April 09    Tom gives up his time (and energy!) to be a building volunteer.   April 09    Village Africa is fundraising for two classrooms for Yamba Primary School. It hopes to start work in July 09. Four teaching volunteers start in the primary schools, David, Francesca, Jessica and Paris. Village Africa's child sponsorship scheme flourishes. There are now 33 pupils in the scheme.  More sponsors are needed. Mwanahawa leaves her temporary position as translator to study in Form V.   March 09    Andrea Ward becomes Village Africa's UK Administrator.  Tina Freeman transfers to be the UK Finance Administrator.  Both are kindly working on a voluntary basis.   March 09    The construction of 6 school toilets for Milingano Primary School commences. The work is being funded by Kids Helping Kids in America and managed by Village Africa. A small lending library service is established for the pupils and adults in Milingano. Alex from the UK visits Tanzania and uses her auditing skills to advise Village Africa on its financial systems. Andy joins Village Africa as its first building volunteer in Milingano. Susie is Village Africa's first volunteer from New Zealand.  She will build and then help with marketing. Village Africa's project leader strengthens the management team by teaching delegation skills. Netball posts are presented to Milingano Primary School. Small percussion instruments are donated by Village Africa volunteers to the newly created Milingano Primary School choir.   March 09    Village Africa is running a summer camp in Summer 09, as featured in the Sunday Times Travel Supplement, Feb 09. "The charity Village Africa is devoted to the alleviation of poverty in the West Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. Volunteers joining the two-week summer camp, starting on July 30, can choose to help with teaching English to children, or to assist in local building projects. Village Africa emphasises that volunteers aren’t taking jobs from local builders, but providing temporary help for continuing work. The cost, excluding flights, is £675, booked through Personal Overseas Development (01242 250901, www.thepodsite.co.uk). Flights to Dar es Salaam with BA start at £734, through Trailfinders (0845 050 5871, www.trailfinders.com)"     March 09    The villagers of Yamba and Milingano appreciate Village Africa's volunteers and supporters greatly and some have even named their babies after them. Village Africa is pleased to publish some recent photographs of some of the babies named after some of our dedicated supporters. Baby Alex Baby Allison Baby Caro Baby Doug Baby Joanna Baby Tom Baby Peter   February 09    Six school toilets for Yamba Primary School are completed. "handing over the toilets to Yamba Primary School" Nurse Christina makes her second visit to the project.  Seminars on cholera, HIV/AIDS and malaria are designed and delivered by Village Africa nurses and Christina. Seminars take place for adults in Yamba and Milingano and for pupils in Mibukwe Secondary School.  The cholera and malaria seminars are adapted for Yamba Primary School pupils.  Christina also advises at Yamba Village Health Post. Village Africa receives a large donation from the Mansfield family and friends in Ireland. Mosquito nets are bought for Form 3 pupils at Mibukwe Secondary School. Milingano learns to knit!  A 6 week knitting course is led by volunteer Laura, assisted by Alloysia, a member of the Yamba knitting group.  The women learn how to knit blankets and hats. Salome returns as translator as Joseph leaves to pursue a place at university.   February 09    Allison Yearsley, former Village Africa volunteer and current Village Africa Director has had the great honour of a second baby named after her. Mother and Baby Alli are doing well.   January 09    Sarah Curgenven joins the UK team of volunteers as Fundraising Coordinator.  Sarah was an office volunteer in Yamba last year.   January 09    Village Africa's teaching programme enters its fourth academic year.  Avis and Yvonne from Ireland and Emily, Laura, Lucy and Polly from the UK teach in local primary schools. Bob and Krystal from Canada and Chris from the UK assist the African building team. Fiona joins Village Africa as a management volunteer. Babu Doug and Bibi Moe return to Yamba to help with the Child Sponsorship Club known as the "Simba Club". Village Africa donates one large book cupboard to Mibukwe Secondary School and one to Milingano Primary School. December 08    Special thanks to the relatives of Moe and Doug (Auntie Ann, John & Pat, Malcolm & Marg, Kathryn & Chris and Loiuse & Greg) who donated a large amount of money instead of purchasing Christmas presents.   Special thanks to Alex Holden for organising a Football Lottery to raise funds for Village Africa.  Thanks also to the staff of Coseley School for supporting the lottery. December 08    Special thanks to the relatives of Moe and Doug (Auntie Ann, John & Pat, Malcolm & Marg, Kathryn & Chris and Loiuse & Greg) who donated a large amount of money instead of purchasing Christmas presents.   