As you know, we set a goal to raise $10,000 dollars to provide Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN’s), anti-malarial medication and test kits for the 6 boma of the Olduvai Region of Maasailand in Tanzania. We accomplished that goal. We sent 100 ITN’s medication, test kits, a medical team and provided basic community health skills to our friend on the ground in Oldupai Boma, Metwiy Sabore, in December of 2009.
Our intended timeline for rolling out the same services to the other 5 Boma of Kiloki, Ndemwa, Loongooku, Elerai, and Ngolola was early April. Dealing with manufacturers and service providers in an impoverished country half way around the world, trying to put plans into action, is not always a simple process. We found ourselves negotiating with A-Z Textiles, the provider of ITN’s, for a reasonable price, because we were in the peak of malaria season, and the nets had a premium. After much negotiation, we were able to get the nets for an acceptable and affordable price of $7 each. These nets will last 5 years. This delayed our deployment of the medical team and nets to our friends in the Olduvai Region until May.
As you all know, it was my intent to travel to Tanzania to particpate in the delivery of Nets, medications and test kits and to particpate as part of the field team. However, concurrent with all of this planning, one of our children has been diagnosed with a medical condition that has required surgery and follow up that did not allow for that trip. We could have waited a few months, but malaria was hitting the six Boma very hard and the Maasailand Health Project Board of Directors made the decision to send our on the ground partners, Terrawatu, into the field.
They were sent on May 18th. I have been in contact with our friend, my Maasai son, Metwiy Sabore. Here is a clip from his email:
Hi dad, hopefully your fine, we have completed the job. It was verry
>>>> good,
>>>> a lot of people has get tretment. And their are very happy with this, on
>>>> behalf of them i represent their thanks to you and your board
Am very happy to hear that you will fly to Tanzania on the end of the
>> year. It will be great to see you again. How is your child who were sick?
>> I tryed to send you some pictures but internet network was very bad it can
>> not attach. I sent vie post adress i scaned to the CD. I hope after five
>> days you can receive. Thank you very much dad, and our living God may help
>> you too in your life.
The goal of Maasailand Health Project is to assist our Maasailand friends in developing a plan of health care that will eradicate malaria and improve general health in these six Boma. We will continue with semi-annual field team trips, and continue our fund-raising efforts. Our Tanzanian Coffee through Princess Valiant, www.princessvaliant.com is an on-going fund-raising event. In four months, we have generated $929 in revenue through the generous partnership through Princess Valiant. We currently have approximately $1,000 in the bank, and the cost of a three day field mobilzation and medication will run approximately $3,000 every six months.
It is my intent to travel to Tanzania in October for the next field team visit. If any of you are interested in participating, please let me know. I would like to start planning for this soon.
I am grateful to all of you for your generous donations. Very greatful. I am humbled by our sweet, kind friend, our adopted Maasai son, Metwiy Sabore. He is working hard for us and for his people.
I will send photos and update our website when I recieve the CD in the mail.
I offer my sincerest gratitude for your kind donation,
Tom
