A LIGHT IN AFRICA
"Go forth and let your light shine before men, that they me see your good works..."
A Light In Africa is an Non Government organization operating tirelessly in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and beyond.
A Light In Africa, founded by Lynn Gissing, has helped thousands of children in crisis in its 20 years of love and devotion to children who have had very difficult lives out in Tanzania.
Operating its numerous childrens' homes and outreaches, supporting the local community at large, including the local medical facilities,
A Light in Africa is such an important part of the lives of a great many children.
Currently guardian to over 150 children across 5 homes, the dedication and love of the founder affectionately known as Mama Lynn and the hard-working team, is providing a family home that is changing the course of each and every life blessed to be a part of it.
January 2025
Greetings from across the miles, to all you amazing, kind-hearted, wonderful friends who have so blessed the children and community of Light in Africa here in Tanzania. The ‘matching’ love gifts that our dearest friends once again have initiated, and you have so unstintingly given, have already made a difference in the lives of the children and some local poor people.
But first… I thank God that Joan Coleman, who manages our financial accounting and these updates from the USA and has been such a dear friend to us, has unfortunately had to spend time in hospital last month but is now fully recovered. I am saddened that this year she will not be coming over to visit us as her immune system is just too delicate to risk any infections.
Just to start my New Year updates with a little ‘giggle’, I thought I would just pass on some of our children’s quips: ‘Mama, when you are up in the clouds in an airplane, is there a road and traffic lights??’ ‘Mama, you have all these waves down the side of your face, why?’ My reply.. ‘They are called wrinkles, my love, and each one of those waves is about my story living here in Tanzania with all of you children.’ My very first baby I cared for is twenty-five years of age this year, the first wave on my face is about his story.
An older boy was asking a five-year-old little girl who her father was. (As she had come into care as a baby, she did not know her father.) No answer. He repeated the question to her. ‘Who’s your father?’ Her little face puckered up in desperation, searching for an answer to a question she could not reply to. ‘Who’s your father?’ The boy once again repeated the question in an exasperated tone. With a triumphant smile on her face, she turned to face him and said proudly, ‘God is my father!’
Over the last few years, we have grown either ‘catfish’ or ‘Tilapia’ from ‘small fry’ of 3” long and grown them over the year just so our children’s homes can have fresh ‘fish and chips’ on Boxing Day. Not so, this year. They all were eaten by a KENGE, which crawled up from the river and managed to get under our security net, and ate all of our fish, and then couldn’t get out again. Our dogs were going ‘ballistic’ at the harmless intruder. So, from October of last year we have lost pigs, chickens, and now all of our fish. I pray in this New Year of 2025 we can now start all over again. Our pineapple and passion crops were exceptional this year, and it was sheer delight to see the children enjoy passion juice drink and pineapples slices, all grown without any chemicals or additives just with ‘rabbit poo tea’ fertilizer. Our new crop for this year is cocoa, so we are busy building trellises along the whole wall so we can grow this chocolate crop.
THE WELL
Christmas Day and the phone rings, and when I answer, I can hear ‘screaming’ and loud ‘whoops’ of joy. After eleven months of obstacles and huge boulders in the well shaft we were digging from the matching funds of last year all came to fruition. The ‘diggers’ had found water on Christmas Day!! The mamas no longer have to walk eight hours with their donkeys to obtain ‘dirty’ river water to feed their stocks and use for household chores. I have to be honest, I did not think it was going to happen after this length of time, but these mamas had the faith and resilience to keep believing that they would find water. And they did!! The Headmaster of the school will open the security cover early in the morning, close it during school time, and open the well again in the evening. What an amazing blessing that your funds have provided for the Maasai community,
BAPTISM
Water for the farm animals is always a problem. We are so blessed to have purchased the land next to a river where each week we place a water pump into the river and ‘pull’ out the river water to fill our 5,000 litre tanks which the stockmen use each and every day. I always have in my mind the drought when the river ran dry, and it was a ‘major’ herculean task getting water for our stock. At the same time some of our older children were requesting to be baptized, but where could I hold it? The fishpond that we had used previously had been re-built to hold all of our fermentation pig food.
With the wonderful ‘matching’ donations that we have this year received; I have spent a little under $1,000 to build a small swimming pool where 19 of our older students were baptized in the pool. After the sacrament, and guests enjoying the food, the pool became full of bodies and screams of delight. Thank you for our pool and the joy that you have given to our children. The Treasurer is very happy as all the children in the homes will now come to the pool and learn to swim instead of the expense of taking them to a hotel. Bless you all for the pool. (The pool also could be utilized for water storage if we had another severe drought.)
Seven further children have been admitted this month into our care. We are desperately looking for a rented home to use. The new house that we had been hopeful to rent is now out of the question. We were advised not to sign a contract as the landlord was not a good person and he had three homes which were un-occupied. So, the search continues, and the children still praying for a new home.
OUT-REACH MEDICAL
Good news for the little boy who had a large tumour removed. He has had a check-up and does not have to return to the hospital for a further six months. A mother with young children arrived to see me last week in desperate pain and despair. She had a back molar in her mouth which was causing her pain, and her face was swollen. After paying for a CT scan the diagnoses was cancer. Without your funding, I would not be able to offer help to this mama. Once again, thank you from my grateful heart. I could write lots more, but I don’t want the updates to become too boring and for you to think my life, now that I have ‘waves’ on my face, is one of peaceful retirement!
Abundant Blessings to each and every one of you.
Mama Lynn – staff and children of Light in Africa Children’s Homes
Nov. - Dec. 2024
Salutations and Christmas greetings to all of our wonderful friends who have supported our children and the community throughout this year.
Our gratitude extends to our dear friends in America who have once again showed their belief and commitment to Light in Africa by organizing the amazing ‘matching’ challenge. Bless you all for your ‘love gifts’ which allow me to continue the work that God intended me to do, twenty-five years ago, in helping His children and suffering souls.
I would have liked to say dear friends that the disasters that occurred in October came to closure in November, but sadly the saga’s continued also with the loss of more pigs/hogs and chickens.
