline: I am good. I have done with studies. [Masters in Law]. Graduation is next month - I am not sure of the date yet.
Kristina: Congratulations on your completion of studies. You are a woman with determination.😍
Jackline: Thank you Kristina...thank you very much...you have made my dream come true...”keep your eye on the prize”😊
Kristina: Always. You are the one who had the dream and did the work. I was just your support with God's help on both sides.
Jackline: Yes - but a dream without the support and God’s help is nothing
Kristina: Yes. We go together.
|
|
Gail R. F.
"When I visited Tanzania in 2017, it was an unexpected surprise to meet Faustin Samwel, the student I had been sponsoring. It was delightful to visit with this young man and to continue to sponsor his education.
What a delight these children of the Majeno Children Centre were! Running up to hug us and eagerly donning the knit hats we brought, and grasping the donated tooth brushes, it was a highlight of the 2017 Tanzania trip."
"When I visited Tanzania in 2017, it was an unexpected surprise to meet Faustin Samwel, the student I had been sponsoring. It was delightful to visit with this young man and to continue to sponsor his education.
What a delight these children of the Majeno Children Centre were! Running up to hug us and eagerly donning the knit hats we brought, and grasping the donated tooth brushes, it was a highlight of the 2017 Tanzania trip."
Mary Jo & David J
"Since 2010, we’ve supported Safi by being educational sponsors of Tanzanian students. In early 2020, we were delighted to meet our current student, Gladness, while on a Safi Purposeful Trip. With the help of Safi, Glady successfully completed her secondary education and is now taking college prep courses related to her career goal of serving others."
"Since 2010, we’ve supported Safi by being educational sponsors of Tanzanian students. In early 2020, we were delighted to meet our current student, Gladness, while on a Safi Purposeful Trip. With the help of Safi, Glady successfully completed her secondary education and is now taking college prep courses related to her career goal of serving others."
Earla F.
"Meet Salome. I met her in 2005 on my first trip to Tanzania. She is an orphan and lived with her aunt. She is currently 22 and a university student. Through Safi, I was able to sponsor her and contribute to her school fees. She is my Tanzania granddaughter and in my heart. On my recent Christmas card she called me her 'Happiness Maker'."
"Meet Salome. I met her in 2005 on my first trip to Tanzania. She is an orphan and lived with her aunt. She is currently 22 and a university student. Through Safi, I was able to sponsor her and contribute to her school fees. She is my Tanzania granddaughter and in my heart. On my recent Christmas card she called me her 'Happiness Maker'."