Category: News

Marion Gough

NEWS FROM IGODA VILLAGE, MUFINDI, TZ UP TO OCTOBER 2023

It is with great appreciation and thanks for for following fundraising efforts, their donations will certainly make a great difference.

Richard Kerswell continued to sail around Ireland raising funds for the children at the ICV since our last newsletter and completed his efforts on the 15th October. He started sailing on the 26th April leaving Penzance, over the Irish sea to Waterford and around Ireland anticlockwise, clocking up 1706 nm £836 so far. He has met amazing supportive people; battled some very rough seas; had torrential rain and very high winds but also glorious sunny days too; seen some wonderful sea life and beautiful scenery. The donation page is still open for donations.  https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/peggys-coronation-cruise

Mark Brunsdon and his team, on the 16th September, rowed in the London Marathon’s Great River Race which is 21.6 miles up the Thames from Millwall in the east to Richmond in the west. He rowed with Tamar and Tavy Gig Rowing Clubs finishing 36 out of 212 boats; 10th out of 49 gigs raising £306.25 for the children. https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/mark-s-rowing-challenge

Lillie Hyde-Parker is also raising funds for the children by running 10k in cherished memory of Sophie Hyde-Parker who volunteered at the Children’s Village, shown, who loved her time with them as they did hers. Lillie’s run is at the end of November. So far she has raised £726.50. if you would like to support her efforts, please click on this link.   https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/i-am-fundraising-for-orphans-in-the-wild-

*CELEBRATION AT IGODA. On the 6th September, with great excitement, the keys to the new ward extension of the Igoda Health Clinic were officially handed over to the Igoda Village officials in the presence of Geoff and Vicky Fox, as guests of honour, and celebrated with the Mufindi District Chairman, other dignitaries, staff and villagers, at the same time the Chairman praised the efforts made by the Yam Project that is making a difference to vulnerable youth in the area. Two Certificates of Appreciation were given to Geoff and Vicky for all their support, help and efforts since 2005, they were also presented with a goat.

The building of the Igoda ward extension and furniture were made possible by the extremely generous sponsors, Yvo and Hilda from Belgium, which, without their help, would not have been possible.

The YAM (Youth Agency Mufindi), funded by the Helsinki Deaconess Foundation Institute (HDI) of Finland, is designed to support disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to solve life issues enabling them to lead dignified lives and to help take control of their lives through improved motivation, skills and opportunities”
*https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158979851456157&set=a.101506102989361577  *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJjNPheh-P4  

                                                                             

Congratulations to Ellia, Edwin, Kastory, Kaisa and Fanual  on their School Graduation on 19th Oct 2023.     

 

Helmi has been volunteering for three months at the ICV and is being exceptionally helpful. Mostly she has been working in the YAM project. At the moment, the whole project team are currently trying to find employers who would be willing to employ the youths who have disabilities in this project, visiting some companies in the nearby villages and Mafinga for discussions. She has also been helping some younger children with their evening studies, assisting the teacher in the classroom with mathematics and writing English and Swahili. She has designed a new trifold leaflet for FCWC (FoxesNGO) and for future skills, she is showing children how to knit and crochet. She will certainly be sorely missed and wish her well with her Bachelor’s degree.

Also Ella Hirsiaho, Finnish volunteer, arrived for 10 days, bringing with her a full car load of items for the ICV,  Ella came with her usual, generosity, exuberance and organised lots of games and fun the for children. She has returned now and will be sorely missed. 

Dr Leena Pasanen, a much loved volunteer medical doctor who has been going to the ICV for many years, has also just arrived in Mufindi and was welcomed with open arms. She will be visiting for three months, assessing medical needs, visiting those in need in outreach and meeting old friends.

