Day 39

This weekend still seems like a blur, mostly because I think I am getting the dreaded cold that has gone around the house in the last week or two. Also because for a second time this week so far, I did not sleep until the game started at 3am. Truth be told, I fell asleep in the third period, but nonetheless I was up for a good part of the night. After two beach days in a row, three delicious meals, a new karaoke place, and tons of geography quizzes, I can say that it's been a good weekend.

I am not yet halfway through my time here and I am already thinking about what I can do when I get back to Canada to maintain the relationship with the Boona Baana kids as well as help them get the most out of life. My colleagues and I (doesn't that sound proper) have come up with a few ideas already, so let me know what you think.

1. Pub/karaoke/bowling nights: Charge an entrance fee, sell drinks & food, raffles & games, simple and fun fundraisers with friends. Maybe even some dinner parties or backyard bbq's too.

2. Pictures: Every week, we have been asking the Boona Baana kids to draw something about their life (e.g. their happy place, their future, how they see the world, etc.). Some of the pictures are very revealing, others adorable, and all unique to who that child is. They are all so talented! Either selling them individually or making a book out of them is a possible fundraising idea.

3. Calendars: This is our big idea that we are so gung-ho about. I won't go into too much detail, but you'll want to pre-order one ; )

4. Individual sponsorship: If World Vision does it for thousands of kids every month, why can't we do it for the 5 at Boona Baana (I say 5 because 2 have already been fully sponsored). A good education is the key to overcoming poverty, especially in a place like Tanzania where a good education is hard to come by.

If we could get all five remaining kids sponsored for the remainder of their schooling (even post-secondary), that would be incredible! That is our overall, long-term goal. A couple of years ago, it was about $600/year for them to go to school. Now that most of them are moving on to secondary school, however, prices have gone up. But I think we can do it!