I was sat on my fold-up chair enjoying the peace and tranquility of going along the rows of tomato plants and removing the bottom leaves when ‘Kuna’ one of my German Shepherds dogs spotted a chicken that had escaped from the coup. That was enough for him to charge down the row knocking into my chair as he streamed past me to chase the chicken. The chair collapsed, and I fell on my back. ‘Kuna’ noticing what he’d done, and quickly losing interest in the chicken, returned and if to say ‘sorry’ placed his full weight across my chest and started to ‘lick’ and ‘wash’ my face most thoroughly whilst ‘plum pudding’ my six-year-old, grabs my hand with a now broken thumb and tries to pull me up. I look up to the heavens and ask God if he is videoing this scenario for us to watch and laugh about in a future time? He didn’t answer.
From the beneficence matching donation that we received in January 2024, we have been able to help with so many medical surgeries, medical treatments, school fee’s, clean drinking water and education for the school in Maasailand. No words are adequate to express our deep appreciation. One only has to think of the child with the large tumor on his face, what a wonderful gift for him to have surgical tumor removed – paid for by you - and for it not to be cancerous.
Another 1-year-old child has been admitted this month into care with sickle-cell anemia. We now have two children with this illness, and it is medically costly, along with our terminally sick child with Spina Bifida who has to regularly attend the hospital for her catheter to be changed.
On your behalf, I received a gift of five wholesome bananas from the grateful mama whose child with Encephalitis was able to attend the hospital in Dar es Salaam and have the necessary treatment that saved his life. It is a precious thing to watch this mama love and care for her child with such devotion.
Thank you each and every one of our friends from around the world. A special mention to our family friends in London, who have for many years now, so unstintingly have provided sacks of food for our children to eat each month. Your contribution has grown many children to adulthood. Bless you all. Enjoy your families and festivities knowing that everyday people are praying for you with grateful hearts.
May the spirit of Christmas fill your heart, mind and souls with light, peace and joy and to know intrinsically that the best is yet to come.
A story that I wrote in the book was about our very first miracle, when I was living 6,000’ on Mount Kilimanjaro. I was given a referral letter from a leader to accommodate three mother and fatherless children who were living with their alcoholic grandmother, they were all painfully thin and I thought the little baby with an extended stomach, and matchstick arms and legs was about three months of age and would probably not survive. He was actually fourteen months of age and could not even sit up. Our amazing staff pampered and cajoled him until his legs were strong enough to hold his body weight. But, my oh my, did he have an attitude problem. He would spit or lash out at anyone who came within reach of him.
Over a year later the weight that he had gained started to drop off him, and I took him to the hospital where I was told he was terminally ill and that I should let him ‘Passover’ peacefully. His family visited and said their ‘goodbyes’; he was now unconscious with a weak pulse. I held a service in my bedroom with the staff and his siblings then stayed up all night praying over him. At 5 am I called for a carer to come and take my place beside the cot and to not disturb the child, who was still unconscious, whilst I visited the bank and purchased some food stuffs.
On my return to the center, I dropped off the shopping and went straight to my bedroom. The cot was empty. A clean white sheet covered the mattress. My heart sank, and I started to pray for Francis’ soul. I walked slowly out and walked towards the dining room when I looked up from praying, and my mind could not relate to what my eyes was seeing. For there was Francis sat at a plastic table, sat on a little plastic chair, with a plastic spoon in his hand, spooning one mouthful of food after another into his mouth from a plastic plate. The news spread like ‘wildfire’ that a child who should have died was now alive. The Giver of Life also did a re-make of his personality, and he became a loving child with a deep love for the Lord which is still apparent today.
It was with sheer joy and happiness that the Treasurer and I travelled to Dar es Salaam especially to congratulate this ‘miracle’ child Francis on his graduation at becoming an Engineer. How does this all work? Except for a spiritual intervention from the Giver of Life.
Abundant Blessings to each and everyone of you reading this update.
Mama Lynn – Staff and children of Light in Africa Children’s Homes.
August 2024
Happiness is free, but priceless
The month of August 2024 will be remembered as a month of extremes: from hosting a group of students from Kibaoni Primary School in Maasai land, to organizing a most ‘spectacular’ party for staff and children, to making it just in time for a new baby to arrive in our family--this month has brought a time of great joy and priceless happiness.
Environment-Responsible Education for the Maasai Students
At the opening of the new school kitchen and water supply I promised the older school children that I would provide a coach for them to visit our Chemical Free Farm and Piggery and for them to glean information on water harvesting and Perma-Culture principles. I was also pleasantly surprised that the water tank that we had filled and was hopefully going to provide clean water for the whole school for 100 days when filled to capacity, was seen to have been used in a responsible way. So, dear friends, for just $100 for 100 days the whole school drank clean water instead of contaminated water from the river. Thanks to your Christmas funding, we have managed to help so many children and their community.
We divided the children into three groups and changed the groups every 50 minutes. The vet was on site to inform all the children about our piggery, another group was touring our vegetable areas, and a third group was preparing lunch from the vegetables taken from the garden. The teachers appeared very attentive and were delighted to haul stalks of heavy banana into the coach for all the children’s lunch the following day at the school.
I hoped the experience would increase the Maasai children’s mind set and show them a ‘different’ way on how to water harvest the little rain that they receive and instead of placing five maize seeds into one hole would understand it is one seed for one hole. The children also planted seeds in their plastic cups to nurture and later plant the trees at their school.
A Life Saved 20 Years Ago brings a New Life to the LIA Family
Jane was brought up by Light in Africa’s Children’s Home since she was 10 months of age. Her mother had locked her in their mud/stick hut and abandoned her. Neighbours heard her screams as she crawled into the smoldering fire. Her father, who was a poor farmer, was called and found her badly burned. He brought her to me, and I rushed her to the hospital for medical treatment. Jane stayed with us and grew into a lovely young woman. She was educated and trained in her chosen profession and then came back to be a staff member with Light in Africa. She has one child and was delighted to learn that she was expecting another baby. With two weeks before her expected due date, and no symptoms, and as I was travelling to the hospital to take a child for surgery, I ‘off the cuff’ suggested Jane should travel with me to the hospital. Thank goodness she did--eight hours after our arrival at the hospital she delivered her little boy. Mother and child are both doing well.
