Tanzania Education and Micro-Business Opportunity
Project TEMBO News
533 Evered Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Z 5K9 ~ 613-728-6289 ~ [email protected] ~ www.projectembo.org
An Alternative Rite of Passage
by Jo Marchant
Tanzania is changing and Project TEMBO and its supporters are a
part of this change. There is no clearer example of this than the
recent hiring of Mary Laiser by Project TEMBO as the newly established Longido Community Library librarian. However, I am
referring to another skill that attracted us to Mary when we met
her—something that made us realize Mary’s role as librarian
would need to be flexible to accommodate her real passion. Mary
is an FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) facilitator.
Issue 3—Winter 2007
Project Updates...............................2
Notes of Thanks ...............................3
Community Library .........................3
Rite of Passage ................................4
Banda Improvements.......................5
Village News....................................6
Fundraising News ...........................7
On Educating Girls .........................7
Cultural Tour...................................8
Contact Information ........................8
One afternoon this past October, on our most recent project visit,
four of us from Project TEMBO (Arlene McKechnie, Jo Allgoewer, Erla Koch, and myself) sat on white plastic chairs in the
shade of the hot African sun outside the guesthouse in Longido.
Mary was the fifth woman to complete our circle. We had invited
her to give us her presentation on FGM and for the next two hours
we listened, were deeply moved, and sometimes shocked by what
we heard. Thankfully, we found moments of hearty laughter, too.
Mary began her presentation by asking the question, “What do you
know about FGM?” All of us agreed that whatever we knew had
come from articles in the newspaper or programs on television.
We had never received information directly from an African
woman, as we were at this gathering. You can imagine our surprise when Mary looked each of us in the eyes and announced, “I,
Mary, who sits before you – I have been circumcised!”
FGM is legally outlawed in Tanzania but still widely practised
among certain tribes, including the Maasai. It is practised in other
African countries, too, including Somalia, Egypt, the Congo,
Ethiopia, and Kenya. Depending upon the country - and even location within the country - the actual procedure can vary in severity
from partial cutting (Tanzania) to cutting requiring crude stitching
(Ethiopia).
While we knew that traditional Maasai men only marry girls or
women who have been circumcised, we were completely unaware
of the fact that girls and women want to be circumcised. They consider it their ‘right’. This was stunning to hear. As a rite of passage, this ritual has been practiced for generations, usually when a
girl is very young, one reason being to provide a sense of group
(Continued on page 4…)
identity.
Charitable Registration #856825872RR001
2 Project TEMBO News
By the Numbers Project Update Summary
Secondary School
In 2006, 21 girls attended Longido Secondary School
and another three began Form I (grade 9) at the newly
built Ketumbeine Secondary School. This year 38 girls
are enrolled at Longido SS, and another six are at
Ketumbeine SS bringing the total to 44 girls.
Teacher Training
In 2006, seven new teachers successfully completed
Some of the TEMBO sponsored students attending
their studies to become certified teachers. In 2007, eight
Longido Secondary School
more students have been accepted in various teachers’
colleges in Tanzania. This year marks the beginning of
In October 2006, two solar panels were installed on the
a return to a two-year course of study for teachers.
roof providing power to four lights in the library.
Vocational Studies
Mary Laiser, a Maasai woman living in Longido, was
Project TEMBO has provided funds to re-open a Taiasked to be the librarian, and in January 2007, Mary
loring School in Longido village. This new brick build- took a basic Library Training Course in Arusha.
ing was built and partially furnished with sewing machines by a non-profit organization that ran out of
Banda Additions for the Bead Makers
money. The building has been sitting empty but will
Phase one of the banda construction projects began a
now be able to accommodate about 20 girls who will
year ago and has been successfully completed. The
learn how to sew.
women in Longido and Kimokouwa each have new
Two girls are completing secretarial studies and anroadside “shops” to work in. In phase two, which is curother is attending the adult secondary school in
rently underway, cement tables are being built for the
Arusha.
women to display their jewelry to tourists. The Longido
banda has doubled in size to accommodate the large
Advanced Studies
number of bead makers. The final phase will involve
installing a water harvesting system this year.