Special thanks to Alex Holden for organising a Football Lottery to raise funds for Village Africa.  Thanks also to the staff of Coseley School for supporting the lottery. November 08    Wendy Lowis Bates held a fantastic fundraising evening in Exmouth, Devon to raise money for Village Africa.  Wendy sold the winter collection of her own handcrafted jewellery. Charlotte Sullivan sold her beautiful handcrafted cards. Their friend Megan also sold her "off the rail" vintage clothing to raise funds.     November 08    Mark and Allison Shaw raised funds for Village Africa in the run up to their wedding day. Mark raised money on the Saddleworth Beer Walk which he did for his stag and Allison raised money by running 130 miles in the 130 day run up to the wedding. She looked stunning in her wedding dress on the day.      November 08    Helen O'Grady Drama Academy (Portsmouth Branch) raised funds for Village Africa. Oscar, the academy's new mascot, made his debut appearance collecting loose change for the charity at Oaklands School Christmas Craft Fayre on 22 November in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Gift received in the UK - printer   November 08    Christmas Shopping Online? Remember Village Africa. No extra cost to you! There's now a new and easy way for you to help us raise funds for Village Africa - simply by shopping online! Easyfundraising is a shopping directory that features many of your favourite online stores, including Amazon, NEXT, Debenhams, John Lewis, ToysRUs, HMV and over 500 others. All you have to do is use the links on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online and, at no extra cost to you, we'll receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make. It really is that simple! It's completely FREE to register and use and you still shop with each retailer in exactly the same way. Many retailers even offer additional discounts and money-saving e-Vouchers when you shop using easyfundraising. If you shop online anyway then why not raise valuable extra funds for us by using this fantastic scheme.  All you need to do is visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/villageafrica and when you register, select Village Africa as the charity you wish to support.   October 08    Nether Green Junior School, Sheffield has chosen Village Africa as its charity. Proceeds from the Autumn Fair held in October will be split between school funds and Village Africa. The children made up their own games for the grown ups to play at 10p-20p a turn. Miss Hurt (past Village Africa teaching volunteer in Milingano) was given a teacher's discount at 5p! Further fundraising events are planned for the year. The school first supported Village Africa by collecting supermarket tokens for schoolground toys and sports equipment. The gifts were shipped to Tanzania and have just arrived. The Milingano pupils are thrilled with their new toys and say to the Sheffield pupils 'Asanteni sana' (thank you very much).   October 08    Past volunteer Joanna recently organised a very successful pub quiz fundraiser at the Joiners Arms pub. Special thanks to Mike and Chuckie who were the fantastic quiz masters.   October 08    Special thanks to Central Methodist Church, Dudley Ladies Group and to C.E. Young for their generous donations following a presentation about Village Africa presented by Doug and Moe.   October 08    Gifts received in October from the UK: computer and clothing. Special thanks to Denmead Community Centre in Hampshire.   September 08    Gifts gratefully received in September from USA, Tanzania and the UK: medical supplies, clothing, towels, bags, computer equipment, office and school stationery, teaching aids, toys and jewellery. Special thanks to Kids Helping Kids in Seattle and Kipepeo Beach Resort, Dar es Salaam.   August 08    Gifts gratefully received in August from Tanzania and the UK: clothing, shoes and toys. Special thanks to Peponi Beach Resort, Pangani and Skynetworldwide.   August 08    Laura is currently volunteering as a teacher in Tanzania. Prior to her departure she bravely cycled the windy roads of Suffolk to raise money for Village Africa. Thank you to all who sponsored her.     August 08    Special thanks to Stacey Faulkner for sending a large quantity of medical supplies including bandages, wound dressings and neck braces. Special thanks to Skynet for helping to transport the above items. Special thanks to Mrs M Elms and David Elms for their kind donations to Village Africa.   July 08    Gifts gratefully received in July from the UK: football kits, sports equipment, books, teaching aids, school stationery, knitting and sewing materials, toiletries, jewellery and clothing. Special thanks to Royal Russell School, City of London Freemen's School and the University of Exeter.   