Spectacular Party!
The most unusual request that I have ever received was to organize the most ‘spectacular party’ the children and staff had ever had. So, with a ‘chunk of money’ I started the planning of this most ‘spectacular’ party. We met our friends from the USA for the first time who had arrived in Tanzania two days prior to the party date and had so generously made this suggestion and provided the funding. The Light in Africa Board members explained to our guests all that we had planned and what they should be prepared for--especially the fact that the Maasai were planning something very special for them. I did have words with our Maasai Chairman that our guests could not take a cow, or a goat, or any chickens back on the flight with them!!!! But would they listen to me?!!
All the children were in high spirits when our guests arrived for the party. Our four guests were led to chairs in the center of the court, and Chairman Vincent started his ‘thank you speech’ for the help the guests’ funding had made to the Maasai community. Our guests were dressed in Maasai shukas, and to my great surprise, the men were presented with the Maasai Warriors’ highest honour of a Rungu stick (which basically is to hit your enemies over the head with). The ladies were presented with a basket of Kilimanjaro coffee beans, and I could relax again when no cow arrived.
After the service it was the sports. The staff started it off with the egg and spoon race and then the sack race with all the children cheering for their staff members. Then it was the Tombola raffle where everyone received a gift (even if it was a ‘booby’ prize of a toilet brush). Two very large cakes – one with the American flag and the other with the Tanzanian flag-- had to be cut up later and taken to the homes for consumption as the children were too full from the feast where they were able to just help themselves.
The surprise for the children was when a local gymnastics team came along and performed their many stunts, even a child standing on a piece of wood with nails in it. I have to admit that I prayed the children would not try these fantastic bouts of agility as I watched some of our children trying to copy (I just have to say Hilda). That should bring a smile to our past volunteer faces. And then it was the ‘water fight.’ Our four wonderful guests were highly entertained by the antics of staff and children alike as each tried to pour water on the other. A wonderful, memorable day, to replace some of the bad memories and pain that the children had previously been subjected to.
From Mama Lynn, staff, and children of Light in Africa.
June - July 2024
The Uhuru Torch of Independence was first lit on top of Mount Kilimanjaro on the 9th December 1961. It represents to the Tanzanian people a beacon of hope where there is despair, love where there is enmity, and respect where there is hatred.
Fifty-three of Light in Africa’s disabled children must have wondered what on earth was happening at their home as a ‘flurry’ of personnel invaded Honeycombe House and were actively changing their environment. Decorators were busy hanging materials of the national colours from the balconies – flower arrangements were being carefully displayed, social workers were ensuring that everything at Honeycombe House was picture perfect for the arrival of the Uhuru Torch of Independence which we had been privileged and honored to have been chosen to host.
Forty plus vehicles with a police escort arrived at our gates. Geoffrey Mzava (in charge of the torch) along with the District Commissioner the Hon. Fakj Lulandala and local dignitaries and leaders of Mirerani Township arrived to witness the daily work that Light in Africa has been involved in for the past 24 years -- saving and caring for children with disabilities.
Crowds gathered at our gate just to catch a glimpse of the proceedings as our Executive staff members welcomed the torch and the torchbearers. They explained that LIA was operating five homes in the area-- from a home for abandoned babies, to young toddlers, to boys’ and girls’ homes along with the disabled home. All the essential medical care, education from primary to advanced level, and all the welfare needs are provided for the children to ensure that they have the opportunity to grow in all areas of development. The staff were thanked and encouraged to continue the wonderful work that they are involved in helping the community care for its most vulnerable of children.
As Light in Africa is a non-denominational organization we are able to care for children from all walks of life and religions. We were recently blessed with the Muslim community providing ten goats for our freezer as they celebrated EID. The meat has lasted over four weeks with a saving on our weekly meat bill.
We are delighted that one of our young men who we have raised from a very abusive family has just passed to go to University. The career path that he has chosen is either to be an Immigration Officer or an Agriculturist.
I wrote in January that we had received so many more children into care that we were ‘stretched at the seams’ with a list of children waiting to be admitted. With this in mind, and in faith, we are expanding to a new district where all of our girls will be moved into a new rented home close to two new schools that they will start to attend on Monday of next week. We shall close Fleeze House, the home where the boys have lived for over twenty years, and they will move into the girls Gideon House. So, it has been a pretty frenzied week from entertaining the Uhuru Torch and now moving 94 children into different homes.
JUNE UPDATE ..............................America, here I come!
Prior to leaving for the USA, I felt particularly weakened and wondered if I would have sufficient strength to endure the month-long trip with its speaking engagements and travelling commitments. I decided to claim and pray into Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me - (KJ) I was so pleased I did.
On arrival at Kim, Brian, and London’s lovely home in Newport Beach, I had a ‘cuppa’ and ‘crashed’. The couple had prayed that I would visit the USA, and their prayers were answered in a remarkable way. I was so exhausted from the long flights that I slept through two earthquakes of 3.5 and 3.6 magnitude on the Richter scale. I guess you could say that I had announced my arrival in America!
It was wonderful to see Jessica again who had flown in from Florida just to meet up with me. Jessica had been one of our returning volunteers until she married and now has two lovely girls. She took me shopping!!! I had never experienced anything like it before!! The booth that I was in looked like a dress and shoe shop with lots and lots of variations of different colors and sizes. What a wonderful and exciting day it was for someone like me, who lives very basically, and very rarely buys any clothes.
The following day we arrived at Helga’s house for an afternoon tea with a group of ladies, and some more of my story telling. And then it was off to the Queen Mary for an overnight stay on the ‘grand old lady of the seas.’
