Day 17 - NGOs and FAME

Hey Blog! 

Today we started the day off with breakfast at Banjika, and then headed to our separate NGOs. While one group went to Tunza Africa the other visited Mwema Children’s Center. At Tunza Africa, one group was able to learn about the forgotten medicinal crops that the organization now aims to grow around the community, while supporting women groups that use these plants, like rosemary, lemongrass, and the Moringa plant to create essential oils, cosmetics, and dietary  supplements. The group was able to learn from the women how to clean, dry, and process Moringa leaves and even try Moringa tea. The other group at the Mwema children’s center learned about its growth over the years, and worked with students staying at the school to create reusable sanitary pads for the surrounding community. After the Mwema students taught us how to cut the different fabrics and sew them together, we were able to watch a performance put together by the students. The instructor explained that at Mwema the arts are taught to ensure different opportunities for students later in life. The performance included music, acrobatics, and dancing. Both groups met for lunch at the FAME clinic, and we were then able to enjoy a tour around the facilities, learning about the different services offered for the community. During our Q&A session with FAME employees and while watching videos explaining the founders mission, we learned how their work led by Tanzanian specialists helps families in Karatu and the surrounding community. Now we are all excited to go back to our homestays to spend the last night with our families before we say goodbye tomorrow.

Savannah and Lily


























Note: the photos below show the new power inverter the group brought from Menlo this year to replace an earlier one (now dead) that had been first installed by a Menlo engineering teacher about six years ago. The inverter powers school devices such as the copy machine.



Installed solar lamp


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