Basic Needs Provided in Tanzania Villages

Children received Christmas gifts from Operation Christmas Boxes.

The year is 2011. A young woman goes to Africa as a volunteer teacher, training teachers in Morogoro, Tanzania. She had planned to stay for ten months, but she saw the vast need in the area. Not only was the need in education (not enough access to educational settings, not enough teachers, not enough training for teachers), but also in health care.

The young woman, Karah Germroth, ended up founding MOYO WA AFRIKA, based in both Tanzania and the United States, to raise the funds to help the local communities to meet their needs. But, unlike many other organizations, the needs and the ways of meeting those needs, is determined by those who live in the area, those who know the needs best, through their communities.



Once the organization was established, Ms. Germroth recalled an issue at the Arushani Kindergarten in Engaruka, Maasiland. Students were not really food secure, since there were times that there wasn't even enough food to feed them one meal in a day. That's when a project to establish a garden at the school, along with a rain capturing system was devised.

Ms. Gemroth discussed the plans at the time, "We expect that our project will impact the community as a whole by providing education on rain-harvesting and gardening that can be shared and used by others: the students at the school through providing healthy, diverse food choices; and the future students by helping the kindergarten program become more sustainable and able to continue providing early education to future classes." Now, with the garden a reality, it provides additional food sources for over 600 students.

Other programs include a girls' center, which provides housing and up-to-date schooling, for 35 girls, leading up to qualification for certificate programs that provide pathways to careers. A secondary school sponsorship program provides funds for more than 30 students to attend secondary school programs, that lead to higher education. Funding also allows those in need to obtain medical care, including surgery for four patients, vital medical treatment for 20 others, and eye exams and prescription glasses for 100 individuals.

Moyo Wa Afrika even provides the basics with its funding. If you remember back to when you were a child, you might remember how quickly you outgrew your shoes. It's no different in Africa; little ones need shoes. This organization began a Tiny Toes Tanzania program to provide shoes for these youngsters. Since it started, more than 500 children have received shoes.

Young children receive shoes.

Victories in this part of the world are counted individual by individual. It comes in the noting that a young woman completed an education course and went on to become employed, seven students passed a significant exam, a whole class of preschool students received shoes, two women received sewing machines for their home businesses, and a young woman received a school uniform that enabled her to start secretarial school. They all add up to a community doing just a little bit better.

This is Eliamani, who is staying at the Girls' Center while she finishes a day care teacher certificate program.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/karah-germroth-food-security-in-maasailand/; this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/moyowaafrika/about/?ref=page_internal; this page from Moyo Wa Afrika: http://www.moyowaafrika.org/what-we-do/; and the above link.

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Protecting Immigrants Through Organization And Expertise

ILRC distributes these red cards that tell immigrants what to do if an ICE agent comes to the door.

This has to be one of the most difficult times for those who are immigrants to this country, made even more difficult by a xenophobic president. Not everyone born in the United States shares those beliefs; we realize that most of us are here because some family member immigrated to this country. It's this constant input from new people coming over here and seeking better lives that has contributed to this country's development.

I am quite appalled by the hatred displayed by some who call themselves Americans and patriots. That gives me some interest in organizations, like the IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER (ILRC), which advocates for immigrants' rights, provides legal training, raises awareness of the issues, extends community outreach services.



Just recently, ILRC released two significant pieces of information. A report, The Rise of Sanctuary, has found a significant increase in the number of areas that provide some form of sanctuary, refusing to honor ICE detainers that violate constitutional rights. Specifically, it was found that 410 localities have strengthened sanctuary policies during the previous year. That makes a total of one-fourth of counties throughout this country refusing to honor ICE holds, which would cause local law enforcement to illegally jail any immigrant cited. Along with this report is an interactive map, which shows jurisdictions which follow and do not allow ICE detention holds.

Lena Graber, Staff Attorney at ILRC, explained, "When it comes to sanctuary cities, President Trump is bullying local electeds and law enforcement to comply with illegal requests from ICE. Trump's anti-sanctuary attacks are so baseless that the Administration has lost every court ruling so far on their unconstitutional attempts to withhold federal grants. It is the Trump administration, not sanctuary cities, who are violating the law and constitution."

Ms. Graber continued, "While 98 percent of counties have no official contract with ICE, there is a great opportunity in 2018 to strengthen and establish new policies that actually protect our immigrant neighbors and do not spend local resources detaining and deporting our community members. Sanctuary policies are a commonsense response to a political agenda rooted in racism and exclusion and a step in helping to keep more families where they belong - together."