Next day it was a presentation and tea at my dear friend’s home of Paul and Sue Ellen who kindly initiated the ‘matching’ funds at Christmas and to meet with their two sons and daughter. The Holy Spirit was very present as I spoke, and one person I know had to go and hide in a closet as she was experiencing ‘fits of laughter’.
I was able to re-new my friendship with Kelly Bennett who is a well-known TV presenter and publicist with her organization called < www.BennettUnlimitedPR.com>who promoted the book that I had written and was now eager for me to get started on the next one and then promote next year.
On Sunday it was a church service at St. Andrew’s which always brings me great joy to hear the orchestra play such beautiful music. In the afternoon it was off to Scottsdale in Arizona to meet up with Lee and Nicole and their girls Ava and Rory who had many years ago adopted one of Light in Africa’s boys. Now Gifti is all grown up and enjoying success in the boxing ring. Then it was off on a train ride to see the ‘big hole’ of the Grand Canyon.
Lee had a working relationship with a gentlemen called Tony who through Lee, and the adoption process, had his interest in LIA piqued so he decided to take a two-hour flight to come over and speak with me about the work that I am involved in. After a couple of hours in discussion we then had a lovely lunch at a restaurant with Lee and the family.
A harp playing in the background, afternoon tea in a beautiful garden, fresh strawberries and cream with wonderful hosts, Patti and her husband--I sat and thought “this could easily be a taste of heaven”. Thanks to each and every one who made it such a perfect day, and one certainly for the memory box.
A presentation at St. Andrew’s bible group, which is the church that Joan Coleman attends who does such an amazing job in editing and posting all of my updates and arranges any donations to be forwarded into our account each month where donors are able to claim tax relief through her 501(c)3. It was a great time to meet and chat with the ladies all about the work of Light in Africa Children’s Homes. Pastor Julie and Elder Andy were present and we recalled the night a mini-typhoon hit the center and a tree fell on our car with a staff member inside. Thank God, a night like that has not been repeated!
Agoura Hills is where the driver dropped us off next to meet my dear friend Joni Erickson Tada who has a global ministry on disability. Joni has been wheelchair bound since a swimming accident in her teens left her a paraplegic. After lunch we made five videos together encouraging people to ‘get involved’ in volunteering; it is a great way to help change lives and have a positive experience. As a painter by mouth Joni kindly signed her book for our children.
Sincere appreciation to Joan’s husband Mark who entertained me with frequent meals at his golf club (the fish and chips were absolutely delicious) and all the wonderful people who hosted me in their homes and ‘fed me’.
Thank you to each and every one of you who made this journey such a blessing. ‘True friends are never apart, maybe in disatance but never in heart.’
A quick stop-over in the UK was to attend Mary Clark MBE’s 70th birthday party and to meet with her sons and friends who have supported my work for many years. This was my first party that I had attended in 29 years with like-minded people, so it was much appreciated.
Then back to a wonderful welcome from ‘Plum Pudding’ and the boys, girls, and staff who were all eager to see what gifts I had brought them. And then, it was back to work the following day.
May 2024 Update
The fruit of your own hard work is the sweetest. Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana. The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness. Your life is the fruit of our own doing ….. Deepika Padukone
Dearest friends of Light in Africa Children’s Homes,
I am writing this month’s update from Newport Beach, California where I am being kindly hosted by Joan and Mark Coleman, their daughter Kim and her husband Brian. It has been 10 years since my last visit to the USA. I have tried to visit on two previous occasions, but it was not to be—it was not God’s timing. But after an awesome answer to prayer, I am once again enjoying the thrill of meeting all my old friends again and making new ones as I tell life stories of the children and miracles that occur as we work with the most vulnerable of children in our everyday life in Tanzania.
First, I want to bless and thank you all for the matching donations which have allowed me to help “little John”, the 3-year-old boy with the enlarged tumor on his face. We were grateful when we learned after the biopsy that it was not cancer which had previously been diagnosed….Prayer works. He has now had his surgery, and although there is scarring on his neck, the overall picture of a flat face where the tumor has been removed is wonderful to see. His mother was delighted and very grateful for your help for her child.
Joel, the boy with crooked legs who came into our care suffering from Ricketts, a problem from severe malnutrition, was trying to play football with the other children when he fell over and broke his leg. For $500 we were able to find an orthopedic surgeon who was able to place a metal rod in his leg. We are hopeful that we can do the same to his other leg after his recovery so that he can walk straight. A great outcome from an unfortunate injury.
I started the piggery two years ago with just ten 3-month-old piglets to help our un-academic disabled and able-bodied older children to learn a life-skill. God has blessed the work of our hands ‘mightily’. We were shocked and surprised to see ‘Miss Amy’ give birth to a large litter of multi-colored piglets including a totally black one, beside the mosaics! Questions ensued not only from the children but the stockmen as well as to “how is this possible when all our piglets are pink?” I felt like I was back giving lessons on the birds and the bees…such is the fabric of life and the melting pot of colors.
From Mount Kilimanjaro this month one can see the harvest of banana stalks piled high on lorries for distribution throughout the regions. The bananas are now ready for eating or for making into delicious culinary dishes. This month is called ‘ladies month' as due to the bountiful harvest the ladies are able to save some funds for the childrens' education and perhaps even a new dress! On our farm we grow red, green and yellow bananas for the children’s diets, which are high in protein.
More next month about my visit to the USA and the UK when I return to the children and Tanzania on 8th July.
Thank you all and may God bless you—always.
Mama Lynn, staff, and children of Light in Africa Children’s Homes
March - April 2024 Update
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO LIVE: YOU CAN LIVE AS IF NOTHING IS A MIRACLE. YOU CAN LIVE AS IF EVERYTHING IS A MIRACLE...... Albert Einstein
Dearest friends of Light in Africa Children’s Home,
In just 9 months Tanzania’s climate has gone from a severe drought to intensive flooding with many souls losing their lives from roads being washed away to mudslides destroying lives, homes, and crops. As I write this belated update we are experiencing torrential rain. Our celebration to open the new Kibioni school kitchen had to be postponed due to the road being under water and our vehicles could not get through to the school, hence the delay in writing the update. Our staff are busy with packing and cleaning as the disabled children are preparing to be moved to a new location with the landlord demanding an excessive amount of rent which we could not pay. More on the move in my next update.
