An Education changes a child's life forever!

The new school 'Intel School'

First, let me fill you in about the school system in Tanzania. It's actually pretty awesome. Their school year is a calendar year! The first day of school starts January 1st and ends December 31st.   The children start January; in school all of January, February and March; then out all of April; in school May, June and July; out all of August; in school September, October and November; write exams then out all of December; January, off to a new grade. Makes perfect sense to me! 

Anyway, at the start of this new year, all of the children of Karim Orphanage changed schools. Change is good! Also, I'm so excited to say, that six neighbour children are also attending this new school with our Karim bunch, thanks to my friends, family and Bridges of Hope. For some of them, it's the first time sitting in a classroom. How exciting is this? There were a few reasons for these changes. 

The oldest girls, Salma and Neema

First, one of our oldest girls, Neema, went off to secondary school. Which is kind of like going off to Jr and Sr high because the school she was attending was only an Elementary School, up to grade 6.  She is now attending St Teresa Secondary School, just outside of Arusha, which is a boarding school for girls. It is also the same school where our oldest, Salma, 17 years old, has been going. Neema is doing awesome after her first term and Salma will be graduating this year. Ohhhh, this is so exciting! She's the first one to graduate from Karim Orphanage. This would not have been possible without the help of Mama Jody and her family! 

The two youngest, Alex, 3 years old
 and Bashiri, 4 years old

The two youngest at Karim, Alex, 3 years old and Bashiri, 4 years old, started school this year. They were pretty excited and so proud to be putting on a uniform. They are big boys now and going off to school with the rest of the children. 
All the other children were moved from Sotwa Wilson School to Intel School. The reason for this move was, Sotwa Wilson was maybe 25-30 km away and it took an hour to get to school. Intel School is only 2 km away and a 5 minute bus ride or a 15 minute walk! We had to make the change for the children.

a thumbs up for School!

After the first term, all of the children all doing extremely well and are very happy with the change. They love their new school! They love their new green uniforms, all their new teachers and new friends. Most of all they love the fact that they get to sleep an extra hour because the bus doesn't pick them up till 8am instead of 7am and they are home at 3:30. Which means more time for homework and more time to be children and play! 

Richard, 11 years old and in a classroom for the first time
thanks to Jenn and her friends.

So now, ALL the children are in school getting an education! And of course, none of this would be possible for the children, without the help of all of our Sponsors.  An Education changes a child's life forever!  You the sponsor's have helped change a child's life forever!  Be proud.  'Asante sana na Mungu awabariki'!  (swahili for 'Thank you very much and God Bless you!)

Jahaya, 9 year old neighbor boy going to school
for the first time, thanks to 
St Henry's Jr Elementary School in Melville, Sask.

*Every child deserves the opportunity to sit in a classroom and get an education! Be the one to help change the life of a child.
*Are you interested in visiting Karim Orphanage, jumping on a bus or walking the dirt road to school with these children and spending some time with the children at the school? Trust me, it would be an experience you will never forget!

that smile will last a lifetime!

Tom and Jenn with neighbor Ernest and Mama Ellie

This was a truly a surprise, like no other surprise! First of all, let me tell you how this all come to be. Last spring, our son, Tom,  and his new wife,  Jenn,  travelled to Africa for their honeymoon to visit Karim Orphanage and Tanzania.  Of course, they fell in love with all the children and with everything about Africa, who doesn't.  But the big connection to their hearts, was just outside the gates of Karim Orphanage, a 30 year old neighbor guy, named Ernest! 

Ernest, in the black hat; Paulo in the blue

I have known Ernest now for 5 years and he is one of the most sweetest, humble, grateful and honest guys you will ever meet. And his smile ... well, it is infectious! When you give him a job, he does it 150% all while showing his pearly whites the entire time! 
Anyway, when Tom and Jenn returned home, they decided they wanted to help Ernest some way, some how. He had a family... a wife and two children, to support and but had no job. We decided, he needed a 'boda boda' which is Swahili for a motorbike cab. With a boda boda, he could drive the locals to town for a small fee and raise money to feed his family. They threw around a few ideas on how they could raise this money but finally came up with a great, fun idea 'a Poker Tournament' one night with 18 friends and family. They raised $1200 to buy Ernest his new 'boda boda'! 

Ernest picking out his motorbike

In April, I was off to Tanzania once again. The first day there, my driver, Paulo, and I went shopping for a deal on a motorbike. After two days, four motorbike shops and lots of wheeling and dealing in both english and swahili, we made the deal. Now, to pick up Ernest and bust out the surprise! I was so excited, I could not wipe the smile from my face or dry that tear in my eye. 
After visiting with the children, we told Ernest to jump in the vehicle with us ... "Lets go to town, I have a surprise for you".   Ernest was grinning in the back seat all the way to town. Ernest is one who gets excited when you buy him a fanta pop! We parked and walked into the motorbike shop. Paulo and I were trying to keep a straight face but it was hard and Ernest just followed us in, smiling, not a clue what was about to go down. 

a kodak smile

"So Ernest, what color do you like? Red or black?" Ernest's eyes widened, he tilted his head my way, both hands went on his head, his eyes filled with tears and he said "Oh Mama!" And yes, this was when I started to cry! He hugged me till I couldn't breathe anymore. After a few seconds of hugs and tears and 100 thank you's,  he was grinning from ear to ear and said  "I like the black one, Mama, please."    

the new 2014 Toyo Boda Boda

So, Ernest got himself a brand spanking new, 2014 Toyo Motorbike with a red helmet, full tank of gas, insurance and registration for a year, 2 weeks of driving lessons and $100 left over which was put in a bank account for him.

the first ride home

Now, we have to drive it home and surprise Mama Ellie, his wife. He drove very slow and careful all the home.  We followed him. Mama Ellie was just as surprised and grateful. I explained to them both how Tom and Jenn raised the money and that it was a gift from them and their friends and family. Ernest said he wouldn't be able to sleep that night or even all week. Paulo said when he does fall asleep, he will sleep with a smile now. And what I know for sure is, that smile will last a lifetime! 

