Rick was fortunate to have an opportunity to make a whirlwind trip to Tanzania in March. Much was accomplished and many old friends visited after a 2 ½ yr. absence. In addition to Matim PS, he was able to visit Lemanyata PS, Olkokola PS, Mukulat SS and Olturumet SS. Each visit was warm and welcoming with the teachers and students. As always, the needs are great in all the schools, and Rick promised that A is for Africa would try to meet some of those basic needs during the remainder of 2022 and into 2023.

We are proud to tell you that our donor assistance helped establish a woman-owned business in Arusha, TZ with the local manufacture of reusable sanitary pads. We met Ms. Rephrin Kombe several years ago when she was the country’s representative and lead trainer for AfriPads, a Uganda-based, woman-owned, company. Over the last 1.5 years Rephrin created her new company, ReePads. She hired staff and constructed a manufacturing facility ready to supply Tanzania with a locally produced product fully approved by the government. Rick and Mr. Lang'o had the opportunity to visit the facility. Rephrin said that this company was the work of many but on top of the list was the support she received from AIFA donors.

After a number of good years, supplies for our school lunch program were in need of replacement. Cooking pots and serving pots were high on our list of needs as well as hundreds of plastic cups for student’s daily porridge. Your donations purchased 1,550 new cups, storage containers, pots for cooking and serving which should last for several years. The children love their new cups (picture in the newsletter header) and the cooks’ love their pots!

Invitation to Mount Airy Middle School

We were so happy to be invited back to Mount Airy, MD Middle School after a 2-year hiatus due to Covid. We were warmly received by Mr. Chris Hynes, Principal, teachers and students who participated in presentations for the 6^th 7^th and 8^th grades. They have an ambitious plan to raise funds to support our work at Matim PS as they have done over the last nine years. Thank you so much Mount Airy Middle!

As we said in our last newsletter, we are pleased to partner with Unite the World with Africa Foundation on Project Green Matim. During Rick’s visit, the Unite Team met at Matim and started the project with planting trees and establishing a school garden. To see the enthusiastic participation of almost 200 students in digging the holes, fertilizing, and planting the trees was awesome. Work was also begun on preparing the area for the school garden.

If you would like to make a fully tax-deductible donation, you can safely do it here. Thank you!