This month your ‘matching’ blessing which we received has paid for two operations. One operation was for one of our teenagers, who I will call Miss Pringle, who could eat box after box of crispy potatoes. She was admitted to hospital for an operation on her ‘weeping’ belly button. The second operation was for one of our retirees who arrived late at night in great pain and distress: after medical diagnoses she received an operation to remove a very large hernia. Our reward was nine avocados and a bunch of bananas from a very grateful widow. Thank you for your support. Little John, the boy with the swollen face, is to have surgery to remove the swelling after the trial of injections has failed. Prayers please for this little three-year-old who will also have to undergo plastic surgery. Your funds will also pay for Little John’s operations.
The children of Cannon Peter Hall Christian School in Grimsby, UK were very active making and selling items to raise funds for our children’s benefit. We thank the staff and the children for caring about us and our needs across all those miles, and I hope sometime in the future to be able to come to the school and thank you all personally with some letters of appreciation from our children.
With the purchase of 200 plastic mugs and a huge plate of food the children were overjoyed at our celebration to open their new school kitchen. With clean fresh water flowing from the poly tank and with the help of a Government Education Officer we declared the kitchen opened for use. Maasai mamas who had to walk many miles to fetch water from the river for the builder to construct the building, received a ‘thank you’ gift of $10 to their great delight. On your behalf, we received a gift of three small chicks and two young goats. We were blessed indeed.
A MIRACLE IS GOD DOING WHAT ONLY GOD CAN DO. (Even if that means using a 5-year-old child): I was busy washing-up some pots at the sink, when Plum Pudding who was lazily laid on the sofa reading a book said, ‘The puppy has a ‘dodo’ in his mouth.’ I turned around to look at our two 4-month-old German Shepherd playfully bouncing around the room. Neither appeared to be in any distress so I returned to the pots. Five minutes later, Plum said, “God says” the puppy has a ‘dodo’ in its mouth. I dry my hands, pick up a puppy, open its mouth, and see a piece of cow bone stretched right across his mouth blocking his throat. ‘Oh, my goodness’ please, quickly go Plum, and fetch the vet who is looking at a pig on the farm”. By the time the vet arrived I had a pair of pliers waiting for him and he carefully extracted the tight bone along with a piece of meat which was attached which would have been hanging down the pups throat.
Amazing God.
January 2024 Update
ABHOR THAT WHICH IS EVIL, CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD. Romans 12:9
Dearest Friends of Light in Africa Children’s Homes,
We have started the New Year with an unprecedented number of new children being admitted into our care. From the police bringing two children who were abandoned at the side of a road, to 6 more being brought in by the social welfare dept., plus twin boys of 19 months. This has resulted in two of our homes being filled to capacity, and the search is now on for two more rented homes for our children, and more certificated staff. The carpenter is being kept busy making 11 new beds & cots. We have well over 150 children now in full-time care. LIA can only approach these new demands due to all of your generosity in giving funds for these precious children. Thank you.
Angel, the little girl from Iringa with Sickle Cell Anemia has just received medical treatment for her organs which are sadly being affected. Little John, the boy with large face tumor, does not have cancer according to his biopsy. Treatment by injections had to be delayed due to a low blood count and his malnutrition. He returns for treatment in 3 weeks. Stella. a little Maasai disabled child whom we have cared for 10 years, died this month. Our staff are feeling particularly saddened by this event as they feel her loss. For me, I know she is now without pain or distress smiling into the face of Jesus.
THE KIBIONI SCHOOL PROJECT:
It is always a delight for me when we welcome returning volunteers to LIA. Paul, who visited last year with Tegan and did an awesome project, brought along for the ride this time Daniel & Michael who all work for Ultra Furnishings in the UK.
We have had problems with the well as twice huge boulders have stopped the workers finding the water so desperately needed. A dynamite charge is going to be placed to blow the huge boulder which should allow the water to flow. Until these problems have been resolved, the Maasai mamas have had long exhausting journeys to the river to bring extra water for the kitchen build. The 5,000-litre poly-tank which will hold the clean water for the school children is already on the site. The roof is now on the kitchen, and the windows and the security of the site is next.
And now for some text and photos from the guys about their volunteering experience helping to demolish the old school kitche & the walls came tumbling down…..
TANZANIA VISIT: January 13-23, 2024
Tanzania… what a place, what a country, what a people, what an experience! From swimming in idyllic pools to knocking down an old “kitchen” ready for the building of the new one, to camping in the Tanzanian bush. I have had the absolute best experience of my life so far and I truly believe everyone should go help Light in Africa Children’s Homes. Just from the 10 days I spent there I have too many stories to include here.
Seeing all the children’s homes really puts things into perspective how lucky we are. Life really is a lottery, but with the help of LIA those unlucky enough not to be born in a well-developed country with well-established health care systems and abundance of food, they can live a happy life and not need to worry about where their next meal will come from or when if they could see a doctor.
Mama Lynn is a force to be reckoned with and if she makes a promise, she will see it through at all costs. The other mamas, Shazma & Gudilla who are just as strong, have made the experience and it was amazing to see how they always put the charity first and do all the can to help the needs of the children. Special ‘shout out’ to Moses, the chef extraordinaire, who provided much enjoyment always coming up with some challenge or other in the downtime we had.
It was a special experience, and I WILL at some point in my life return to further help out this brilliant charity.
PS.. Now I have seen the pure size and scale of Mt. Kilimanjaro I definitely want to climb that one. ….Paul, Daniel & Michael
November 2023 Update
Sometimes, we become so busy in our daily lives that we forget to smell the salty sea!
Dearest friends of Light in Africa Children’s Homes.