June 08    Gifts gratefully received in June from the UK: umbrellas, schoolbags, clothing, water bottles, blankets, stationery, torches, sports equipment, toys and cameras. Special thanks to Mayer Brown International LLP and Polam School. June 08 Lynda Smith organised a "Name the Panda" competition to raise money for Village Africa. Funds were raised by the patrons and friends of Warwick Gates Community Church in Leamington Spa earlier this year. The Panda is to be sent to the children in Yamba, Tanzania.   May 08      Shopping online There's now a new and easy way for you to help us raise funds for Village Africa - simply by shopping online! Easyfundraising is a shopping directory that features many of your favourite online stores, including Amazon, NEXT, Debenhams, John Lewis, ToysRUs, HMV and over 500 others. All you have to do is use the links on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online and, at no extra cost to you, we'll receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make. It really is that simple! It's completely FREE to register and use and you still shop with each retailer in exactly the same way. Many retailers even offer additional discounts and money-saving e-Vouchers when you shop using easyfundraising. If you shop online anyway then why not raise valuable extra funds for us by using this fantastic scheme.  All you need to do is visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/villageafrica and when you register, select Village Africa as the charity you wish to support.       Change your search engine to easysearch.org.uk now... You can now raise funds for Village Africa when you search the web! Use easysearch every time you search online and they'll give 50% of the fees paid by their advertising sponsors to your chosen cause. Easysearch is powered by Yahoo, the world's 2nd largest search engine. It works just like any other search engine, bringing you fast, accurate results every time, but easysearch also gives something back! When you search the web with easysearch you'll generate around a penny for Village Africa with every search you make. It doesn't sound like much, but the pennies soon mount up and each penny goes much further in Tanzania. Make it your homepage now and select Village Africa as the charity you would like to support!  http://www.easysearch.org.uk   May 08    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania and the UK - medical equipment, medical books and posters, children's books, school stationery, teaching aids, sports equipment and clothing. A special thank you to Skynet Worldwide.   April 08    St Thomas's Church, Salisbury held an extremely successful coffee morning to raise funds. It included the sale of cakes to take home and a raffle. It was organised by one of Village Africa's current volunteers, Miranda Naish.   April 08    The children of Cherry Tree Hill Infant School in Chaddesden, Derby have participated in a sponsored walk to raise money for the kindergarten classrooms at Yamba Primary School, Tanzania.  The children walked a lap around the playground carrying a bucket of water - to represent children in Africa who walk to the rivers to fetch water.  Special thanks to St Barnabus Friendship group for collecting loose change. Special thanks to Beki Warwick for running the London Half marathon. Special thanks to everyone who has donated generously to help raise money for the kindergarten classroom.   April 08    Following presentations on Village Africa kindly given by Doug and Moe Brazenall, Village Africa would like to give special thanks to: Dudley Men's Fellowship who meet at Central Methodist Church in Dudley, West Midlands, Dr.David and Ann Gallimore, Five Ways Methodist Church, Lower Gornal.   April 08    Gifts gratefully received in the UK: hand knitted baby clothes and blankets, children’s and babies toys and blankets, the use of a photocopier. Special thanks to David and Jeanette Robinson. Special thanks to Claire Probert and Alex Holden Special thanks to The Coseley School and Sports College for the photocopying of information packs for the Village Africa pilot child sponsorship scheme.   April 08    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania, Australia and the UK - safety goggles, footballs, toys, clothing, shoes, toiletries, stationery and wool, magnifying glasses, puppets, posters and other teaching aids. Special thanks to the staff and customers of Kipepeo Beach Resort in Dar es Salaam   March 08    Allison Yearsley has decided to give herself the challenge of running an average of one mile per day running up to her wedding to raise money for Village Africa. There will be 130 days, so 130 miles, or the equivalent of almost 5 marathons!   March 08    Gifts gratefully received from Tanzania and the UK - building gloves, clothing, school stationery, toys, crochet hooks, wool, washing lines and pegs. Special thanks to Skynet Worldwide.   February 08    Village Africa is pleased to report that Swingfield class of Selsted Primary School have exchanged letters with Standard 7 at Yamba School.   