In April this year, a team of four of us went to Tanzania. I was excited and nervous to be going back a second time; this time as a leader. It was great going back to stay at the orphanage and see people we had met last year again.
We visited three schools while we were there. We sang songs, decorated tote bags, made loom bands and played games. The children loved running around chasing us as we blew bubbles. Such a simple thing but one that brought such joy.
We also went to visit another orphanage where there were about 40 children. Before we left the country we were able to donate £400 worth of food and school supplies to them, thanks to the kind donations of our UK friends.
As with all BTBAB’s trips we had a project to set up. We always pray as a team before we go, to see what God wants us to do. The year previous I had stood in the grounds of the nursery school and there was a broken playground. It was dangerous and I said in my heart to God, I wish I could do something about this. I left it at that and just wrote it in my journal.
I didn’t want to say to the team about what I had felt last year because I wanted them to hear from God themselves. During a prayer time the team had visions of school bags and children in uniforms, one lady on the team had a vision of a girl in a school uniform with a cut leg. We also had it on our heart to raise £12,000 for the project. So we decided to make the project for rebuilding and restoring a school playground and providing school resources.
While we were there, there were several hurdles to overcome. There were many times that it looked like it might not work but at each turn God made a way. It was a lesson in faith for me, to trust Him at every turn. One Mama, a lady called Fiona, said she had it on her heart for the village to have a playground previously, so she was really excited about the project. We then met with the head teacher of Tumbi Primary school who was so happy and grateful for the opportunity. He had wanted a playground in his school previously but it hadn’t been possible before. He agreed to the contract. By this time it was Tuesday and we were leaving on Wednesday!
We made the decision, with the help of Femi Oni, that it was right that we split the money raised (£3365) between the three schools we had visited. The other two head teachers said they could come on Wednesday morning, the day we were leaving!
The following day two of the head teachers came and signed contracts. We are very grateful as a team for everyone’s kind donations to this project, it is such a worthy cause. Children should have a safe place to play where they can have fun, be free and dream. I have always believed that God makes a way but during this trip I saw it time and time again.