The latest report from ILRC.

There are ten counties that are home to the most immigrants; about 30 percent of all immigrants live in those counties. Fortunately most of them have some sort of sanctuary protection. Sanctuary protections include refusal to release information to ICE about release from legal custody, laws prohibiting immigration enforcement, restrictions on inquiries about immigration status, and protections against interrogations by ICE. This information suggests that a significant portion of Americans value our immigrants and oppose separating families by ICE. We need to keep speaking up and supporting the protections that our local and State governments provide.

This poster is part of the advocacy and community awareness function.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/immigrantlegalresourcecenter/about/?ref=page_internal; this article on ILRC: https://www.ilrc.org/new-report-and-map-sanctuary-policies-strengthened-410-counties-across-country-2017-finds-immigrant; and the above link.

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Putting Lives Back Together, One Step At A Time

Raising money for a good cause - BOMFB members and staff.

Many of us have probably used the expression "back on my feet" at least a few times in our lives. We are meaning to say that We're back on track after a setback or have gotten up out of our sick bed and started to move forward again. For those without permanent homes, it may mean a large life turn-around, depending on the issues an individual or family is facing, whether it is drug dependency, sudden job loss, loss of pay, even not being able to afford the water bill.

Back on My Feet, the organization, started in Philadelphia in 2007; BACK ON MY FEET BALTIMORE (BOMFB)started in 2012. Participants are those who are already homeless, or who risk becoming homeless. They must be referred to the program by a referral partner. Once referred, members are expected to run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. In addition, they receive a wide variety of services, including job training, employment resources, community support, assistance in transitioning from shelter living to a permanent home. Most important is the emotional support, which helps to boost self-esteem, confidence, and inner strength to meet the challenges ahead. As CEO Katy Sherrott said, "Our members are an inspiration, they work incredibly hard in the Back on My Feet program and with our support transform their lives one mile at a time."



Baltimorean Tony Randolph made that commitment to BOMFB for 30 days; showing up at 5:30 AM for the designated 3 days each week. He discussed his decision, "I was at the end of my rope - using drugs at my Mom's house, on the verge of homelessness, feeling suicidal, just tired of myself. My nephew told me about the HELPING UP MISSION...It's a spiritually based program that helps with recovery for people who are broken. I was working in the kitchen, and some co-workers came in looking happy and joyous, and I decided I wanted some of that!"

Once he started the program, Mr. Randolph appreciated all of the support provided by other participants and staff, "[N]obody ever walks or runs alone, everyone starts and stops with you. From the first day, staff showed me they cared even though they don't know me...Running regularly at 5:30 AM gets you into [a] mindset of getting up and going to work, and repetition is good."

Cigna Foundation, one of BOMFB's partners, would go to Tony's residence with Helping Up and do blood pressure checks and other testing for both Mr. Randolph and the other residents. Tony started developing a new mindset about his health, causing him to "commit to my health and pay more attention to my heart, my head, and my feet - they're all connected."

And now, Mr. Randolph has moved along from the Mission. He now has a permanent residence and has his own landscaping business. He had some help from BOMFB in getting his driver's license and assistance to purchase his own riding mower.

Because of his hard work and commitment to his health, his continued participation in the running group, he has received an all-expense paid vacation to Disney World in Orlando. He was planning to participate in the Disney World 5K at the beginning of this month.

Members and other Baltimore runners ready to start a 5:30 AM run.

Mr. Randolph remains grateful for his chance to reclaim his life, "Life is great! Back on My Feet showed me I can do anything., and they gave me the confidence to do it...The confidence BOMFB has given me makes me a much better man and father, and I've gone from being someone you didn't want around to now being the Fred Sanford of the family - whatever you need, call Tony and he'll help you out." Really, what's better than reconstructing a life?

Members and other runners huddle before the run.

Thanks for information from this Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BackonMyFeetBaltimore/about/?ref=page_internal; this page on BOMFB, https://baltimore.backonmyfeet.org/program; this page on BOMFB blog, https://baltimore.backonmyfeet.org/blog/bal-tony-press-release-2018-0; and the above links.

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Trips To Provide Service

A group of volunteers assess some of the residents.