It was raining quite heavily, and whilst out shopping I received a call from a caregiver that a 40 ft security wall has collapsed into a river. “What river?” I ask astounded. “We don’t have a river near the house.” “We do now!” replied the carer, and the line went dead. The first photo shows the collapsed wall and the surging new river. That night water started to drip through into the children’s bedroom from the flat roof of the house that we had rented for seven months. Three days later the second bedroom also had water pouring through. It was time to evacuate before the roof collapsed. I tore up the two-year contract in disgust that we had been rented a sub-standard house that the Landlord knew very well of all its serious problems.
But first…. to answer some of the questions that I have been asked about my month-long trip.
Q. Was it very uncomfortable for you in a tent at your age?!!! This was a two-edge sword. Yes, I did have an aching back in the mornings, but I would suggest that you all throw away your gym tickets and go camping, as I was really so much fitter on my return to our homes with crawling in and out of the tent and using muscles I had forgotten I had.
Q. What was your happiest memory of the safari? Undoubtedly, when Plum Pudding agreed to be piggy- packed on Mo’s back in the pool. It was sheer joy after all the trauma he had experienced from being thrown into the deep end of a swimming pool. He arrived home desolate and very upset when my other children vied for position to tell me all what had happened at the pool. He changed from his school uniform and fell asleep on his bed. On awakening he came to tell me that Jesus had sat on his bed and said “he had to hold his hand like this (he demonstrated to me) and that Jesus had said, not to be afraid”……what a loving experience from a loving God.
Q. What was the worst thing?
A. Looking so forward to eating a chicken pizza only to find the base had mushed carrots instead of tomato, and finding two small pieces of chicken, and being so hungry I ate it, complaining at every mouthful of how ‘horrible’ it was.
B. The second was ‘liquid’ brown water coming from the shower head at the cheapest hotel that we stayed in.
C. The third was drinking a ‘doctored’ watermelon juice and not leaving the hotel until the effects had worn off.
Q. Would I do the trip again? Sure I would! What is a little discomfort if it means 200 + school children have clean drinking water, and the Maasai mamas don’t have to walk 8 hours a day to fetch contaminated water from the river. From the trip we have raised sufficient funds to dig a well for them so their cattle won’t then die in a drought. Definitely a positive. Also, I was impressed that the Maasai leadership had a Lawyer write a letter to government leaders to say ‘how can they expect a 7-year-old child to walk 30 kilometres a day? They need a hostel for the children, or they have to break the law and not send the children to school. Impressive.
And now for the update on the three more serious cases we brought to the hospital in Dar for medical treatment. Angel, shown with her father, was found to be suffering from Malaria and undiagnosed Sickle Cell Anaemia—a very serious condition. She is now on a monitoring program for this illness and living under LIA care--another life saved. Jackson’s heel was on the front of his foot. He has had three plaster casts on and off and an operation to straighten his foot. Tumaini was the young girl that I believed God wanted me to help. When she was one year old someone poked a stick in her eye, and for fourteen years she never received any medical intervention. She was taken to the surgical theatre and two surgeons for one hour tried to make a pin hole through the muscle that had thickened and covered her eye. Sadly, the operation failed, and the surgeons could do no more. But……. Jesus the great healer has plans to heal this child’s sight. Everyday our children and I are praying for Tumaini’s sight to be restored. We believe in prevailing prayer. Will you join us ?
When the group of Maasai saw the Indian Ocean for the first time there were “shrieks” of delight and amazement. The following day they came to the hospital carrying 4-liter empty containers, (where they found them, I have no idea) and Moses was ‘urged’ to stop the car to allow them to fill them. It was really something to see this group of Maasai, shuka’s ( material) flying in the wind, running down the beach and straight into the sea. It was so thrilling for them. We take so much for granted we sometimes forget to smell the wonderful smell of the salty sea. On our return from six weeks of hospital appointments, I am given the request from a desperate father to help his 4-year-old daughter. The little girl has been diagnosed with cancer and is desperate for an operation. Funds from the matching donation will help this little girl receive the operation that she desperately requires. Thank you.
In March 2024 we are going to open up our farm and piggery to volunteers who wish to learn farming life-skills. These volunteer places are limited to 10 per month, and the volunteers will work beside our staff and trainees on life-skill and survival training. Families are most welcome.
Thank you, dear friends. May your Christmas time be full of love, joy, and happiness as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Remember: The best is yet to come.
Mama Lynn - staff and children of Light in Africa’s Children’s Homes.
Safe Haven Hostel Project
Fundraiser
The Aim
To raise funds to build a shelter for the Maasai children who have 30 kilometers of dangerous paths to walk each school day, on an empty stomach.
The shelter will allow them to sleep over during the week instead of doing the daily trek.
Funds raised will also be allocated to build a school kitchen which Light in Africa will manage to feed a further 200 students.
A translation of a video of one of the girls.
"My name is Halayna Thomas and I’m studying at Kibaoni Primary School. I’m walking 30 kilometers each day to school and back home. I’m staying hungry the whole day from morning to evening. On our way to school we can see some wild animals like elephants, hyenas, leopards—but we have never been attacked, only chased by elephants.”
Inspiration for the project
We paid a visit to Kibaoni school recently and found that all the food we had previously donated was now gone and the children were not receiving any food at lunchtime.
No crops have been planted as the rainy season did not arrive in the bush lands.
On our return, we sent a vehicle with sacks of food from our store to last them until Xmas.
Project Outline
Travelling a 2,000 kilometers journey for one month around Tanzania, wild camping along the route with 10 different Maasai tribes.
Going from Dar es Salaam to Mtwara along the Malawi border - up from Lake Malawi, then Dodoma to Arusha.
Our Team
• Moses - Driver / Chef
• Maasai Steven - who has worked with me for 23 years
• Maasai Doudi - who will help me to take care of one of the children from LIA, affectionately known as "Plum Pudding"
Would you like to help?
If you feel that you can support the building of a shelter for these Maasai children,
you can donate by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Thank you.
"Our actions speak louder than words.."
CONTACT US
Get in touch with A Light In Africa to discover more about our work and how to donate. We thank you for your support.