February 08    Gifts gratefully received from the USA, Ireland and the UK - medical equipment, medical book, tent, camp beds, blankets, bags, digital camera, garden sprinklers, wool, sewing needles and toiletries. Special thanks to Kids Helping Kids.   January 08    Gifts gratefully received from the Netherlands and the UK - spectacles, medical book, DVD player, CD player, mobile phones, wind up torches, sports kits and equipment, clothing, shoes, jewellery, wool, school posters and other teaching aids, school stationery and toys. Special thanks to Thare Machi Education (a UK based charity) for a portable DVD player and a collection of health education DVDs in Kiswahili and English.   January 08    Teachers at Nelmes Primary School, Hornchurch kindly raised money for Village Africa by not sending Christmas cards.   January 08    Gifts gratefully received from the Netherlands and the UK - wind-up torches, knitting needles, clothing, shoes, noticeboards, calendars, spectacles, children's books and videos, toys, bags, staple guns, a mobile phone and knitting patterns. British Airways kindly gave extra baggage allowance to Village Africa.   December 07    Thank you to Folkestone Rugby Club who donated money, clothes and sports equipment to Village Africa. Thank you very much to 9 year old Charlee who used her birthday money to buy pencils, rulers, rubbers and pencil sharpeners for the children of Yamba.   December 07    Florence Gauvin raised money for Village Africa by having a swear box in her office, collecting small change left in colleagues drawers and kindly donating the extra money she is paid to be a safety warden. Special thanks to Florence and the bankers of Merrill Lynch International.   December 07    Thanks to Helen O'Grady Drama Academy for use of a computer and printer in the UK.  www.helenogrady.co.uk   December 07    Instead of sending Christmas cards, money was donated to Village Africa by a friend of Allison Yearsley (who has twice volunteered for Village Africa).   December 07    University of Exeter students raised money for Village Africa whilst dressed as reindeers in Guildford shopping area.  The University Rag Week International Committee is sending a 12 strong expedition to Yamba in August 2008.  The students have a range of fundraising activities lined up.   December 07    Gifts gratefully received from the UK - jewellery, clothing and school posters.   November 07    The Rotary Club of Tanga kindly donated 50 mosquito nets.  These special nets which do not need treating for five years were distributed at a Village Africa seminar on malaria.  They were given to Village Africa staff and local volunteers who have been improving the access road to Yamba.    November 07    Tina Freeman, a valued Village Africa volunteer, organised a fantastic African night to raise money for Village Africa.  The night included African drumming and African food and was a huge success. Special thanks to Hinkey Island Hotel for donating the venue free of charge and donating the raffle prize of a meal for two. Special thanks to the Tanzanian Embassy for donating 2 beautiful khangas.       December 07    Edmund Senkunde, Village Africa's first member of staff, is being trained as a driver.  He is doing a VETA (Vocational Education and Training Authority) course in Tanga.  He will become Village Africa's Site Manager/Second Driver. Village Africa is committed to training and developing the Tanzanian staff as much as possible.   December 07    Baby Peter was born to Mama Ade (Nurse/Laboratory Technician) and John Samweli (Driver) on 29 Dec.  It is called Baby Peter after the father of Village Africa's project leader (Caroline Johnston).  The baby was born at Tumaini Hospital in Tanga.   December 07    A container was despatched for Tanzania on 8 December.  It contains many donations for Village Africa and is expected to take two months to reach Tanga.   December 07    Village Africa is now advertising for a wide range of volunteers from the following categories: teaching (primary and secondary education), building, administration, journalism, photography, marketing, research, nursing, first aid, cookery, knitting and crafts, pottery teaching, environmental consultancy and advanced driving instruction.  For details see www.thepodsite.co.uk       November 07    Nurse Hilda Shemzigwa was appointed as maternity cover at Village Africa's health post.  Mama Ade (Nurse/Laboratory Technician) and John Samweli (Driver) are expecting their fourth child on 8 Jan 08. Photo: Hilda with UK Nurse Christina Holden   November 07    Village Africa's Environment Committee, with the help of the local schoolchildren, has gathered 700 timber tree shoots and planted them in the tree nursery.  The seedlings will be transplanted to land owned by Village Africa.   November 07    Village Africa took a number of patients to hospital including a woman with cracked ribs, a man with a chest complaint and a woman with cerebral malaria.   The car was also sent to Makanya (a neighbouring village) to collect a 14 year secondary school boy with malaria but unfortunately he had passed away before the car reached him.   