There are some villages in Africa that are so remote that their residents cannot get to needed health care. There are highly skilled individuals in this United States with knowledge of bringing health care and dental services into areas that need them. Match them up, and you get people who can finally experience a more comfortable life.

However, linking those in need with those who have the skills can be rather difficult. Pediatric nurse, Lauri Ruprecht had visited areas in Ghana where her services were necessary, with a medical mission, complete with supplies and other skilled professionals.  She started the AMERICANS SERVING ABROAD PROJECT (ASAP), to enable other skilled health care professionals to serve in these remote villages in need and to learn about the culture of those who live there.

Ms. Ruprecht explained, "Because it is very difficult to get to the nearest health clinic, people do not often go until they are very sick or not at all. These are areas where local doctors will not go. Sometimes they resort to spending money on traditional medicines which may in some cases do more harm than good."

In addition, ASAP brings medical supplies to local clinics and holds educational classes to teach the residents about such topics as personal hygiene. They hope to bring such equipment as iPads to local schools, so that students can learn about the types of technology available in other places in the world.

Some of the local village children, two with baskets loaded with food.

The organization is planning a trip to Ghana on March 2-16 this year. A planning meeting is to be held on January 14 in Syracuse. ASAP's projects for the trip include healthcare screenings, physical exams, lab testing, medications, treatment, and a care program for street mothers and their babies. Because the program also promotes cultural exchanges, participants will visit a market and craft village, try out drumming and dancing, and tour a castle known for slave trade. Participants are also responsible for their own expenses, and the trip costs $3,000. The trip promises to be both rewarding and inspiring.

One of the village families.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project:  https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/lauri-rupracht-americans-serving-abroad-project/; this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/americansservingabroadproject/about/?ref=page_internal; this announcement on ASAP: https://www.americansservingabroad.com/march-2018-mobile-healthcare-service-trip.html; and the above link.

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Monitoring Columbia River's Water Quality

An aerial view of the Columbia River watershed.

Many of us have had to admit, since the beginning of this year, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been gutted of its mission by a deliberately negligent leader. As that has become more apparent, our environmental concerns have been placed more in the hands of nonprofit organizations, to maintain the rehabbing of our major rivers, among the various neglected aspects of the EPA.

One organization that guards a body of water moving through several States is COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER, whose responsibility is the cleanliness and preservation of the Columbia River. Part of a national Waterkeeper Alliance, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., it was formed from a merger between Columbia River United and Clean Water Columbia. Its responsibility is the entire Columbia River, from its head until it drains into the Pacific Ocean, along with all of its living environs.



One of the functions of the organization is training more than 150 volunteers to monitor the Columbia's water quality at approximately 100 sites along the river. In their quest to maintain the river water's integrity, there were several water pollution threats detected, including toxic substances detected in sturgeons and water temperatures that were outside of standards set by the State and that affect salmon migration.

Since 2006, volunteers have monitored an increasing number of sites for conductivity, pH, water clarity, dissolved oxygen level, temperature, and e. coli level. In 2007-2008, volunteers monitored eight of the sites near Wenatchee for aquatic insects. By monitoring these sites regularly, Riverkeeper is able to respond quickly to changes that indicate a toxic inflow and can pinpoint the problem, so it can be fixed.

A trained volunteer monitors water quality at a designated site.

For example, in 2008 volunteers at the Indian Creek site detected an increase in e. coli, which was found to be coming from a damaged sewer pipe, that enabled the damage to be fixed. Throughout their time monitoring the river, volunteers have found that the mainstream temperature of 68 degrees in the summer exceeds the State standard. That temperature causes young steelhead and salmon to be restricted in size, more subject to disease, and more vulnerable to predators. Continued monitoring has also helped volunteers to identify some cool-water tributaries that could be restored into alternative sites more suitable to these younger fish.

By monitoring the river, volunteers discovered the water temperature too warm to sustain healthy steelheads and salmon.

In order to provide accurate monitoring, volunteers receive training from Columbia Riverkeeper and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. (DEQ). That helps maintain scientific accuracy and also performs a service for DEQ, allowing them to have data and report to their citizens the state of the river.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ColumbiaRiverkeeper/about/?ref=page_internal; this page on Columbia Riverkeeper: http://columbiariverkeeper.org/about-us/our-story/; this page on Columbia Riverkeeper: http://columbiariverkeeper.org/water-quality/water-quality-monitoring/; and the above link.

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A Talented Student From Annapolis High

Two student aides talk about a project with Principal Donald Lilley, left.