Thank you

To those who are running events, raising funds for the children,
your continuing support also those who donate on a regular basis, the Igoda Children’s Village wouldn’t be there without you, we really appreciate it

Do visit our Facebook page for regular news updates

https://www.facebook.com/OrphansInTheWild

Marion Gough

News from Igoda Village, Mufindi, Tz up to June 2023

CORONATION SAIL: In April, 76yr Richard Kerswell started his Coronation Sail Around Ireland in aid of Igoda Children’s Village.  Last year he successfully went around GB sailing 2,570 nautical miles for funds for Covid vaccination for the third world and Orphans in the Wild. This year, he set off from Penzance to the Scilly Isles, over the Celtic Sea to Waterford sailing around anticlockwise and is now moored at Portnablagh. We would like to wish him good sailing and a big thank you for this enormous effort for the children. If you would like to become part of his journey by donating, please click on this link: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/peggys-coronation-cruise?fbclid=IwAR0hiYPeh5C_k9e1A2CIcxizv5sfemaeE6kP3JiUUyUnctpEApflnVAK-tc

  

 

MOHAMED AKANDU: You may remember back in December we had sent baby Mohamed to an eye hospital for an operation to help him see.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?

fbid=10158515419181157&set=pcb.10158515422536157 We are delighted to report that he has recently been assessed and now has spectacles to help his vision. He has accepted them well and doesn’t try to take the off.

The children were given a special Sunday treat of biscuits and wanted to share this lovely photo with you!

NEW WATER PUMP: Mufindi, situated in the Tanzanian Southern Highlands, is very remote and hilly with water not readily available. There is a small stream at the bottom of the valley from where the

water is pumped up into tanks to each of the 8 ICV houses. Their water pump recently broke down so new equipment had to be bought. Many thanks to Hans Lottering and Nadrick, the maintenance handyman, who have fitted the new equipment, saving such a steep climb with buckets, thank you!

JUNE TIDY UP: June is the month when there is a big tidy up of the area around the ICV and here shown are Tula, Mileni, Eliza, Zauda, Love and Faraja giving a helping hand.

MILK FORMULA PROGRAM: Several babies have joined the Milk Formula Program for various reasons, many because the mother is mentally/physically ill or unable to breast feed, some mothers have passed away and the family have taken the babies on and need help to be able to get the milk formula. Some babies stay at the ICV in the Baby House until such time the family is in a position to care for them.  

Milk Formula is not readily available in Mufindi; very few are able to afford the expense of it even when available. St Pius the 10th Church in Bristol raises funds to be able to help with this project for which we are extremely grateful. With huge thanks to Sally Taylor who makes and sells hundreds of jams and cakes and organises events etc.

Thank you
For your continuing support and also those who donate on a regular basis, the Igoda Children’s Village wouldn’t be here without you. We really appreciate it.

If you would like to be part of the ICV, please click on the donate button, all donations, any size, is greatly appreciated.

For regular posts follow us on Facebook, https://twitter.com/OITWPMG,  https://www.instagram.com/orphansinthewild/

 

Marion Gough

News from Igoda Children’s Village, Mufindi, Tz. to March 2023

Foxes Community & Wildlife (FCWC)  in Mufindi is making a big difference to disabled and vulnerable children; generously funded by the Helsinki Deaconess Foundation Institute (HDI) in Finland. This report was published in February in Tanzania by Matukio Daimaapp Iringa.

“The project has started the provision of psychology education for young people under 25 years of age who come from vulnerable circumstances in three wards of Mufindi district in the Iringa region, to enable them to deal with the problems of mental stress and insomnia.

The 10 day training started early February at the Igoda Orphans Hall by bringing together 100 young people from 16 villages in the Ihanu, Mdabulo and Luhunga districts. Speaking to the young people during the opening of the training, the Chairman of the Association of Tanzania Psychological Service Providers, Dr Heriel Mfangavo, said the training is a great opportunity for the young people towards self-awareness, and getting rid of the rigid ideas of not taking progressive steps, and having ideas to move ahead. He also said that another group that needs psychological help is a group of people with disabilities, some of whom live with depression and anxiety due to the way they are. The counsellors who will work in the YAM project have been asked to identify the challenges that cause the problem of mental stress for the community of people with disabilities and find solutions. He said due to the magnitude of the problem for these young people, the training will be of great benefit to them and help get rid of dependency. He said that the YAM project is a great saviour for the Mufindi community, especially the areas that are surrounded by the project as it will help the needy community to live more happily. The issue of disability leads many people to live with mental stress and even get other mental problems.”

