It Can Be Done!

Departing Moshi, Tanzania

2009-02-25T14:39:00.000-08:00

It is the day before my departure and I leave with mixed feelings. I have made friends here, truly, that I know will be friends for life. Who knew... that half way around the world and in completely different cultural surroundings, connections of mind, heart and purpose could run so deep!?

This trip has been very successful, in ways that we did not anticipate. Friendships, organizational accomplishments with local ward and villages, shipping dilemmas clarified, tax waivers begun, assurances of safety at Parliament and Ministry government levels and a greater understanding of cultural and family histories, that still shapes decision making today... all are invaluable and key to implementation and sustainability of this Uru Water Project!

Our wonderful Mt. Kilimanjaro climbers and film crew, of course, accomplished AMAZING personal feats in their push to the top. I and countless others, in Uru and the USA, are forever grateful for their commitments and some very real suffering, to benefit this project’s fundraising efforts. Ranging in age from 19 to 72 years old... a needed correction of Mama Florentina’s age, by the way!... this group has truly set a standard of selfless service for collective good, that will reap benefits in the lives of many.
With thanks, may God bless them all.

We have received donor support from family and friends, pledging in the names of our brave Kilimanjaro climbers. Additionally, we are receiving donations through our WelIs For The Grandmothers program, in which donations of $2000. gathered individually or as a group, may be made to create a well. These Grandmother or Mother, Grandfather or Father, Brother or Sister wells, will honor our own loved ones who have sacrificed, worked hard or inspired us. Their efforts or ideals have made our lives better... just like the countless grandmothers and mothers who have carried water and sacrificed in Uru, working to sustain and improve the lives of later generations here. AGAIN, we celebrate the generosity of people, who hear of the needs of strangers and make their problems their own.
With thanks, may God bless them all.

ICBD faces some challenges still, in raising the remaining necessary funds to bring the first 25 bore holes into reality this August, as promised. We have all worked so hard and come so far, that I MUST believe the additional monies are on their way even yet, from people and hearts not yet known by us. I am looking forward, in this respect, to returning home to share more deeply of the wonders I have seen here, the possibilities and the great opportunities we have... to create something unimaginably important and lasting and real here!

Lastly, I bring with me stories written by the Uru children, of their challenges and hopes concerning water. I also have a precious ARMLOAD of drawings, that transcends our language barriers. These careful and loving renderings tell their stories with humor and truth, of their daily and life threatening dilemmas with unclean or no available water. Some of the adults have been so inspired by my invitation to share stories of water and Kilimanjaro, that they have formed a Storytellers Group and have begun interviewing ”the old ones”, gathering the folk tales of water and Kibo, the mountain, that are an inherent part of Uru’s ongoing story of Water and Life.

Before “the oldie ones leave us”, as Salome says, we are gathering the people’s stories to preserve for Uru’s children... and now the children of America, as well. Kilimanjaro is a world heritage and some say the beginnings of humankind are here, so these stories are OUR stories, too. And what I REALLY love, is that ICBD and the Uru Water Project, are part of this long and amazing historical shaping of life on Kilimanjaro now, too! With thanks, may God bless us all.

Barbara Joye

A Wonderful Weekend

2009-02-22T14:24:00.000-08:00

I spent the weekend at Kishumundu Secondary School, in the little house they have built for mujungu *European* volunteers. It was a welcome relief to be on the mountain and James Kiware, the Headmaster, and Salome, the school secretary, went out of their way to make me feel at home. They kept referring to the volunteer house as MY home... and laughing.

I walked into a small house with cement floors and a wooden pantry that they had stocked with fresh vegetables, mango, banana and lots of coca cola.... they joke about coca cola being American wine. The house sits at the back of the school, overlooking a deep ravine that runs with water during the “big rains”. It’s completely dry now.

Salome and I spent a lot of time together, cooking and talking. All meals are prepared fresh as there is no refrigeration. It’s really very healthy, but also very time consuming. Salome comes from a poor family, not that she’s complaining! She is a self made woman and really is one of the most resourceful and happy people I’ve met...ever.