Let's check out one of the Maryland public high schools, ANNAPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL, to be exact, located in the State Capital. Interestingly, this high school has been in operation since 1896, one of the first in the entire State. Since that time, it has grown to accommodate 2,047 students. Among its programs is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, with a broad curriculum designed to prepare its students for university studies. In addition, there is a Performance and Visual Arts Programme for students with artistic skills and talent.

One of the students in the International Baccalaureate program is Mohamed Moneib, a senior. Because Mohamed was missing one of the usual four growth plates in his knee, his parents decided to give up their successful lives in Egypt and immigrate to the US when he was 5 years old. He endured four major and six minor surgeries to correct this defect.



In the summer of 2016, Mohamed volunteered with the same hospital's physical therapy department. He explained, "It was a pleasure to work with kids with similar disabilities." His now-corrected bone structure was thought to be "a pretty rare condition".

As a member of the National Honor Society since his sophomore year, Mohamed spends part of his Panther Hours (a lunch period split with study hall or club work) as a tutor with the math, science, and language departments. Just to show his capabilities in just one subject area, it can be noted that this talented youth is fluent in three languages - English, Arabic, and French.

Martin Noga, Mohamed's French teacher, said, "Mohamed is a remarkable human being and one of the few students I am always proud to call a true leader. He has an infectious personality that easily attracts people towards him. I can summarize Mohamed's personality as a true steward who always does things with humility, generosity of spirit and complete integrity."

Mohamed Moneib in front of the high school.

Both of Mohamed's parents have become naturalized citizens. His father is an insurance agent and his mother is an Arab language tutor. I bet they're both very proud of their son, too. Mohamed represents the caliber of student that we are all happy to have in the State of Maryland!

The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony.

Thanks for information from this page on Annapolis High: http://www.annapolishighschool.org/pdf/2017-18_Profile_AHS.pdf; this article by Wendi Winters in Capital Gazette: http://www.capitalgazette.com/neighborhoods/ac-cm-tow-mohamed-moneib-ahs-ib-20171125-story.html; and the above links.

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Mixing Urban With Traditional Dance

Batalo East participants at Bayimba International Festival of the Arts

As people around the world become more connected through the internet and smartphones, there is concern among local groups that aspects of their culture may become lost. Then, as those who remember their culture become older and die, those traditions won't be passed on to the younger generation, losing the unique cultural qualities of these local groups.

In order to get Kampala youth interested in traditional dance, Abdul Kinyenya enlisted the help of Breakdance Project Uganda and Tabu Flo Dance to combine modern urban dance with traditional dance. The concept of integrating both forms of dance came together in BATALO EAST, an organization which has been spreading this Afro-fusion dance within Uganda and internationally.



Mr. Kinyenya promoted the organization's work this way, "Batalo East is driving positive social change. In an open, constructive, and encouraging environment, we are speaking to young people who are growing up in a globalized world where there traditional roots are increasingly eroded."

The urban educational system was also contributing to the erosion of cultural traditions through lack of exposure. There was no integration of cultural traditions and arts into the educational curriculum, thus losing the learning opportunities presented in the educational system. This is where Batalo East really stepped in, utilizing the expertise of the professionals involved in its formation. Through various activities, such as dance jams, workshops, outreach, advocacy, collaboration, and a dance festival, this organization has been engaging youth and filling the gap in their education.

Back in October the monthly dance workshop was devoted to Nelayo traditional dance, which comes from eastern Uganda. Attendees got a chance to learn and apply the dance techniques presented into the urban dance styles with which many were familiar. By the way, these monthly dance workshops are open not just to dancers, but to interested members of the public.

Some of the youth who participate in the activities of Batalo East.

The Jams are offered on the last Saturday of the month in a studio space above the National Theatre. As with most of the sessions offered by Batalo East, Jams utilize one traditional dance tradition techniques and applies them into hip hop dance. Within the session, participants view clips of the traditional dance and discuss how these moves can be incorporated into urban dance with a professional dancer. Then in the jam portion, participants can experiment individually or in groups with the combination of traditional and urban dance forms. No particular skill level is touted, just a good attitude, comfortable clothing, and water to remain hydrated.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/abdul-kinyenya-batalo-east/; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bataloeast/posts/1529486497159471; this post on Batalo East:  http://www.bataloeast.org/project/the-equation-jams/; and the above link.

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