THANK YOU

I got a phone call from Pastor Chris today, saying he has already received a lot of checks with my name on them for our trip so I absolutely can go. YAY! I hope that also means that someone's out there checking my blog (yeah, I know I haven't posted much exciting stuff yet, but I'm trying...), even though I haven't heard anything from you guys. Please, feel free to leave comments, even if you don't have an account. Actually, more than "feel free." I'd love to hear from you, to know that you're keeping up with me. I'm pretty sure you can leave them as "anonymous" and sign your name at the bottom so I know who to reply to.

I turned in my application for Dobson Funding. I still can't figure out if this is a USC-only thing or not, but either way, they give a matching grant for USC students participating in longer-term community service projects. Dobson is one of the few places that actually encourages working with faith-based initiatives and organizations. So we'll see how that goes. It'd be nice to get half the money right-off like that. It'll make going to Ireland much easier.

I also got an appointment to get my immunizations. So be thinking of me on 21 February. My arm will be sore, but I'll be hyped.

Well, responsibilities call--got lots of homework to get done this weekend.

Working Itenerary

Maymester 2007 Visit to Tanzania

Tue. 15.5: Arrive in Dar es Salaam.

Wed. 16.5: Leave Dar es Salaam for Iringa.

Thu. 17.5: To Magoye.

Fri. 25.5: Leave Magoye for Morogoro.

Sat. 26.5: Drive to Arusha.

Sun. 27.5: Worship in Arusha.

Mon. 28.5: Tour of the LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge or Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.

Tue. 29.5: Game viewing in the NGORONGORO CRATER.

Wed. 30.5: Visits around Arusha.

Thu. 31.5: Kilimanjaro day hike.

Fri. 01.6 Transfer to the Kilimanjaro International Airport.

The Tanzania Project

Several years ago, Lutheran Campus Ministry at Clemson got a grant to build several houses with Habitat for Humanity. The first was to be built in Clemson by the Lutheran High School Youth of the South Carolina Synod. The second was the Clemson habitat house. This build was to be organized by the Minority Student Council at Clemson. The third was an MLK-house. The plan also included a phase of fundraising for a fourth house. This was to be built in the Southwestern Diocese of Tanzania. Unfortunately, Habitat is not currently building houses in this area. Nonetheless, the South Carolina Synod planned a mission trip to the Southwest Diocese.

Last summer, my father (Chris, or PC), mother (Laura), brother (Smith), aunt (Tricia) and several others traveled to Magoye, Tanzania. There, they did build two houses (known locally as "orphan homes") for reconstructed families where orphaned children were being cared for by their grandparents or older siblings. These houses were built with mud bricks which the community had made by hand and dried in the sun. They measure 13 by 22 feet. Construction of homes of this style costs a mere $2,000, including the metal roof made possible only though the gifts of LCM-C. This team also helped the community to lay a new water supply line to a village that had no ready access to potable water.

At the invitation of Bishop Mbwilo, I have been blessed to become part of the team to travel to Magoye from 14 May through 1 June this year. So far, the group includes nine students, two Professors, PC, and Bill King, the Lutheran campus pastor from Virginia Tech. We will be building two more Orphan Houses while attempting to establish a Habitat for Humanity Affiliate in Magoye. Representatives from Clemson University's Department of Education will help establish a new library at the Matumba Secondary School. We also have hopes of beginning discussions of founding a teacher's College in Magoye. Clemson’s Chapter of Engineers Without Borders has decided to make Magoye one of their long-term projects. The 2007 team will be investigating water quality and supply. We are interested in seeing what might be done to address the lack of electrical power.

Supporting the Project:

None of these ambitious projects would be possible without the support of donors. If you are interested in seeing these efforts move forward, please consider making a gift.

Checks should be made payable to: Lutheran Campus Ministry-Clemson
and mailed to: PO Box 1337, Clemson, SC 29633
Please note on the memo line: “Kat-Tanzania”

This is a gift to a Church, so it does meet IRS standards for Charitable Contribution. Your cancelled check will satisfy IRS for gifts up to $400. If you are a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, your gift might qualify for a 50% match. I would be happy to supply more information upon inquiry.