She credits God with every good thing in her life and has worked amazingly hard to educate herself. She brought out every certificate she has ever earned... for computer training, red cross training and volunteerism and secretarial school. She had never shown them to anyone before and I was so touched, because I knew I wasn’t being shown just certificates.

These papers represented the best... and hardest... parts of her life. In the face of cultural challenges faced by a woman and real poverty, she kept working and praying and hoping and working more. She is a single working woman in a culture that still has a foot steeped in very old female roles of near servitude. She serves as a kind and active role model for the young girls at Kishumundu Secondary School, encouraging them to “Study, study, study...stand on your own two feet... education is the only way out of poverty and the only way to protect your future”!

She also counsels them “Do NOT take a bride price from your husband to be, so that he does not think he has BOUGHT you!” In traditional families, the bride’s family is normally paid a gift of cattle or goats or something relative to the groom’s financial status. Salome is one of those people, unlikely at first glance, who is really breaking through barriers of old thinking and cutting a path of equality for women in Tanzania... one student at a time.

I walked, or should I say CLIMBED, to Salome’s church with her this morning. I couldn’t understand the service, since I only know maybe a dozen Swahili words, but prayers and music translate into one’s heart universally! At the end of the service, the minister asked me to tell the small congregation about our water project. So I talked and Salome translated. (Yes, Salome speaks EXCELLENT English... it was one of her certificates!)

The very old women, in particular, were so grateful and excited over water coming soon! One of them bought me an ARMLOAD of fresh spinach, as a way of saying thank you. I carried it down the mountain, hot and tired from the heat but happy in my heart, to share the gift with boarded students at Kishumundu School.

Barbara Joye

The wheels are in motion!

2009-02-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

Some early rains have started, as a preview of the monsoon season to come, in March. Everyone prays for rain here, so it is always welcome. My own perspective has been altered and I don’t believe I can ever feel unappreciative of rain again.

I spent my morning revising letters for equipment permits and tax waivers. The Uru Ward counselors Evarist Momburi, Rose Temba and Stephen Mambaleo, are working overtime with me, to make sure our remaining time together is maximized. EVERYONE is thinking of nothing but water and wells right now. I have met with Dr. Chami, this area’s Parliament representative, two times now. I am learning more about Tanzanian politics and the working of government in these matters than I ever thought possible! I am surprised at how much I am enjoying this aspect, even with all the challenges of communication, cultural understandings and required learning curves! I think it’s probably because I am so grateful for this level of cooperation and so excited to see the internal mechanics of our project moving forward!

I keep telling everyone here it’s too early to plan such things, but they are already planning a BIG celebration for the first well that brings in water. Florentina woke me up last night, pounding on my door in her night gown. Dr. Chami had just called her, pressing her/me for a firm drilling date, because the President of Tanzania would like to clear his schedule for the dedication! Florentina could not stop laughing.

No one in the USA can possibly believe how important these buckets of water are to very thirsty people. I can only keep writing... and telling... and praying with these people and our friends at home... that we will all realize our common vision as planned.

For today at least, we are all giving thanks for the sound and smell and taste... of rain!

Barbara Joye

Sunday Church

2009-02-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

Mama Flo and I drove to Kibosho today, to attend a children’s mass. Kibosho is west of Uru and the church we traveled to had been built decades ago by missionaries. Its sanctuary rivals some Chicago churches in size and I marveled at the stain glass windows throughout. While it had all the familiar landmarks of a Catholic church, it was also uniquely African. Most enjoyable was the choir that sang most of the mass, acapella to an African drumbeat, with all their hearts and voices. I marvel wherever I go, at the passion and pride that the children in particular bring to everything they do.

This church also offers a primary school, and this is where Mama Flo attended school in her childhood. She shared some reminiscences with me, as we walked the expansive grounds edged by banana trees. One nun skeptically informed her that she didn’t believe Florentina would pass “Form 6” into Secondary school. In typical Florentina style, she responded, “that’s ok... I want to drive a taxi anyway!” That was a statement meant to shock the Sister, as it was the farthest thing from a typical female job that Flo could think of. It had the desired affect on the Sister.