November 07    Sixteen children have been registered for school following a seminar held by Village Africa.  Volunteers realised that children living a long distance from school were not registered. The day after the meeting with village elders from Kwembalazi and Mweni, the children were enrolled.  It takes 75 minutes to walk to school from Kwembalazi and 3 hours from Mweni.  The Kwembalazi villagers are making a shortcut to school. As usual, Village Africa will give donations (e.g. clothing and jewellery), when available, to local volunteers.   November 07    Roy Gee (affectionately known as Babu Roy) has returned to Tanzania for 3 weeks.  Roy was a volunteer teacher in Yamba from Sept - Dec 07 - one of the 'pioneers'.  He is the second volunteer to return to Village Africa within twelve months of leaving the project.   November 07    The villagers of Makanya have started to dig a road to their village and have promised to help Yamba to extend its road up to Village Africa's health post.   November 07    David Elms, the first building volunteer, worked in Yamba Primary School laying floors in Std II and III classrooms and renovating the old school toilets.  He also helped with the final stages of Village Africa's health post renovation.       November 07    John Shekumba, Assistant Director, returned to work after an extended sick leave.   October 07    Simon Faulkner visited Village Africa as its first photography volunteer.  Working from a brief drawn up by previous marketing volunteers, he took over two thousand photographs in Yamba and Milingano.  He was stunned by the beauty of the area and the warmth of the people.   October 07    Baby Allison - The Village Chairman has named his new baby girl after Allison Yearsley, one of Village Africa's first teaching volunteers.    Photos: Baby Allison and her father, Chairman of the Village Baby Doug - Edmundi Maiko, Village Africa's day watchman at Mzizma (the volunteer house) has named his new baby boy after Doug Brazenall, a teaching volunteer.  It is the custom to name babies after visitors in order to remember their visit. Photo: Baby Doug   October 07    Yamba villagers have formed an environment committee.  It will work with Village Africa to raise awareness on environmental issues especially as they relate to health.  Local volunteers will work with Village Africa to plant trees.  Timber is in short supply in Yamba and particularly Milingano and yet much is needed for school toilet doors, desks etc.   October 07    The road to Yamba is being extended by hundreds of volunteers from the village.  This will allow vehicular access to the centre of the village. Patients being rushed to hospital will no longer have to be carried on a stretcher down a steep mountain pass.  Pregnant women with labour complications will have a better chance of a safe delivery.  The road extension is expected to take 1 - 3 years to complete. Village Africa has bought six shovels to assist the villagers.  It is also distributing donations (eg secondhand clothing and jewellery) to encourage this local initiative.   October 07    Allison Yearsley and Alan Turk have agreed to be Directors of Village Africa. Allison Yearsley, a primary school teacher, was one of Village Africa's 'pioneer' teaching volunteers from Sept 06 - Mar 07 and returned in Aug 07 during her own school holidays. Alan Turk is a retired software engineer and now runs the UK office on a voluntary basis.   September 07    Village Africa's teaching programme is now in its second year.  Kate Drew and Melanie Hurt are teaching in Milingano Primary School and Doug and Moe Brazenall are teaching in Yamba Primary School.  Besides teaching English, they are organising a number of extra curricular activities including dance, football and jewellery making.        September 07    More than 500 gifts have been distributed to local volunteers over the past three weeks.  A distribution team, drawn from different parts of the community, undertook this task.  Volunteers range from 4 - 80 years old depending on the work.  Duties included digging the road, clearing fallen trees, widening paths, carrying heavy items up the steep mountain and washing the car!   September 07    There were 3 emergency trips to hospital this month: an elderly woman with malaria; a young man with a leg injury and a five year old girl with a high fever and unable to eat.  Village Africa hopes all will make a full recovery.  The diesel for each trip costs 25 pounds.  It is a 5 hour walk from Yamba to the nearest bus or a 2 day walk to the hospital in Korogwe.   September 07    Yanika Hennig visited Village Africa to see progress.  Yani is reading environmental studies at York University and is a friend of Fr Baruti.  Yani said "I really had a fantastic time and the best welcome of my life".   September 07    Elders of Yamba threw a party to celebrate the developments that have taken place since Village Africa started 18 months ago.  