Hands On Tanzania Launch

By Maureen Mescall

On Saturday night April 28th Peadar Mitchell launched his film Hands on Tanzania at the Glens Centre Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.   This beautiful theatre was packed for the occasion, with family; Eddie, Michael, Ann Marie and her husband Max, many friends and relations of the Mitchell's from around the country as well as many of their neighbours;   many the builders who worked in Suji in November 2010 -John Clancy and Noel Murphy  Gerard Heverin, Tom Philbin and Enda Gilmartin attended.  Unfortunately Sean Murphy, Niall Culkin and Darren Maguire could not make it.   The Irish teachers from Suji were ably represented by Jim Lovett and Belinda Crossan.  We were sorry that Aine Staunton and Aisling Mitchell were not with us as both are now teaching overseas.   Aaron who is currently in Suji was represented by his parents; Kieran and Margaret and his brother Adam.

The film was launched by Peadar's cousin: Marie Conboy who also produced it.  It was good to see the film on the big screen and the big screen gave a different perspective from watching it on the small computer or tv screens.   Peadar was encouraged to say a "cupla focal" and was enticed out from his hiding place behind all the high teck gear.  We were all delighted to hear that RTE and TG4 have agreed to show the film but no date has been given yet.  It will also be shown at the Galway film festival in July.   We will keep you posted on the dates.  Peadar should be proud of the great work he has done on this film - it gives a very good idea of the building and work carried on by the Irish builders; the work of the five teachers during the academic year 2011 and the life of the people in the village of Suji.

Many of things things we saw on this film and which caused a little anxiety in the theatre, especially by the younger people in the audience where things in our not too distant past here in Ireland.  Those of us who are older, killed chickens, saw the pig  being slaughtered and suffered corporal punishment in our schools.  Our country has moved and we welcome that  very much, and we particularly acclaim the fact that corporal punishment no longer exists in our schools.   We can thank our educational system which allows us the opportunity to think for ourselves and decide what kind of society we want.   In Tanzania the people in the villages do not have the luxury of a good education, the lack of:  qualified teachers, transport, infrastructure, buildings make it very difficult.  The people in Suji and many other villages are cash poor and lifestyle rich.  All we can do is help in the educational sphere.

Everybody from the theatre, in true Irish tradition,  adjourned to Herrity's pub after the showing where we had sandwiches and some light refreshments!!!!!   Mr. & Mrs Herrity who were great hosts and had employed the services of some great Leitrim musicians for the evening.   As the music got loud so did the talk!  As time moved on we all spoke with grate authority on many subjects - such is the language of drink!

We hope Peadar has a great time in Suji for his return visit.  As well as the great work he will do teaching English to the children and the people from the village we hope he returns to us with another great film.

Well done Peadar and enjoy lovely Suji.

Some Pictures from the launch

              Peadar Mitchell with Ger Heverin

Ger again with Marie Conboy & Tom Philbin

                                                                            Ger, Peadar and Tom with Belinda Crossan

Maureen Mescall & Noel Murphy

John Clancy pointing to the poster "Hands on Tanzania" 

with Peadar and Noel

Godfrey Takes His First Step Toward Becoming a Doctor!

By Maureen Mescall

Godfrey Mwanache was a fourth form pupil in Suji Malindi Secondary School during the Academic Year 2011, while the five Irish teachers were teaching in the school.   Godfrey was one of those students with exceptional talent and also one who was very willing to study.  All the Irish teachers saw Godfrey's potential but Jim Lovett gave many hours of extra tutorials to Godfrey.   Both Jim's help and Godfrey's dedication have paid off, as Godfrey  is one of the 10% of eligible students in all of Tanzania, to get a scholarship to go into Form Five in the Government school "Kisarika School "  in Moshi.

This is a marvellous achievement as it is most unusual for a student from a Government school to get this scholarship.  Students with only Form Four certificates may not go to university.

Godfrey hopes to be a Doctor and no doubt he will become one as this young man has a lot of determination. 

It is still very expensive for a student such as Godfrey to take up this opportunity as he has to purchase clothes, shoes and  bedding as well as the bus fare.  Tanzanian Village Renewal were delighted to be of assistance in this area.   

We will keep you posted about Godfrey in the years to come and I am sure you will join me in wishing Godfrey  great success for the future.

Latest News about Suji By Maureen Mescall

Hello Again!   It has been quite some time since I posted on this site so I would like to update you on the recent as well as the forthcoming happenings.

As you are aware from other posts all the teachers returned to Ireland at the end of November 2011.  Peadar stayed on in Suji and continued to film different aspects of life in the village.  Following completion of the filming he edited about forty hours of film down to one hour.  He will premier this film Hands on Tanzania

in his home town of Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim on April 28th. 2012 and we look forward to seeing it and also to meeting up with the builders and some of the teachers who are in Ireland at the moment.

Aaron returned to Suji in Mid January 2012 to teach Mathematics for another year in Suji Malindi Secondary School.  He is also overseeing construction work on two classrooms at the moment.  Aaron is being sponsored by our charity Tanzanian Village Renewal and we are also funding the work on the classrooms.

                                       Aaron with Mamma Nardi and Mr. Nyange and pupils

  Work in progress

 
                                                     


New Windows and Door

Official Opening by Mr. Nyange

                                                              New Blackboard and light

                                                                     Really lovely

Aaron is also managing the soccer team in the school and we are sure he is a great asset to both the school and the community.

Peadar has decided to go back to Suji also and is returning on May 3rd. 2012 and will teach English to the pupils in Malindi Secondary, Primary School children and anybody from the village who wishes to learn English.  Peadar will be sponsored by our charity Tanzanian Village Renewal until the end of the school year 2012.