A Project TEMBO supporter has provided first year
funding to a village doctor to study Obstetrics and Gy- Chicken and Goat Groups
necology at the university in Dar es Salaam. Dr. Steven
Gervas wants to return to Longido District and use his
The Longido Women’s Chicken Group had a difficult
skills to provide better care for women when he gradu- year. First the severe drought in the first few months of
ates.
2006; then a chicken eye disease spread through the
village, killing all the young chicks and some of the
Another young woman has begun Veterinary Studies older ones, too. Each woman lost at least 40 chickens to
and has agreed to return to Longido to assist our women the disease. The Kimokouwa Women’s Goat Group
who are raising goats and chickens.
was also hard hit by the drought with few new kids being born. Arrangements have been made to have a vetLongido Community Library
erinary officer provide the women in both groups with a
Last year our village library was initiated. A small room workshop to assist them in dealing with future challenges.
was set aside near the LOCIP office and meeting area,
and wooden shelves were installed. Slowly, our book
collection has been growing.
Winter 2007 3
Dear Project TEMBO Supporters,
My family and I remember you for
your generosity and kindness for donating what you have so I could continue
my education. May I take this opportunity to say thank you for your help.
I want to inform you that on October 18, 2006, I completed my studies at
Greenbird Teachers’ College in
Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region.
Now I have been sent to work as a
teacher in the Mara Region. My parents
and I are very happy that I have this
opportunity.
We send our greetings to your
families in Canada and to all who are
members of Project TEMBO.
Thanks a lot!
Elineema Naetiyo Solla
The Longido Community Library
by Arlene McKechnie
"There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away…"
I still remember this line from an
Emily Dickinson poem that was part
of my high school curriculum. Now I
am a grandmother, and almost every
day since then, I have "traveled"
somewhere by book.
Arlene presenting Dr. Steven
Kiruswa with laptops donated by
Mitel to the community library
In November 2006, I went to Tanzania to support TEMBO projects. I am particularly interested in education, so the schools and library project were high on my list. I had the
privilege of seeing four schools: two primary and two secondary. Primary school is mandatory and government funded. Secondary
school is not free, and is attended only by the few who can afford it - or
those who can find sponsors. There is a shortage of school facilities, so
all of the schools are full to overflowing with bright kids, very anxious
to learn, and very few resources.
Books play such a small part in the lives of the people of Longido and
Kimokouwa. Even in the schools. In most classrooms, students have no
books. The teacher has the only copy of the text. None of the students
has the opportunity to read, just for the sheer pleasure of reading.
2006 Teachers’ College graduate,
Marie Joseph Mollell
Dear Project TEMBO Supporters,
I was blessed by God when I applied to TEMBO and my request was
accepted to go to Teachers’ Training
College.
I now have a teaching certificate
for primary school and I am a teacher in
Manyara region in Simanjiro district in
a village called Orkesumet in a school
called Mapinduzi. I am very happy to
be a teacher and I enjoy the village
where I am living!
All I can say is thanks for your help and
God bless you!
Maria Joseph Mollell
While in Longido, I also met many older children and adults, including
women supported by TEMBO, and villagers in the cafes. Some of these
had some education, but were amused when I asked them what they
"like" to read. Reading is for school. There is almost no opportunity or
expectation that there will be books to read once you finish school.
TEMBO is addressing this situation. The Longido Community Library,
funded by Project TEMBO, opened less than a year ago. It is a small
room with a very modest collection of books. There is no electricity in
Longido, so during the November visit we installed solar lights in the
library. As well, we are working with Mary (photo page 4), a young
Maasai woman who is a gifted communicator and full of enthusiasm.
We have provided her with basic library training, and are assisting her
in establishing library programming that is appropriate for the community.
There is a great deal of work to do: the concept of a "lending library" is
new; “story hour” is new; and so is romance, adventure, intrigue, all
waiting to be shared. It is exciting!
Watch this space…we hope to have a lot more to report in the next
newsletter.
Arlene McKechnie, a member of Project TEMBO’S Board of Directors, is coordinator of the
Library Project and will be making a return visit to Tanzania in April and May 2007.