A traditional party consisting of singing, drumming and dancing took place and Village Africa was proudly presented with two goats, four chickens, eggs, sugar cane and other crops.  One goat was given to the  new volunteers and the other to Caroline Johnston (the project leader) to celebrate her birthday.  Birthdays are not usually marked in Tanzanian villages.   September 07    Village Africa was the guest of honour at Kwemisambia Primary School standard VII graduation.  Kwemisambia lies in a remote setting between Milingano and Korogwe.  The  villagers have spent 7 years completing a road and Village Africa's car was the second to pass!  The MP's car was the first.  In her speech Caroline Johnston encouraged lifelong  learning.  She was presented with a large chair made of goat skin.   September 07    Four book cupboards have been given to Yamba Primary School by Village Africa.  These are to store local textbooks and English story books kindly sent from the UK.   They will protect the books from rats.  The cupboards have been made and beautifully decorated by carpenters from three villages in the West Usambaras: Milingano, Gare and Mhanko. Dry timbers have been purchased to make book cupboards for Milingano Primary School and the new secondary school in Milingano called Mibukwe Secondary School.   September 07    Mzee Jango'fua is recovering well from a gall bladder stone operation that took place at Teule Hospital in Muheza.  Jango'fua has been Village Africa's watchman since July 06.  Village Africa pays for medical treatment for all its permanent staff, thanks to the kind generosity of its donors.   September 07    Yamba Village Health Post is being renovated.  A warm waiting area will be added to make patients and staff more comfortable.  The Uncle's House - kindly lent by local elder Mzee Petro - is being used at the temporary health post.   September 07    www.safarinet.talk features an interview with Village Africa's co-founder Caroline Johnston, known locally as Makihiyo ('our mother'). http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1051   September 07    Skynet, the international courier company, has offered a special deal for donors wishing to send gifts (e.g. warm clothing) to Village Africa.  Skynet has offices in many countries. The owners and employees of Skynet have already been very kind by regularly sending gifts themselves.  The gifts have been greatly appreciated by the hardworking villagers. For details of the Skynet offer, please contact villageafrica@hotmail.com   August 07    High ranking government officials welcomed Village Africa's project leader in Tanzania , Caroline Johnston.  The District Commissioner in Lushoto and her officers wished to learn more about the project.  The DC gave the Government's warm thanks for all the hard work of the project staff and volunteers and for the generosity of all its overseas donors.  The meeting on 31 August was followed by a visit by the DC to Milingano the following day.   August 07    Village Africa was invited to attend Tanga Rotary Club to introduce itself.  Following a short talk about the project, the President promised to visit to see progress.   August 07    New blankets were given to the ten people in Yamba who have reached 80 years and above.  The weather in Yamba is now very cold, wet and muddy so they were very much appreciated.   August 07    Baby Mark - The headteacher of Milingano Primary School has named his new son after Mark Shaw who visited the project at Christmas.  Mark is the partner of Allison Yearsley one of our 'pioneer' teaching volunteers.  The headteacher now has four children.   August 07    Vocabulary books and pens were given to pupils in the brand new secondary school in Milingano, which opened in March.  This follows the successful introduction of such books into Yamba and Milingano Primary Schools.   August 07    Baby Tina (named after volunteer Tina Freeman) has recovered from yellow fever and is healthy.   August 07    Allison Yearsley, one of Village Africa's first volunteers, returns to teach in Milingano Primary School during her own English school holidays.  Allison continues to work with the African teaching staff to strengthen the behavioural policy drawn up by local teachers in consultation with Village Africa teaching volunteers.   August 07    More than 1000 tasks have been undertaken by local volunteers in Yamba since the start of this year. Village Africa staff are currently sorting all the donations received from the UK container, Skynet, Tanzanian shopkeepers and other sources to distribute to these volunteers.   July 07    A small children's football practice area has been created by the villagers in Yamba.  It is in the hamlet known as Kitunda. This follows the earlier purchase of land and creation of a football pitch by Village Africa. All want to get in on the action and 'make the team'. Leather footballs and football strips are most welcome to encourage these players.   