But Florentina said the conversation also served to secretly motivate her. She was determined to prove this nun wrong and EVERYONE was shocked again when the parish priest showed up to inform the Sister that Florentina had finished FIRST in her required examinations, in all of Kilimanjaro. Florentina was cautioned, though, “Do Not Be Proud, Florentina... but you are going to Secondary School.”

And so, Florentina avoided life as a taxi driver... and the rest is history.

Barbara Joye

Some History

2009-02-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

I spent time in the Moshi library today, researching the Chagga people’s stories. Chagga are the people who live in Uru and they have a very rich history. They have always been peaceful - hardworking and committed to agriculture and family. The people here now are very interested in technology and education, seeing these things as a means of advancing themselves in the world.

The library was one more experience of how time has stood still here since British colonial occupation ended in 1961 and Tanzania became a sovereign country. The remnants of colonial times are everywhere, the buildings and homes still present but in ruin or disrepair, with little to no modern improvements. Apparently, there was no transitional effort when the British left, they simply picked up and went, when the new government was sanctioned. There was no effort ever made to work cooperatively as business people. When I asked about this, the older people themselves can’t explain it. If the British were fearful, which is likely, these peaceful Chagga people don’t understand it.

Many of the books in the library were from these times, with an absolute dearth of any more recent materials. In a country whose people prize education so much, it was one more heartbreaking realization of the long term effects... of short sighted politics and greed... and the resulting poverty. On the positive side, there were many young people in the library, studying quietly. They also fill the internet cafes here, anxious to be apprised of the world. They pay from 50 cents to one dollar an hour here, when they have the funds, to access the internet at these cafes.

Meanwhile, the village officials and local politicians are all highly motivated to work cooperatively with ICBD and one another, on behalf of the Uru Water Project. My challenge right now is too MUCH help... which is truly a GOOD problem to have! There is such HOPE here now, and for that, we are ALL grateful.

Barbara Joye

A Personal Safari

2009-02-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

In Tanzania, a “safari” is not only a trip to see big game animals. Its literal meaning is a “far journey”. So I returned yesterday from my “safari” to Tanga, a very old port city on the Indian Ocean.

As the drive is 6 hours to Tanga, I had a lot of time to reflect on the people living in this harsh, semi arid region. Hundreds of miles of near desert are framed by first the Usambara mountains and then the Pares mountains. I constantly wonder at the harsh conditions of heat and inaccessibility to water and at the strength and will of people to survive in these surroundings.

I saw huge acreages devoted to the growing of sisal, a crop suitable to hot sun and no water. Apparently Tanzania was the sisal capital of the world at one time, before the world market for it collapsed in the 1970s. More ancient and sobering history recounts this same road as part of the original ivory and slave caravan routes.

Because the landscapes and even everyday life have changed so little since these times, it is not difficult to imagine these caravans and the misery they exported. Just like the endless stretches of red sand and plant scruff, seeing into the stretch of history and the stories of greed built on human misery is not only possible, it is palpable. Its legacy is present still in the bodies and land of its descendants, calling for a spirit of renewal and freedom from the bondage that still lives in people’s minds.

An overnight stay in Tanga’s port area allowed Florentina and I to investigate regulations at the shipping authorities. After many conversations with various offices, we found our way to a clearing agent. This office will be our central contact for all paper work needed to have our equipment container clear customs, achieve tax exemption status and to be transported by truck to Moshi. We left Tanga with good information and feeling positive about our ability to achieve safe receipt and transport of the long awaited bore hole equipment, for Uru.

In our way, maybe, this water relief project will provide a small healing of old sins, by offering some freedom for the women here, who carry this society and its burdens literally on their backs.

May the dreams of women, their thoughts and talents be realized... through the gift of water... soon!

Barbara Joye

Life in Moshi

2009-02-08T07:38:00.000-08:00

I am based at Mama Florentina’s home in Moshi, Tanzania. While Moshi is a town... soon to be a city, officially, I am told... it still has all the characteristics of a third world culture. Mama’s home is in the “best” part of town, but is conversely referred to as Shanty Town. That is a GOOD name, here. She has added several out buildings since our visit a year ago, including a “cow house” with a thatched roof and three cows, for milking.

