Giving Thanks

Though Thanksgiving is a North American tradition, we at JBFC think taking time to stop and reflect on what we are grateful for is important regardless of regional boundaries. We are thankful for our healthy and happy children, our JBFC team, and our countless supporters around the world. You mean the world to us! 

Reka

"Firstly, I am thankful for my sponsor. Secondly, I am thankful for Massawe (Seth) for teaching me basketball this year! Third, I am thankful for all of my teachers - BIG THANKS!"



Veronica Lucas

"I am so thankful for my sponsors for helping me until I graduate Form 4. And I'm also thankful for Brunswick for putting solar electricity in our home."

Neema Mathew

"I am thankful for my sponsors for paying for everything like my school fees and food."






Rose

"Thank you to JBFC for taking care of me and everyone who has supported us. Thanks to everyone for keeping us from bad things."

Leticia

"I am thankful for surviving. But I am most thankful for having so many visitors this year and for my sponsors."







Nyamisi

"I am thankful to know a new game - basketball. I am also thankful for graduating Grade 7 and for passing my exam!"

Zai

"I am thankful to have learned a new game - basketball, and I am thankful to all my teachers for continuing to give me knowledge."

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

We are so thankful for YOU!

Staff Spotlight: Mr. Kidapanda

Editor's Note: To continue our Staff Spotlight segments, JBFC would like to introduce our supporters to Mr. Kidapanda, the head of Joseph and Mary Secondary School.


How long have you been working at JBFC?:

I have been working for 2 years now. This is my second year.

What is your position at JBFC?:

I am the Head Teacher of Joseph and Mary Secondary School.

What are your responsibilities at JBFC?:

Being the Head of Secondary School, I have two things to do - teach in the classroom (I teach English), and supervise the teachers while accomplishing their teaching activities. Also, I overview the school discipline for both teachers and students and I give daily progress reports to the administration. I'm the middle man to take the information from the administration to the teachers and vice versa. This communication promotes unity between the teachers, students, and administration.

Why did you want to be a teacher?:

I decided to be a teacher in 1983 when my English teacher inspired me in the way that he was teaching. In that year, some of the students in my class came to me asking some questions and I found that I really enjoyed teaching. While answering their questions, I was using the blackboard and my classmates were saying that they liked my handwriting and so did my teacher, so after that I had the responsibility of writing on the blackboard during class time.

What is your favorite part of your job?:

My favorite part of my job is teaching English, especially Literature, because I relate past situations and compare them to present realities in our society which catch my attention. There is so much that we can learn from the past to make a better future. I feel happy when my students are engaged in my lessons, answering questions, etc. That makes me feel like I'm doing a good job.

What is the biggest challenge you face with your job?:

The biggest challenge that I face in my day to day activity is when the teachers fail to perform their activities at their maximum standard. I make meetings to remind them about the importance of quality education. Another challenge I face sometimes is the students' attitude. Some of them don't really like coming to school, and it takes a lot of time and effort to keep them engaged and make them understand the importance of education.

JBFC Trunk Show 2016

 It’s getting to be that time of year when our U.S office is filling up with treasures large and small! We’re approaching our Fall Trunk Show, one of our fundraisers each year, where we sell all sorts of handmade items from Tanzania. Volunteers and staff spend months carrying these hand-selected items back to the states from Tanzania, but as the Fall gets into full swing, things start to get crowded! We find ourselves searching for storage space for all kinds of items ranging from large baskets, to toys, to jewelry. Each year we have some of our fan-favorite items, but we also select and search out brand new items to offer.

One of the greatest things about our Trunk Show is that we are helping not just JBFC, but also many partner organizations throughout Tanzania.

We love ordering items from Shanga, an organization that employs Tanzanians with disabilities to make all sorts of beaded and fabric items, as well as hand blown glass products from recycled glass.

We’re thrilled to work with Aid Tanzania this year as well to offer some beautiful hand-beaded items, especially a variety of ornaments. Aid Tanzania works to encourage the development of cottage industry amongst the Maasai women. Over 110 women have been involved in this past year, generating income for their families by making these wonderful beaded items.

Of course, the woven baskets from WomenCraft have been a favorite for many years running. WomenCraft employs over 300 women who make stunning woven baskets that can be either functional or artistic pieces. The organization facilitates sharing these women’s beautiful craftsmanship with international markets. WomenCraft aims to ultimately be artisan owned and operated.

For the first time, we are excited to offer JBFC Kanga aprons, hand sewn by our tailor, Edwin. He also makes school uniforms, staff uniforms, napkins, quilts, and repairs the girls' clothing.

And lastly, it wouldn’t be complete without a few special items made by our JBFC girls. Look for ornaments and art pieces this year made by our residential girls.

Our Trunk Show will be held November 16th from 4:30-8pm at Holland Hall Upper School here in Tulsa. This is an opportunity to showcase the beautiful skills of local Tanzanian artisans, empower those who are supporting their families by creating these pieces, and of course, to help JBFC to continue to pursue our mission to change lives in Tanzania, one child at a time. If you’re near Tulsa, we hope you’ll stop by and say “Hi”, have a glass of wine, explore the many treasures, and maybe even get your holiday shopping done early!