YAM project manager, Danford Mkumbo, said this is a four-year project being implemented by the Mufindi Council in collaboration with the Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation through the YAM project under the funding of the Government in Finland which will benefit more than 770 young people and children in poor families in the 16 villages.

Young People From Vulnerable Environments Mufindi Begin To Be Given Psychology Education:   https://www.matukiodaimamedia.co.tz/2023/02/young-people-from-vulnerable.html

100 Youths had:  
13th – 27th February, 15 days of Psychosocial training by TAPCAP (Tanzanian  Association for Professional ~Counsellors and Psychotherapists). Dr Heriel &  Anastasia, UoL  (University of Iringa).
8 – 10th March, 3 days Mindset training by RLabs.
11th – 20th March, Entrepreneurship training by the UoL.
32 VCPCs (Team Village Child Protection Committees) also attended the Entrepreneurship training as they need to mentor and motivate the  100 youths when back home in their wards.

YAM organised a Football tournament which took place between youths from the three wards where they were able to relax and enjoy themselves

In Addition:
 22nd – 28th ~February, 7 days assessment of 62 disabled youths and children by INUKA. 2 representatives working with the project team. This is being followed by transporting them to INUKA for rehabilitation with others referred to various specialists in Mbeya funded by YAM.

9th – 11th February and 6th to 7th March, project management training took place, also 28th February – 2nd March, three ward level VCPC meetings to keep the VCPCs motivated and engaged.
15th – 16th March, 2 days of project management training by RLabs for surveying and analysing beneficial feedback.  

YAM SEWING SCHOOL: The students are coming along well with their studies and practice. They are now able to design and make clothes on their own, not only for themselves but for the children and staff at the ICV. They started in July 2022 and are now growing in confidence so expanding their production wider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUoyCNyGGlc

Marion Gough

News from Igoda Children’s Village, Mufindi to December 2022

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and a Successful New Year!

YAM (Youth Agency Mufindi) sponsored by The Deaconess Foundation, Finland

Media reports and interviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i–RgzODzb8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izx1Xi1y9OA

Events

  • Three days training of 170 caregivers in disability issues, far more than the original number planned, and highlighting the taboos surrounding the ‘invisible disabled’
  • Assessment of older disabled youth for Rehab needs, some of whom will attend the program for employment of disabled.
  • A conference and youth events were held with the dual aim of highlighting the livelihood impacts from teenage pregnancies and also HIV awareness 

Five mechanical students have joined the YAM project familiarising themselves with insides of an engine.

Also 50 girls are being introduced to carpentry with an assortment of plantation and management techniques, chain and circular saw management together with maintenance, timber processing, sawing for high recovery and harvesting technologies and with blade management also charcoal, briquette and fire control. They have been on a  sawmill & treatment plant tour and visited a plywood factory.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TniJSOCmBx0

YAM tailoring students continue improving their skills,they started making sheets to get used to sewing and straight lines, and progressed recently to making school uniforms. As Christmas was looming,they made clothes for children at the Children’s village. The course lasts 6 months with some students having to bring their children with them ~ earning at an early age .

The life of 14yr old, Josephat,  has now been saved by FCWC with the support of YAM. In previous two quarterly news reports, you would have read of a battle with gangrene in the legs of a young boy.  He fell into an open fire and his legs suffered extreme burns which became infected that progressed to gangrene. They managed to save one of his gangrenous legs but eventually had to amputate his other leg. After amputation, the medical team opted for the use of prosthetics and orthotics (artificial limb). Josephat was referred on 24th October 2022) to St. Joseph Hospital, Ikelu.  His progress is being monitored and we await further news of this brave young man. At least now he has a chance in life; if FCWC had not rescued him he would have died in a matter of days. https://www.facebook.com/OrphansInTheWild/photos/a.1046766288814746/2354165951408100/ 

  The Belgium sponsor  for the news wards and staff accommodation for the Igoda Hospital, arrived in October together with his grandson to see the progress of the buildings for himself. The members of the Village Committee, FoxesNGO builders and some villagers warmly welcomed and thanked him for his generous support.  He and his grandson also spent a little time with some of the kindergarten children at the ICV.  