4 Project TEMBO News
An Alternative Rite of Passage (cont’d)
“The women gathered inside the
house and laid out a stiff cowhide
that is traditionally used to perform
the circumcision on. Happyness was
put through a simulation of how she
would normally be held by the
women during the actual act (no
knives, I promise, and I do have pictures of a beautiful smiling young
girl quite unperturbed by all of this),
Longido Community Librarian and then, wrapped in a kanga (like a
sarong, worn by all women here as
facilitator, Mary
an overskirt or apron when they're
Mary’s father had many wives. He
doing cooking, cleaning, etc.) to
was also a Christian. Mary was bap- symbolize her new womanhood, and
tized and went to school. When she taken outside to greet the crowd.”
was 14 years old she was circumcised. Today, Mary is married to
Laiser, a Maasai man and, while the
two of them cherish the good parts
of the Maasai culture, they are also
very untraditional in other ways.
Together they are raising a family
and their eldest daughter is a now a
14 year old girl. Secondary school
education and instruction about the
dangers of FGM convinced Mary
Happyness, second from right,
that she would never allow her
standing next to her grandmother,
daughter to be circumcised, and her
was joined by two other girls
husband agreed. As an FGM facilitafor the ceremony
tor, Mary travels around to speak to
any group who will invite her and
Often when Mary is invited by
part of the seminar she gives is lead- women for the alternative ritual, the
ing girls through an “Alternative
ceremony itself is the culmination of
Rite of Passage”.
three or four days of preparation,
of alcohol, while the alternative ritual involves no cutting and discourages the use of alcohol. Still there is
a great party including gift giving,
dancing, singing, and speeches.
Many people of all ages attended
Happyness’ rite of passage ceremony, including the newly appointed District Commissioner. His
presence gave this event the recognition it deserved. Children and grandmothers stood together witnessing a
significant event in the life of the
Maasai community.
Jo Allgoewer continues:
“The highlight of the morning for
me, came when one of the elder
women who has obviously been performing FGM for many years stood
and said she would never do so
again. Hopefully, today marked a
real point of change which will
spread rapidly through the community.”
Mary is passionate about her role as
an FGM facilitator and Project
TEMBO is pleased to be able to support her in this work. Mary’s salary
continues when she is away facilitating, and Project TEMBO has agreed
to compensate a trained library replacement for her. Laiser, Mary’s
discussion, and planning. As she sits husband, also does his part, staying
This past December, Mary organized
home to take care of the children and
with women and girls, Mary exand held an Alternative Rite of Pasthe house. Together they provide a
plains the new focus should be on
sage for her daughter, Happyness
educating girls—to become doctors, courageous example of the ‘new’
(pictured on page one), and two
nurses, or teachers—and that a man Maasai.
other girls, the first such ceremony
would be crazy not to want to marry
to take place in Longido. We are
an educated woman who can provide
happy that Jo Allgoewer was still in
for her family. She tells the group
Tanzania and able to attend the
about normal body changes and
event. She posted some reflections
cleanliness. Her emphasis is on deabout the ceremony in her online
veloping a good character and havjournal (http://
ing a good marriage.
josmidlifeadventures.blogspot.com/)
and here is an excerpt:
Traditional FGM ceremonies involving cutting are followed by great
celebrations accompanied by the use
Jo Allgoewer being outfitted
in a Maasai necklace
Winter 2007 5
BANDA EXPANSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS
In 2006, the old, and well-used bead makers’ wooden banda in
Longido was torn down and replaced by a new brick and cement
structure designed by the women and built by local workmen, Eli and
Kishongo. Another banda was built for the women in Kimokouwa
situated some 15 kilometers north of Longido on the highway. (This
is the first banda for the Kimokouwa women).
The banda or roadside ‘shop' is where the Maasai women make, display, and sell their beaded jewelry. Situated on the Arusha-Nairobi
Road, they are places of lots of activity and interest. The women arrive in the morning once the family is fed and the chores are completed then return home later in the day.
Inside the Longido bead makers’ banda
With corrugated iron
roofs, the new bandas are designed to offer shade from the hot sun
during the dry season and protection from heavy rains during the
rainy season. Each banda has sturdy cement tables that will withstand the elements. The women are also delighted to be receiving
water harvesting systems this year. Gutters will be installed on the
iron roofs directing rain into large PVC holding tanks where water
will be stored. Having water at the banda site will cut down on
long trips to the deep wells during times of drought.