July 07    Village Africa has taken a number of patients to hospital in emergency situations - a mother who had given birth and needed blood, a man who needed stitches on his eyelid, a child with malaria and bilharzia, a mother who had given birth and became blind for a few days, and a child with malaria.  All have fully recovered and have returned home except the last child who unfortunately died in hospital.  It costs 25 pounds to take patients to the nearest hospital.  It takes two and a half hours by car or two days to walk there.   July 07    Alan Turk has taken over the running of the UK office.  Jenni Wilson has stepped down to spend more time with her two daughters but will continue as webmaster and Director. Alan Turk is a retired Software Engineer.   July 07    The container sent from the UK has safely arrived in Tanga and 73 boxes are being transported to Yamba and Milingano.  Many thanks to all who donated, collected, packed and paid shipping on the following items: clothes, shoes, books, stationery, toys, games, walking sticks, crutches, sewing machines, typewriters, tools, spectacles and sleeping bags.   July 07    The expedition from Godolphin School, led by POD (Personal Overseas Development) was a great success.  Fourteen sixth form girls, two teachers and the group leader made a big impact when they arrived in Yamba.  Their packed itinerary included - a traditional welcome, cultural, health and safety and teacher training, a tour of health post and village, a church service, home visits, teaching - 5 mornings in Yamba Primary School, a children's party, a sports day, a knitting lesson, hairbraiding, crafts shopping and a lively goodbye party.   June 07    An extra set of textbooks was bought for Yamba Primary School to help the pupils with their studies.  It came complete with Teacher's Guide.   June 07    Christine Young and Silke Buhr join Village Africa as marketing volunteers.  Christine from Scotland and Silke from Germany (living in Rome) will visit Yamba and Milingano before drawing up a marketing policy.  Christine from Scottish Widows and Silke from the UN Food Programme have both offered to continue assisting Village Africa when they return to Europe.   June 07    Village Africa celebrates.  Birthday big meal for school children a great success! "washing hands before meal" "children with their food" "happy child" "gifts of shoes/flip flops (yebo yebos) given to every pupil" June 07    The road to Yamba is much improved.  It is wider and more level in places and large rocks have been removed from the sides. Village Africa has bought heavy duty tools to help with maintenance.  Local volunteers dig the road every Saturday.  They are being given gifts of clothing, shoes, etc. These have been a great incentive and there were 3 work parties on the road last Saturday.  Maintaining the road will be an on-going need.   June 07    Volunteer Tina Freeman has started a knitting group with the local women.  This group has been hugely popular.  Yamba can get very cold and blankets, hats and scarves are much needed.  Some women have carved their own needles!       May 07    A new baby girl has been named after volunteer Tina Freeman.  Unfortunately the baby, Tina, currently has yellow fever. The Village Africa car has been used to take her for treatment.   April 07    Volunteer Tina Freeman has safely arrived in Tanzania and is looking forward to immersing herself into the community of Yamba for two months.   April 07    Waziri, our Building Materials Store watchman, is completely cured of TB.  Following encouragement by Village Africa, Waziri completed his course of treatment provided free of charge by the government and has been given the all clear.  Village Africa assisted with transport on two occasions to reduce his five hour walk and two hour bus journey each way to see the specialist.   March 07    Village Africa has purchased further heavy-duty tools to allow villagers to maintain the 3 km road to Yamba.  It is important that the road is passable day and night in all weather conditions so that seriously ill patients can be driven to hospital. A young man was taken to Korogwe Hospital (two and a half hours’ drive) at 4.30 am this month, following a serious head injury.  He is in a stable condition. Villagers normally use their own tools and work as volunteers.  Village Africa tries to reward local volunteers whenever possible with donated goods (e.g. clothing).   February 07    UK Water Engineers Catherine Sherwood and Pip Ross visited Village Africa in February.  They spent several days surveying the area to assess the feasibility of a water project.  More than 50 local volunteers turned out on a couple of days to slash grass so that they could take accurate measurements.  On other days they worked with a team of six locals.  They taught the six how to survey.  They brought their own equipment from the UK. They had consultation meetings with: The Ward, Village and SubVillage leadership, the Villagers, the Advisory Committee to Yamba Village Health Post, the Women's group.   