+255787378058
For Donation processing enquiries please email enquiries@sharetanzania.com
Getting ready...
"Plum Pudding's" essentials for a 1 month safari trip….
a pair of pajamas, his Mister Men collection, stool and lego table, with a paintbox and coloring book thrown in for good measure. We’re traveling light!
Go. Do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with you.
SAMUEL 7 : 3 (The word given from the Bible for this trip)
For my two Maasai travelling companions on this epic 2,000 + Klm. journey around parts of the perimeter of Tanzania and ‘wild camping’ with the local Maasai tribes, it has already proven to be a ‘mind - blowing experience’ for the pair.
Practice sessions at putting up the tents was a bit of a challenge - until practice proved perfect!When the Maasai Chairman of LIA Childrens’ Homes, Vincent Songoi and LIA’s Secretary Gudilla Maria, who arrived to wish us Bon Voyage stayed for an evening meal, for Doudi, it was the first time he had sat at a table to eat with women present - in Maasai culture the men eat separately from their wives and children.
A month’s supply of stores was stacked onto the Subaru carrier and it was off to Dar Es Salaam Christian Fellowship for prayers over our trip, and our final photo of family members all together.
My next blog will be in 4 days’ time when we re-charge our batteries.
Until then,Mungu Akurbiricki.
Take a Look at the trip so far...
The journey continues...
Psalm 91……I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress; My God; in whom I trust.
What an amazing adventure this safari is turning into.
We arrived late at night at this small town and found there was no camp site so we had to look for budget accommodation.
In the morning, I enquire if we can speak with the local leaders and the landlady rings them to come over to the Lodge to speak with us. When the two leaders arrive I ask if we can help in any way. He nods enthusiastically and we all troop into the car. He takes us to a home for the disabled child and a Primary school. We speak with the teachers and I tell them how I would like to help the children by providing worm tablets and for them to have a head wash followed by head medication to eradicate a parasite. To calm any fears the children may have I give each one a lollipop. I then proceed to wash the heads of 53 students of varies disabilities. The teacher informs me that there should be more students in her school but because the family cannot afford the school fee’s or the school uniform so they keep the students at home and they receive no education.
I am kindly offered the meal that the children are having for lunch, ugali - made with flour and water - and beans. I ask Mo to go to the market along with the leaders and purchase sacks of fruits and vegetables. At least I will know that tomorrow they will be able to have vegetables with their ugali and beans followed by a variety of fruits.
The teacher tells me that the blind teacher who is sitting on a chair cannot teach his blind students anything as he has no teaching aids. I am also shown four children who require orthopaedic assessments to see if corrective surgery could help them to walk. I assure the leaders that if, when the story is published, and anyone should want to support the medical treatment of any of these four children, that I would contact him and arrangements would be made to bring the children to Dar es Salaam for treatment.
Our next stop is a long drive through the Livingstone Mountains 166 miles with no petrol stations or accommodation, so we set off on this long leg of the journey. Twenty miles in, Plum says; “I can smell peanuts roasting”. “Me too” I said and Mo pulls the car as best he can off the bend where we have come to a halt. The fan belt has ‘snapped’. What to do? Mo gets on a motorcycle and goes back the way we came. We ask permission from the Wayawe tribe if we can push the car into their encampment, of which they agreed. That night, Mo cooked for over thirty children who sat in absolute amazement as the tents went up and gas was lit to cook the food. They munched on biscuits and lollipops whilst the food was cooking, these children were
going nowhere at the promise of a cooked meal. Two days later having supported the tribal leader we were back on the road and arrived late at night at Songea. Hoping to take a shower when I turned the water on it came out brown mud!!! Oh well, back to the wet wipes!
Liumba Massai Encampment
Psalm 91 v 5 - 6…… Prayer of protection….. He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shalt trust: his truth shall be your shield and buckler. You will not be afraid for the terror at night; nor for the arrows that fly by day; nor for the pestilence that walkers in darkness; nor the destruction that wastes at mid-day.
MO’S EARLY MORNING JOKE…..”Mum, cup of tea for you”. I stretch out my aching back and move to open the tent flap sufficiently to grab the cup. I reach out my hand to take it from him but he steps back. I open the flap wider and I am ‘shocked’ to see a group of children staring at me. “Theres about twenty five children waiting for a head-wash, I think they have heard that you’re giving away juice and biscuits” he said jovially as he handed me the hot cup of tea. And that was the start of an unimaginable day.
As usual, Plum Pudding is my demonstration doll, as I show the attentive crowd how I am going to wash their heads and apply the medication. The mamas watch closely and the leaders and Morani warriors sit at the back of the Maasai mamas - just in case…It was whilst I had a teenage girl across my knee giving her a head scrub that I hear this ‘small still voice’ in my mind tell me ‘This is the one I want you to help.’.
When the girl of about 12 / 13 years stood up she looked at me and I noticed her right eye was focusing on the corner, totally cross-eyed. I complete all that I had in mind to do and call for the girl with her mother to come to see me as I gleamed information from them. And that is when it all started….. By the time we drove away at noon we had the girl with the eye problem, a child with a ‘club’ foot, and the Chairman’s son with a breathing problem, arranged to catch the coach next week for me to take them to the Agha Khan hospital in Dar es Salam and 4 more cases with their carers who followed us on a three hour journey by coach to Dodoma to visit the Poly Clinic the following day.
Two girls I was concerned about I was told was ‘spitting’ up blood (could this be cases of undiagnosed TB), 1 boy had a permanent headache and deaf in one ear and 1 lady had given birth 1 month ago and couldn’t walk as she was in so much pain.
After an exhausting day of tests we find that the two girls are not coughing up blood, just spitting so it is not TB. One girl needs her nose cauterizing as it won’t stop bleeding, and the other girl was given medication to try to stop the flow. From the boy’s ear the doctor removed a ‘foreign’ object which he had had in his ear for well over a year, now he can hear in that ear. The mama who had given birth had to have X-Rays and see a consultant who prescribed medication for 1 month; she has to return in one month’s time. And that was my day with the Liumba Maasai in their remote encampment.