A variety of drought resistant trees were also purchased and
planted around the bandas—like jacarandas, avocado, lemon, and
peach trees—and, in a few years time they will provide colour,
Planting trees near the Longido banda
fruit and beautiful tree canopies for the women to sit under. Unusually heavy rains in November and December ensured that the
trees we planted in October had a good chance to get rooted in the
earth.
A local sign maker, ele Engaresa, is now working on signs using text
the women have provided him. These signs will be placed on the
banda roofs and will be visible to tourist vehicles that regularly use
the highway.
In the coming months, we hope to have a jewelry designer from the
Ottawa area spend a few weeks in Longido and Kimokouwa working
with the women. Together they will design and make distinctive
pieces to sell to tourists and that Project TEMBO will market in Canada.
Kimokouwa bead makers’ banda
“In Their Own Voice”
is a photo essay of life in Longido and Kimokouwa
seen through the eyes of the villagers themselves.
Photographs were taken in April 2006
over a 24 hour period, using disposable cameras.
You can view the essay at: http://villagephotoproject.googlepages.com/
6 Project TEMBO News
News From the Villages
As Project TEMBO continues to
grow, so has our need to have people
on the ground in Tanzania to make
sure everything is running smoothly.
With over 50 students receiving
funding for various academic
courses of study, a community library project, and women’s projects
underway, good coordination is essential for success.
porting the women’s groups; teaching the small business development
course; and submitting regular written reports about all projects to
TEMBO Canada. Mary Laiser
(photo page 4), a community facilitator, was selected as the first librarian for the newly established
Longido Community Library.
Mary’s responsibilities will include
integrating what she learned during a
two-week basic library training
TEMBO co-founder, Jo Marchant,
course in Arusha as well as: catalogwith the District Commissioner
ing books; introducing library programs in the village and in the
schools; and raising community
they would be accepted. They
awareness about the existence of the worked and were an instant success!
Project TEMBO hopes to work with
library.
our partner, LOCIP, to find a manuVisiting the District Commissioner facturer willing to install these lights
on a large scale in the villages in the
In October 2006, Project TEMBO
Project TEMBO Tanzania Field
future.
was formally introduced to the DisCoordinator, Christina Mwiru,
with Niakoki
trict Commissioner in Longido
(Longido District has just been established as Tanzania’s newest disWelcoming New Staff
trict). During a one hour meeting,
In 2006, Project TEMBO’S first two the Commissioner, who is also a
staff were hired in Tanzania. Chris- member of the Maasai tribe, aptina Mwiru, a trained teacher and
plauded the work we are doing with
community development worker, is women and especially the support
Project TEMBO Tanzania’s Field
we are giving to girls who qualify to
Coordinator. Some of Christine’s
attend secondary school but whose
Erla Koch listening to a blind child
responsibilities include: acting as a
families lack the required funds to
read at Longido Primary School
liaison with the schools; ensuring
send them. We look forward to
students who meet our criteria are
working closely with the District
Erla Koch, a retired teacher of the
selected for funding; making sure
Commissioner to improve the qual- blind, visited visually impaired stufees are paid; monitoring and supity of life in Longido.
dents at Longido Primary School
and facilitated the repair of Braille
Project Visitors
machines as well as securing a supply of Braille paper. Erla, along with
Lloyd and Erla Koch from PemJo Allgoewer, is funding the conbroke, Ontario, spent a week in Nostruction of an “outdoor kitchen” at
vember visiting and working in
Kimokouwa Primary School. Lloyd
TEMBO project sites. Lloyd, a reand Erla also purchased the water
tired hospital administrator, helped
purchase and mount solar panels on tanks that will be used at the
Longido bead makers banda. We’re
the new library and on some of the
Maasai bomas. We wanted to see if very grateful for their contributions.
Baraka helps Lloyd Koch install a
solar panel on a Maasai hut
traditional kerosene lamps could be
replaced by friendly lights and if
Winter 2007 7
FUNDRAISING NEWS
“Westfest”,Ottawa, Ontario—This yearly two-day neighbourhood celebration in Westboro is an opportunity to raise our profile in the community, as well as raise funds—about $2500.00. This year we were easily
noticed thanks to a beautiful banner donated by The Signmaker in Ottawa.