The electricity failed, again, yesterday. No one gets excited here. They calmly just light oil lamps and Matrona starts up the outside “cookers”, fueled by charcoal, to prepare the meals. We spent the evening sitting under the roofed deck, commenting on the nearly full moon, the possible early coming of the monsoon season, and sharing tales of childhood escapades. Mama Flo apparently was quite adventurous as a child, which truly comes as no surprise. Based on the tales, the only surprise is that she LIVED to tell the tales! My own tales of escape and daring pale in comparison to her life in Africa. But she seemed to enjoy them, anyway.

It has been cloudy and periodically rainy for the last two days, hence the talk of an early monsoon season. The rain is a very welcome presence here in Tanzania, bringing relief from the heat and hope that water will soon run through the dried up creeks and furrows.

All roads in Moshi, except for a few, very main thorough fares, are red dirt and quite rutted. When it rains, the roads become VERY slippery, and really quite treacherous up into the villages. Due to changes in weather and some other complications with local schedules, I will have to delay my walk of the proposed well sites in the villages. Instead, Mama and I, driven by Ephraim, will make our way to the port in Tanga today. It is an overnight trip and will allow us to make contacts and get clearer about shipping regulations. This is VERY important, as we will be charged storage charges if our container of equipment does not clear customs or does not begin transport within 7 days of coming into harbor! We discussed trying to take the bus, to save on costs, but in the end decided that the increased risk to ourselves and additional time spent was not worth it.

And so, we leave for Tanga, with prayers for a safe journey and connection to good people... who will play their part in Water for Uru!

Barbara Joye

Next Steps

2009-02-07T06:45:00.001-08:00

Our group of Kilimanjaro climbers has returned to America, each to their respective states and homes. I remain in Tanzania until February 26, to follow up on details for placement of the first 25 wells. This is a time of great wonder and gratitude. Wonder at the continued unfoldment of international cooperation and sense of unity through our common purpose. And gratitude for the safe return of our group from their great adventure up Kilimanjaro... and their success in raising funds and awareness for ICBD’s immediate relief water project for Uru. We are very much closer to meeting our plan to begin digging bore holes this summer!

I will continue to work through the weekend, going to the villages and walking the proposed sites for the first wells. We will be placing them at schools, clinics and community/church centers, for maximum immediate impact. I am looking forward to the walking... and climbing! Standing on the actual sites, beneath the canopy of rain forest with banana and mango trees and feeling the red earth beneath my feet, will bring this vision one more step towards realization.

While life is, without question, very difficult here, Kilimanjaro is a respite of beauty and a promise of life’s provision. The people gather fruits from the forests, grow gardens of vegetables, and cut grasses from her slopes to feed the goats and cattle. I will look forward to time on this mountain and among her people, tomorrow!

Barbara Joye

Amazing safari and moving forward!

2009-02-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

Life in Tanzania has continued to be filled with wonder. Our entire group spent two days on Safari, with an amazing number of animals seen and photographed. One land rover contained the film crew and the other had the rest of us playing tourists. It was really very funny to look up and see maybe six cameras at once pointed at each other… filming or photographing someone... as THEY filmed and photographed someone else! The good news is we have some truly beautiful pictures and film footage, for the documentary and to share when we get home.

The landscape of Ngorogoro is so dramatic and utterly unique. It was formed by first a rift... a great chasm that opened and allowed lava to pour out onto the earth’s surface. Over time, the lava itself formed a volcano. Eventually the volcano collapsed in on itself, creating a great flat plain or crater, surrounded by a mountainous wall.

As safari visitors we traveled first to the top of the crater walls, then descended over a rugged, sometimes slippery road to the plain far below. Once there, the eco system of plant and animal life living within this naturally contained environment, offered us an immediately apparent view of nature in balance. Predators and prey coexist, in largely plain view of one another.

It was thrilling to see a pride of lions resting in the grasses, with a herd of gazelles grazing peacefully in the distance. If a lion began moving, the herd went on alert, gauging whether or not the movements were a threat. It was an incredible visual odyssey of life and death... and the impossibly intricate interdependence of creatures large and small.