They also ran seminars on water hygiene for Yamba Primary School, the local Women’s group and the local Men’s group. These seminars included a demonstration of how to make soap from ash, a little cooking oil and clean water and taught the importance of toilets (long drop) and UV filtering drinking water.   Back in the UK, Catherine and Pip plan to do a technical write-up and seek funds to implement the water project.   February 07    Village Africa received visitors Tom Ponsonby and Suzanne Winkler. They volunteered their time by giving a geography talk on Ireland, outdoor tablemaking, giving sports and arts and crafts lessons and helping Stephen Carter and the locals to clear the football pitch.   February 07    First Australian volunteer, Stephen Carter, co-taught sports in Yamba Primary School with local teachers. The children were also given talks on Australia, during which Stephen showed illustrations of Australian animals to the fascinated children . Stephen also worked hard to clear the newly purchased football pitch with help of over 30 local volunteers - men and women. All the cassava (a woody crop) has now been cleared, goalposts have been made and the children are happily playing football. Stephen managed to pack a lot into his short visit; he also made posters on nutrition for the health post.    Feburary 07    Village Africa received visitors Carol and Beth Warnock.  Carol volunteered to co-teach science lessons and Beth taught crafts in Yamba Primary School.   February 07    Milingano Secondary School, Form 1 is due to open in March 07.  This is a government/village initiative.  Village Africa wishes it every success.   February 07    Following his time in Yamba, Village Africa volunteer Roy Gee has given three slide presentations in UK called 'A Time Capsule - Life in a Tanzanian Village Community'.   February 07    Volunteer Joanna Elgar has given Health Education lessons in Milingano Primary School at a local teacher’s request.   February 07    Actress Lucy Baillie wrote and directed a playlet on water hygiene, performed by Village Africa volunteers in Yamba Primary School.   February 07    Professional UK primary school teachers and Village Africa volunteers Allison Yearsley and Joanna Elgar are holding weekly staff meetings at Milingano Primary School to discuss the issues that face the Tanzanian teachers and offer advice and strategies.   January 07    Teaching programme to be repeated Jan-Apr 07.   January 07    UK water engineers to conduct feasibility study for a water project in Feb 07.   January 07    Expedition from Godolphin School to visit Yamba in July 07.   December 06    The first wave of volunteers successfully completed the 3 month teaching programme in two government primary schools.   A sportsground has been purchased for Yamba village. Please see Progress  page for details.   December 06    A sportsground has been purchased for Yamba village. Please see Progress  page for details.   December 06    Building volunteer programme from May 07 now advertised on www.thepodsite.co.uk   December 06    Yamba Village Health Post has been reactivated and has now seen over 500 patients.   November 06    Two babies named after visitors.... A baby boy was born on the day Alex and Jirapan Tarrant arrived in Yamba.  The baby was named Alex.  Drumming and singing went on late into the night to announce the arrival of the 'new bones'. Village Africa watchman, Edmundi has named his new baby Joanna after volunteer Joanna Elgar. Joanna is excited and touched.   November 06    Village Africa UK has received some updates from the Volunteers in Yamba and Milingano. To read their news please click on the following link. VOLUNTEER UPDATES   October 06    Village Africa UK has received news that the first group of volunteers has settled in extremely well in Tanzania. On top of the English classes they are giving, the volunteers are teaching sport in both schools with the help of the local teachers.  They are using sports equipment that they brought out from the UK.  Yamba has also done art and singing classes and English lessons for adults have started in Milingano. All volunteers are immersed in the community - having their hair braided, playing with the children, going to church, buying food, helping to pluck chickens, painting toenails, visiting patients in the health post, chatting to medical staff, going on guided walks, ordering baskets, being taught how to pound yams etc.   September 06    Village Africa has safely received its first group of volunteers. Eight enthusiastic UK volunteers have given up their time to teach English in Milingano and Yamba primary schools   August 06    In August 2006 Alex and Jirapan Tarrant became Village Africa's first visitors when they came to inspect the project.  The villagers were extremely excited to receive them into the villages and gave them an extremely warm welcome.   August 06    Project recognised by Ward and Village Committee. Big traditional party thrown to welcome project.