Only God could have organized for us to be led off the beaten track to this camp and to be able to help this tribe. And only your ‘love gifts’ and support of Light in Africa’s Children’s Homes allowed me to help this tribe and pay for their treatment. Thank you and God Bless you all for your support.
P.S. I asked Mo to take a photo of this 12 year old boy with his knife in its scabbard. I was intrigued to find out why! This small in stature boy I was told, is responsible for taking care of a herd of over 100 cows to find grass and water, and in the forest they regularly see a lion each week and other wild animals. If the lion should take one of the calves of the herd, this boy as a growing - up Morani Warrior is expected to protect the herd and slay the lion…..
THE END OF A MOST BLESSED SAFARI -21.10.2023
PSALM 91:7 (Prayer of protection) A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked…..
THE ANNUAL GREAT BIRTHDAY PARTY OF LAUGHTER & JOY
“We made it”….safely without any major traumas, thank God! The staff that I chose for the safari and to do God’s will worked very well together as we each had our specific roles to play. Mo turned 23 years of age whilst away, and Doudi’s wife gave birth to a baby girl. “Plum Pudding” was an amazing asset to our safari as when stopped by the traffic police and firmly fixed in his car seat, as the officer approached the driver’s side window, Plum was already greeting the Officer to get his attention with his “Shikamoo Officer”, or “Shikamoo Mr. Policeman”, which straight away opened up the conversation as to ‘where are you going’? which ultimately lead to a wave of the officer’s hand as he bid us goodbye, with a large smile on his face.
The absolute stunning scenery that we passed through will remain in our memories for ever. Tanzania has everything; from beautiful pristine beaches to Africa’s highest Mount Kilimanjaro that thousands of tourists climb each and every year. But it is the people that make this country so attractive with their warmth and their tolerance of different religions.
BIRTHDAY PARTY
When we arrived with the security gates fully opened for our arrival, the children’s excitement was quite palpable and much cheering ensued, followed by rows of garlands strung around my neck. It was a celebration like none other. All the staff had worked so hard to ensure we all had such a wonderful day, and I’m so privileged to work with such wonderful people.
THE WORD
Before I left for the safari - to make sure that I am accountable - I had already informed friends that there was someone whom God specifically wanted me to help. That turned out to be a Maasai girl who has one eye in the corner of her eye socket. The need expanded with a 3-year-old with a club foot, and a girl with a breathing problem. On Sunday, 5th Nov., they will make a 12-hour journey to Dar es Salaam to go the following day to the Agha Khan hospital for examinations, which I feel sure will result in scheduled operations.
THE PEOPE WE HAVE HELPED…
On our first day, a young woman with 3 children being cared for by her grandparents, asked for help. Our staff has done an assessment and has found the family are indeed in great need. The nine and seven-year-old children have never attended school as the family could not afford to buy school uniforms. Enrolment at the local school has taken place, and all necessary expenses will be paid for by Light in Africa Children’s Home.
In our endeavour to help with ‘Plum Puddings’ aqua phobia we visited The Old Boma at Mtwara which is an oldie worldly hotel offering 6-month training sessions in Hotel Management to local students. Maria one of my older girls is making an application to attend the course in Jan. 2024……..and after many aborted attempts to get Plum into the water, your prayers has resulted in success! Yipeee….
Fifty three head washes with medication and tablets to remove worms from this disablement school where we also purchased a large number of fresh fruits and vegetables to enhance their diet. An involuntary stop for Mo to replace the fan belt ensured that the 35 children in the encampment of the Wayawe tribe received a nourishing meal. At the encampment of the Maasai Laumba tribe is where the Lord wanted us to be. A five-kilometre drive down a mud road is where we were led. A further 35 head washes and worm tablets ensued, and then the real work began. Two girls with persistent bleeding noses, a boy who had lost his hearing over a year ago and was experiencing headaches, and a women who had given birth a month ago and couldn’t walk without pain. The patients and their carers followed us to the main city of Dodoma where we put them all up in a B&B (showed them how to use the flush toilets) fed them and the next day took them for treatment. The following day they returned home. Their gratitude for the help that God had given to them resulted in a prayer time.
WAS THE SAFARI A SUCCESS?
Yes, indeed it was. We have in January, Paul and two other colleagues coming over from the UK to knock down the old school kitchen, and funds for the re-build will be available.
DO THE MAASAI MAMAS WALK TO A RIVER TO CARRY WATER BACK ON THEIR DONKEYS, A JOURNEY OF 4 HOURS THERE AND 4 HOURS BACK?
Yes, indeed they do. What are we going to do about it? We are going to dig a well!!! With the ‘love gifts’ which have been received from this safari, we will have sufficient funds to dig a well with local contractors (not by machine) and this will give sufficient water for the mamas not to have to walk to the river or give their children contaminated water. But this well water which we will reach from the water table is very high in Fluoride, hence so many children with soft muscle issues, but it will be used for washing and give drinking water to their animals. (Steven told me he lost 20 cows to the drought, Doudi’s family 15 cows.). After the kitchen build, a wall will be built behind the kitchen which will house a high tower poly tank water container which will be filled by a water bowser making the long journey to the school and filling it with clean drinking water. The only access to the wall will be through the kitchen so the drinking water is there for the school children to have clean drinking water with their meals and to be used for no other purpose.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SAFE HAVEN HOSTEL?
Whilst we were away, Madam President has been so concerned that families are placing their children in boarding school from a very young age and not taking responsibility for them, that she has issued a decree that no child can board under 11 years of age, so sadly that part of the project has had to be ‘dished’. What a wonderful solution to a dire situation.
Bless you all for your prayers and your support of this project. It is so special to know that we all have helped to ensure these precious school children have access to the most fundamental of life’s requirements by providing them with clean drinking water, a clean place for their food to be cooked in and water for their animals to drink.
Abundant Blessings to you all - from Mama Lynn, Staff and Children of LIA.
