Project Origins

April 5, 2007

Everyone,

As you know, Tanzania Partners has been working towards a water project in Hedaru for months, but it takes the coordination of about 5 different teams of people over there, and working out the details and a contract has been slow.

The first $3000 for phase 1 was sent about 10 days ago, and finally received this week. We also finalized a contract which they will review and sign this week, so it is now definite. I think it is worth mentioning that this project was actually designed a few years ago, before our companionship, when another organization from Europe was working with them. They had all the surveys done, and it was all about ready to go when the funding was suddenly pulled, the European group pulled out, and Hedaru was left with a fancy plan and absolutely nothing done.

For this reason, they have been justifiably cautious with us. There is a history in Africa of westerners going in to help, but then pulling back out when the going gets tough, and the advice I was given was that they won't really believe you are there to stay until they see you show up the third time. THAT is when you will finally earn their trust. It's almost like an African proverb! I think it was a huge deal to raise the first money, and send it, and to plan our third trip in September, because they feel our commitment now.

So, back to the email. Hedaru phones have been down during the rainy season so we've had no direct email contact, but I've been getting a lot of communication from Todd Byerly in Same. Yesterday, he climbed the mountain to the intake site...the site of the first phase of the project. It was obviously a great day!

Please enjoy this as much as I did....YOU and your generous support is what made this happen!

- Sheri Krumm, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The next page has the letter we received from Todd!