This is little Helena who arrived prematurely, weighing 1kg on 24th May 2022, shown here with her aunt on the 28th December. Our Milk Powder Program has saved her life as her mama was unable to provide sufficient milk, as for many other babies on MPP. She has been monitored regularly and as you can see, is coming along well. Her family has done extremely well getting her to this stage as there are no facilities for these tiny babies in Mufindi.

 

Thank you for your continued support, it means a lot and goes a long way for the
ICV. All funds reach the ICV in Mufindi.   All Trustees in the Uk and Tz are volunteers; the only paid staff are local Tanzanians. To donate, please click on the donate button on this website. Thank you.

There are many more posts and stories on the Igoda Children’s Village on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/OrphansInTheWild

Marion Gough

Shoes for school!

Many of the children have worn out their shoes again for the second time in 12 months! Can you imagine how many pairs all our children get through! Can you help us get them some new shoes.  The rains are due again soon and they will need dry feet! Please click on the link and donate to help raise funds.

                                   

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/orphansinthewild

Every little helps – please put ‘shoes’ in the comments section.

Thank you – Asante Sana!

Marion Gough

News from Mufindi, Tz to September 2022

HALIMA UPDATE: She has recovered really well from her surgery and skin graft in Moshi, Northern Tanzania late 2021. Well done Halima, you have come a long way and a huge thanks for her care at the ICV. To read Halima’s brief history please click on this link:
https://www.facebook.com/profile/679241156/search/?q=halima

PREMATURE BABY: This is little Helena who arrived prematurely, weighing 1kg on 24th May 2022, shown here with her aunt. Our Milk Powder Program has saved her life as mama was unable to provide sufficient milk for her. She has been monitored regularly and on 9th August, she weighed 4.5 kgs. Her family has done well getting her to this stage as there are no facilities for these tiny babies in Mufindi.

 

Having fun with new balls some visitors brought for the ICV, Hezron too, he always enjoys playing ball. Thank you!

YAM PROJECT – Youth Agency Mufindi: Five Mechanical students have joined the YAM project familiarising themselves with insides of an engine.

  • Three day Training of 170 caregivers in disability issues and highlighting the taboos surrounding the ‘invisible disabled’.

  • Assessment of older disabled youth for Rehab needs, some of whom will attend the program for employment of disabled.

  • The next 2 events were a conference and youth event which was held on 22nd and 23rd September with the dual aim of highlighting the livelihood impacts from teenage pregnancies and also HIV awareness.

  • Once the report comes in from the latest disabled assessment (they followed up on previous batches of disabled children who already underwent Rehab this and last year at the same time as the Disabled Youth) then we will know what the Rehab requirements are.

  • The boy who is suffering from  gangrene legs is still in hospital, the medical team is still working very hard to save them. 

    https://www.facebook.com/profile/679241156/search/?q=YAM
    The conference speeches have English subtitles.  During the speech, breeding was mentioned, this was mistranslated from what should have been livestock keeping! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-s549dd8h4

  • A song about life without HIV is possible: https://twitter.com/TvDaima/status/1573069015580393472https://twitter.com/TvDaima/status/1573069015580393472
     Young people describe how the YAM project benefits them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i--RgzODzb8

IGODA CLINIC EXTENSION, plus the medical staff accommodation is progressing very well now.  With great appreciation to our very generous Belgium sponsor who is going to visit Mufindi mid October, with his grandson, to see this extension for themselves.

Thank you for your continued support, it really means a lot to the children and us all in Mufindi
Please contact us if you would like ay further information

For new and past posts, follow and like:  https://www.facebook.com/OrphansInTheWild/  

Marion Gough

MUFINDI NEWS – APRIL TO JUNE 2022

IGODA  MATERNITY EXTENSION

:

The much needed Igoda Clinic maternity extension and living quarters for visiting medical staff in Mufindi, Tz., is coming along well, the roof trusses are almost complete.  Progress is not as fast as FCWC (Foxes Community & Wildlife Conservation) would have liked due to the difficulty in obtaining dry timber for the roof. The corrugated roofing sheets will take no time and enable the interior walls and floors to be cemented – followed by ceiling boards, doors and windows.  This extension is being generously funded by a donor in Belgium.  