“More Than a Booksale”, Brescia College, London, Ontario—
TEMBO was thrilled to be a part of this annual sale of books, jewelry,
and art at the University of Western Ontario in November 2006, raising
over $2000.00.
Fall Luncheon, Ottawa, Ontario—Our 2nd Annual Fall Luncheon was
a huge success, raising just under $8000.00. Events included a silent auction, African Market Place, and draw for a chest of African treasures.
Lunch was catered by Mugena; and coffee and tea was provided by
Bridgehead Coffee House in Westboro, free of charge.
The Sign Maker, Ottawa, Ontario—designed and donated a beautiful
plaque to our project partner LOCIP (Longido Community Integrated
Program) where it is proudly displayed in the LOCIP office in Longido,
Tanzania.
Our Lady Immaculate Elementary School, Strathroy, Ontario—
When Audrey Wong’s class heard about Project TEMBO they wanted to
do something to help. By making small donations in the classroom the
children were able to purchase extra computer time, chew gum without
penalty, even wear their pajamas to school, if they liked. At Christmas
time Audrey presented Project TEMBO with a sack of change totaling
$339.00. An amount like this will pay tuition for a girl in secondary
school for two years. Thank you students!
Octopus Books and Mother Tongue Books, Ottawa, Ontario—Once
again we received fabulous support from our friends at these two independent bookstores, selling TEMBO gift cards totaling about $5000.00.
On Educating Girls...
“It is important to educate a girl
because when you educate a boy you
educate an individual, while when you
educate a girl you educate a nation.
Educating girls yields to spectacular
social benefits for the current generations and those to come. With this in
mind, imagine the endless possibilities
that it would bring for the future: the
eradication of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and
world hunger; ensuring world peace,
better health systems; child care programs; social, economic, and political
stability; and the promotion of gender
equality. An educated girl is the future
of a better tomorrow.
“As you all know, I come from Tanzania and in my country girls, and
women in general, have a long way to
go to get equal opportunities, as boys or
men have. However, we are struggling
to get there and this can only be
achieved through education. Ignorance
and a lack of resources are obstacles
which can only be removed if we all
contribute towards the annihilation of
the existing ignorance towards educating
girls.
“Fortunately, thanks to organizations like Project TEMBO, future educated mothers and leaders are being created whose children and neighbours will
be educated, and thus become emancipated people. This will create a sustained development environment for
Tanzania, in particular, and Africa at
large.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we in Tanzania believe in contributing towards a
noble cause which is ingrained in the
human spirit, not in the great wealth that
one may possess. So lets us start giving
for the better future of tomorrow’s girl
child.”
Brenda Msechu
Brenda Msechu, center, delivered inspiring remarks
at the Fall Luncheon in Ottawa
Brenda, daughter of Dora and Richard Msechu
(Dora is Minister Plenipotentiary at the Tanzania
High Commission in Ottawa), delivered these
remarks at the Fall Luncheon in November 2006.
Brenda is a student at Carleton University.
8 Project TEMBO News
TEMBO Cultural Tour, Project Visit & Safari
Project TEMBO invites you to join us for a
visit of our project area,
an immersion in the Maasai culture and traditions, and
a five day safari in Tanzania, East Africa.
Project TEMBO co-founder, Jo Marchant
will be your personal guide
introducing you to
Project TEMBO’S friends
in the Maasai homeland of northern Tanzania.
Join us for this 16-day once-in-a-lifetime travel experience
from Friday, January 18, 2008 to
Saturday, February 2, 2008.
Cost is $6000.00 per person, including a $500.00 tax receipt.
Space is limited.
Please visit our web site for details:
www.projectembo.org
All travel arrangements will be made by Project TEMBO.
Web Site Update
Contact Information
Our web site has been updated to reflect the most
recent information about our projects.
You will also find links to further information
about women and development, girls education,
and the Maasai.
To get in touch with Project TEMBO,
or to make a donation to any of our projects,
here is how you can reach us:
AGM
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at 7pm
At 533 Evered Avenue.
If you would like to attend, please contact us.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (613) 728-6289
Website: www.projectembo.org
Mailing Address:
Project TEMBO
533 Evered Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario
Canada, K1Z 5K9