Tumaini Trinitarian Article - 3-25-2020 One hundred thirty-nine participants, including many Trinitarians, attended the Tumaini Fund USA annual gala at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club on Saturday, February 15, 2020 culminating a week visit by Tumaini founder Dr. Susan Wilson. It was a fun evening with entertainment by the Delou Africa drummers and dancers. More than thirty beautiful close - up photographs of African animals were provided by Richard Steedman, a well-known photographer friend of Doug Burke in Hilton Head, S.C., and the proceeds of the many sold that night were donated by him to Tumaini. Those pictures, the hand carved African animal napkin holders for each place setting, African animals created from palm fronds by Heidi Quist and other decorations added to the charm of the venue.

 

The amount raised at the event to support the orphans and widows in Kagera, Tanzania was more than $100,000. Fund a Need donations included $25,000 for 5 shallow wells, $34,500 to construct 23 houses, $2,500 for 25 bicycles, $5,000 for education, $1,150 for 115 mosquito nets and $1,000 for 100 solar lights. One again, a Trinity couple deserve a very special recognition for their support of Tumaini’s effort to bring clean water to those villagers in Kagera. This year they provided the money to build an additional 10 shallow wells, so crucial in helping to save lives which otherwise might be lost due to water borne illnesses.

 

The application for a $86,000 Rotary Foundation Global Grant for Phase 2 of the water project in Karagwe, Tanzania received the last remaining authorization from the Tanzania Rotary District Foundation chair and was submitted to the Rotary Foundation for review on Mar 2, 2020. Pending approval by the Rotary Foundation it is expected that work by Water Mission-Tanzania to complete an expansion of the existing water supply there could start in early July 2020.

 

Donations of more than $1,700,000 have been received in the 11 years since Tumaini Fund USA was established by Trinitarians. Those funds have provided clean water, decent housing, primary, secondary and university education and much more for tens of thousands of orphans. Trinity has led the way for all those years in responding to the human need in Kagera by loving service through their donations, Sewing for Hope efforts and overall support of all Tumaini functions.