VOLUNTEERS MIA AND LEO: We said goodbye and a big thank you to Mia and Leo for volunteering for three months at the ICV Kindergarten.      

     

We also said our farewells to ELLA HIRSIAHO thanking her for all the hand knitted knitwear, hats, toys, shoes, sunglasses etc. donated by her and many friends in Finland

THE YAM (Youth Agency Mufindi) PROJECT:    Achievements so far: The Agricultural skills & mindset training for last year of 80 vulnerable and disabled youngsters received Psychosocial training and Entrepreneurship training, this included – This year, the next 100 youths received Psychosocial 15 days training in Feb, followed by 10 days Entrepreneurship training, followed by 10 days Agricultural training + 3 days mindset training . At the beginning of June, 2 piglets were distributed to each of the 100 Youngsters on a revolving scheme.             

They have just had INUKA (INUKA Southern Highlands CBR is a Rehabilitation Hospital) assessing rehabilitation needs for the next 31 Disabled children who will go into Rehab soon. 17 children have already received rehabilitation and treatment last year. In the meantime, an SOS was received for a 14yr old Epileptic who had severely ulcerated feet requiring possible amputation due to gangrene. He is in INUKA hospital now for the next 28 days while they try to save his legs by curing the gangrene and dressing the wounds every day.

22 sewing machines were delivered in June and the tables were assembled within a couple of days, these treadle tables came in flat packs   

Students then started to receive 10 days of tailor training; others started their 15 days Mechanics training. Then all 180 youth (last and this cohort) will be placed as apprentices for 5 months e.g. with tailors, motorcycle mechanics, carpenters, masons etc
Later this year we will be conducting care giver’s training and providing support for older disabled youngsters wanting employment.– *YAM PROJECT *Foxes Community & Wildlife Conservation’s (FCWC) Youth Agency in Mufindi,  is  funded by the Helsinki Deaconess Foundation Institute (HDI) in Finland, designed to help vulnerable and disabled children solve life issues enabling them to lead dignified lives and to help take control of their lives through improved motivation, skills and opportunities.  FCWC are working with the UoI – (University of Iringa) and TAPCAP (Tanzanian Association for Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists) to help FCWC by providing expertise in assessing needs, psychosocial support, and the training of trainers while at the same time INUKA (Southern Highlands Rehab Centre) will be assisting us with addressing the rehabilitation needs of the Disabled.

AVODACOS: The avocado trees have produced a great crop this year. The photo shows some of the children preparing to bag the fruit whilst others are still picking! These are all used by the children and staff at the ICV. Avocados are a source of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. They also provide lutein, beta carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids. Avocados contain high levels of healthy, beneficial fats. A great benefit for the children.   

NEW FOR OLD FOR A COSY SLEEP! Our lively, boisterous children at the Igoda Children’s Village in Mufindi are wearing out their mattresses and we need to replace them together with a few waterproof and single sheets too.  Can you help please?  Your donation, large or small, will go to a long way for the comfort of our kids. Every penny helps, thank you!                                                                                                                 

 

A 3.6″ mattress in Tanzania costs 90,000Tz/- (almost £32) and a single sheet 14,000Tz/- (Almost £5)





Your support, donations and those who regularly donate by Direct Debit is very much appreciated.


we can’t do this without you.  thank you! 


Please contact us if you would like more information. To see more photos and posts, please see:
https://www.facebook.com/OrphansInTheWild
https://www.instagram.com/orphansinthewild/



 


 

		
			




			
				


	


		
						

			 Marion Gough		

				
	


	

		
Lively Kids Need New Mattresses!

				
Our lively, boisterous children at the Igoda Children’s Village in Mufindi are wearing out their mattresses and we need to replace them, also a few waterproof and single sheets too.