Ernest and his wife, would like to thank you from the bottom of their hearts and will forever be grateful for helping their family. He welcomes you all to visit his family and home. 

one very happy and grateful family!

I would like to thank Tom and Jenn Kinnell for this great idea and for hosting this fun Poker Party. 

I also want to thank all of you who attended and donated to the 'Boda Boda' *Cody, Justin and John Schooten, Chris Tomaras, Josh Simek, Chance Franklin, Wes Scheuerman, Todd Brown, Ryan Parker, Mike Caruso, Marc Leclair, Brody Sheahan, Kyle Harris, Derek Boyle, Tyson Bosch, Tim Legrandeur, Matt Gilmore, Sean Brown, Brett & Michelle Johnson, Andi Caruso, Randy and Dolores Kinnell, Greg Kinnell.

THANK YOU all! Your small act of kindness has truly changed this man's life! 

See you all next year, for the 2nd Annual Poker Party!

New Track Suits

The Children were 'over the top' happy when they received these beautiful new track suits! These track suits were made with love, just for them, by Roest Acoustics.  The children loved them. I loved the colors. A big Thank You to a very special Auntie Heather and Uncle John. 

The boys

Lucy

Saumu

Mama Rehema

Sabrina

Richard

Samwel

Lucy and Godfrey

our neighbor boy, Ellie.

The whole Gang!

I'm going to make this Place your Home!

It all started 5 years ago! At a small, small place, called Karim Children Care Centre. An 8 x 8 room, no electricity, no water, no bathroom, 2 beds, a hibatchi and 9 beautiful, happy children. Now, we have 16 children and a bed for each, on an acre of land, that they call home. Here, in this video, you will see where they came from, some of the projects, and the friends that have visited and helped Karim Children Care Centre become what it is today. The past 5 years have been a unforgettable! These memories will forever be with me. Thank you, to all of you that have travelled with me, to Arusha Tanzania and helped me make this place their home! 

Here, is the past 5 years, put into 4 minutes!  Enjoy! 

'Party for a Purpose'

Bridges of Hope's  4th Annual 

'Party for a Purpose'

Saturday, March 8th, 2014 

5:00 pm – 11:00 pm GALAXY BOWLING ~ 1702 23 St North

$25 Cover Charge includes:

*Supper *Live Entertainment *Silent Auction *50/50 *Door Prizes *Bowling

Call Linda at 403-795-2261 for advance tickets!

Going to be a great night! Hope to see you there!

2013 ~ was an awesome year!

Well, another year has come and gone! And, for some reason, the years seem to be going by so much quicker.... or maybe it's just me. Needless to say, around this time of year, every year, I take a moment to look back at all the good and the magical moments of my past year.  And just when I think 'WOW' what an incredible year, how am I ever going to top it .... I do!  I truly have had the most amazing year ever! I ticked several things off my 'bucket list', reached a lot of my goals and some pretty big dreams of mine came true! And I am one big dreamer! 

Some of my great highlights from 2013 were ~ finding out, from my oldest daughter, that I was going to be a grandma again! That was definitely at the top of the list...

Right along with my youngest son marrying the most beautiful girl ever this past summer.

Meeting up with my two best friends from elementary school, that I had not seen in 18 years, was yet another blessing.  

I am always grateful for my trips to Africa. In 2013, I made two amazing journeys. One with my husband and our son and his wife. We had soooo much fun with the children at Karim as well as an amazing safari. A memorable journey for sure!
 

My second trip to Africa was not just to Tanzania but to South Africa as well. Six years ago, in 2007, I was given a 'Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls' Christmas Ornament by my children. It was one of the things that motivated me to go to Africa and make a difference. I always knew in my heart, that someday I would visit this school. It was a dream, that I made a reality. This past fall, I was invited, by Ms Winfrey herself, to OWLAG graduation. 

So, I know most of you are all making New Years Resolutions at this time and probably, they all have a physical or financial bend. I am one of them, with a vision, not a resolution, of being more physically fit and healthy. But, I am a Health Coach, so I think I should look the part! Yes, we should all be more healthy, that's not a bad thing. But my advise to you..... what ever made you smile and laugh and what ever made you happy in 2013.... do more of it in 2014!! I sure plan to! 

I plan to smile bigger, laugh harder, spend more time with my children, grandchildren and my friends. I am not going to underestimate, any longer, the fact that I am truly changing lives in Africa and will continue to inspire more people!

Always remember, when you do good, good will ALWAYS come back in your life. That is something I live by. Dream big! Anything is possible, if you just have the courage and believe in yourself!

I would like to thank all of you, who have supported me this past year, even if it's just read my blog! It means the world to me. I have the best family and friend support, anyone could ask for.  2013 ~ was an awesome year and I can't wait to see what 2014 has waiting for me!

Happy New Year, to all my family and friends, and to the friends I have not yet met! I wish you all, much Health and Happiness and a whole lot of Love and Laughter!

Mama Linda