The Tanzania Orphans Upendo Village in Ibumila: How it all began

Construction of the Tanzania Orphans Upendo Village at Ibumi, 30 kms from Njombe town has begun. We are digging the foundations and strengthening them with stones. The next step will be to raise the walls. We need bricks which are brought here from Mhaji as the soil here is no good for backed bricks.
Ibumi seemed to have piped water but to my surprise they have the pipes and a huge water tank which is as dry as the Sahara desert! We therefore had to quickly dig two wells and hence we had to go to the netherworld. The cost for each well is Tshs 250 000 (appr. $ 160). Boys were there for the bid!

The beginnings with the Accountability Board Chairperson, Mr Daud Sapula.

Lunch on the spot!

Bringing the rocks for the foundations

As tired as a he-goat but never bored!

Beans and vegetables plus ugali, makes a welcome lunch in the open.

The Village has a huge beautiful tank which is empty and dry all the time. Diesel for pumping the water into the tank is the problem. We had to dig wells to continue working and they will be used when the work is over.

Accountability Board Chairperson with Rev Fr Augustino Rugemalira, a certified Civil Engineer who is a wonderful priest helping me with the construction technicalities!

The walls are taking shape. The bricks will follow next week!

The idea becomes a wall which becomes a house for the orphans!

These two little boys on my sides are the once who dug the well, more than a hundred feet deep. Now we have the water but we will have to deepen both in Oct/November.

And God said let there be water at it sprung forth!

Back to work! Thanks to all who have made this possible through personal sacrifices. May the Lord always bless them and all they cherish.