 


Can you help Please? Your donation, large or small, will go a long way for the comfort of our children, every penny helps!  Thank you!


A 3’6″ mattress in Tanzania costs 90,000/-Tzsh (almost £32) and a single sheet 14,000/-Tzsh (almost £5.00).


https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/orphansinthewild


 

		
			




			
				


	


		
						

			 Marion Gough		

				
	


	

		
News from Mufindi

				
Bob Ellis.  We were  very sad to announce, in January, the passing of Robert C Ellis. Bob was born in 1937, founder of Mufindi Orphans in the US who had lived an active and fascinating life in many parts of the world.  Bob and Mary were great friends of the Fox family in Mufindi, Tanzania and knew them years before he founded Mufindi Orphans in 2006 to support Foxes & Community Conservation for their projects in Mufindi. He retired from MOI in 2012.  He is certainly missed by us here and our sincere condolences to Mary, their daughters, India and Laura, with their son, BZ and families. https://www.tributearchive/obituaries/23431265/robert-charles-ellis




Blankets:  With your generous donations from our blanket appeal in December,  were able to buy some extra warm blankets for the children.  Great excitement as they collected their  blankets during the early evening as they arrived at the ICV! Thank you!


Visiting the leavers:  Uzia, the ICV Social Officer, and Dr Leena, our visiting volunteer doctor, checked all the children who had left the ICV. The majority over 18, as with Tanzanian Government ruling, orphanages are not allowed to keep any children of 18 years and over. Some of the younger ones also returned to families who were in a position to look after them again.


 


Here left to right are a few of the youngsters that have left: Kastory, his brother Kaisa, Blastus, Jesca with her grandmother and Edwin with Elia. It was found that some of the children needed items such as blankets etc., which was remedied.  They will remain supported with their education and all be regularly monitored.


 


Parcels: In February, more parcels from Finland arrived containing a lot of clothes, socks, shoes, lego blocks, reading spectacles and sunglasses, for which we are really grateful.  Many thanks to all the donors involved in Finland.


  


*YAM Project: These four youngsters have already benefitted from The YAM Project. So far, they have received psychosocial and entrepreneurship training.




Foxes Community & Wildlife Conservation’s (FCWC) *Youth Agency in Mufindi, funded by the Helsinki Deaconess Foundation Institute (HDI) in Finland, is designed to help vulnerable and disabled children solve life issues enabling them to lead dignified lives and to help take control of their lives through improved motivation, skills and opportunities.


FCWC has implemented this pilot project in our neighbouring 16 villages, conducting outreach, needs assessments, rehabilitation, carer training, psychosocial support, agricultural and forestry training, entrepreneurship training, and wherever possible also help address gender equalities. Our hope is that once the project is shown to be successful in addressing these needs it is likely to be replicated in other parts of the district, region and country and we will be working closely with local government wherever possible advocating equal development and opportunity for vulnerable children and young people.


16 disabled children so far (10 planned) have received need-based rehabilitation, checkup, treatment, and supportive devices for those who needed them. It is a proven success and there are many disabled children who attended the rehabilitation who are showing improvements. For example, we have a case study of Alvis Chumi who did not attend school because he was unable to walk, but after rehabilitation has now started to do so and he now attends butterfly class at our Igoda Children’s Village.



To achieve this, we have already established a Youth Project Team and are continuing in the process of establishing and strengthening Village Child Protection Committees, VCPCs, helping us to identify and deliver this project support and training and help solve the problems faced by disabled children and vulnerable young people


We are working with the UoI – (University of Iringa) and TAPCAP (Tanzanian Association for Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists) to help FCWC by providing expertise in assessing needs, psychosocial support, and the training of trainers while at the same time INUKA (Southern Highlands Rehab Centre) will be assisting us with addressing the rehabilitation needs of the disabled


Thank you for your continued support, it really means a lots to us and to all in Mufindi 


This is our giving page If you would like to be part of the children’s’ lives:


https://www.goldengiving.com/charity/orphansinthewild


For more regular posts please see:


https://www.facebook.com/OrphansInTheWild/