Once back in Moshi, we split up to accomplish dual purposes. Catherine went with Matrona, our wonderful cook here, to film life in her village home. As a single mother, Matrona struggles greatly to care for her small son and to help with her extended family. She dreams of a better future for herself and Soloman, not knowing how, but hoping for the best. Catherine was deeply touched by the material poverty she witnessed today, and was challenged to maintain composure in the presence of these hard realities.

The rest of us met with officials from the Tazanian Water department and the Pangani River Basin Project. We accomplished a lot in the obtaining of further information and support towards the required permits and surveys. We remain on track for drilling to begin this summer...with the continued support of our family, friends and caring donors.

We are all so excited and hopeful to see our plans for immediate clean water relief realized. These first 25 wells are eagerly awaited by many, many women like Matrona... who are already grateful and joyous of the time and health the wells will provide them. Water IS life... and no one knows it better than these women who walk, climb and carry it for hours and hours everyday. Today brought us ALL one step closer to the realization of our shared dreams!

Barbara Joye

Another side of Africa

2009-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

With a day’s rest and many stories shared, the group will now go on safari together for two days! We are being joined by the climb guide, Honest, and bringing the climb cook, Valance. We are all looking forward to time together and to the excitement of seeing and photographing the animals. This is a chance for everyone to connect to other aspects of the culture here... and to another whole terrain, plant and animal life.

I will look forward to sharing updates on Tuesday!

God bless.
Barbara Joye

IT HAS BEEN DONE!

2009-01-31T07:26:00.000-08:00

GREETINGS to all! It is a day of gratitude and celebration, with all of our climbers safe and back down from the mountain!

We had quite an evening last night... with the mountain guides and porters joining us at Mama Florentina’s... for feasting, prayers of gratitude... and many stories of the challenges they faced and overcame. There was laughter... and tales of how everyone had to let go of “fear and personal dignities” in favor of survival!

I must correct my previous blog entry- the climbers did NOT have a 24 hour rest before the final ascent... our information was incorrect. In fact, they remained on their feet for 22 of the last 24 hours! Torrential rains complicated their pacing and slowed their movements over very slippery rock faces. At some points, they were literally clinging to rock faces!

Poppy has suffered from extreme lung congestion throughout her climb, with Ron coming down with it midway, too. She believes she had the beginnings of bronchitis when she left the U.S. The climbers carried antibiotics with them, so she began taking them during her climb. With the thinning altitude... 50% less oxygen... she was compelled to remain at their last camp, rejoining the group at their descent. She literally could not exert and get a breath, too.

Poppy describes watching the group begin their night time ascent, “all wearing headlamps, a winding trail of tiny lights making their way upward.” As she watched the lights of the climbers, she saw “a beautiful falling star arc over them”, and “believed them to be safe and protected” in their final journey skyward. As she continued watching them move out of sight, she found peace in her role, in that moment, of holding a prayer space of hope and faith for the group.

Mama Florentina Masawe, with a heart condition and at 62 years old, made it to Stella Point, the last peak before Uhuru...Freedom Point... a difference of only 200 meters altitude from the absolute top of Kilimanajro! She is thrilled with her effort and the group is truly in awe of her. She began her ascent every day, 2 hours earlier than everyone else. She paced herself... slowly, slowly... so she could keep going. Last night when she arrived home, she immediately went into town, shopping for food and making arrangements for the celebration!! Truthfully, everyone else looked like they were in a bit of shock when they came down... it took a while before they all looked cognizant Not Mama!

The remainder of the group made the final, almost vertical ascent... to Uhuru... Mary, Margie, Catherine, Ron and Jeremy. And I can tell you, they are grateful and very happy to have made it. What an incredible group of people! The gift of effort, heart and symbolism of It Can Be Done! will continue to inspire us all- in our lives and for this water project, in Africa and at home. IT HAS BEEN DONE!

Barbara Joye

Are we there yet?

2009-01-30T06:19:00.000-08:00

We have word that we should pick up the climbers later today! We have not heard if all made it to the top, but I know that all intended to make a final push...
after their day of rest. We're all anxious and excited for their safe return... and will be celebrating with a big dinner...cooked by Matrona... later tonight!

While the group made their way skyward, I have been moving things along on the ground! I am focusing right now on making way for the planned shipment of all our equipment, this summer. Everything needs to be in perfect order for receipt, transport and the waiver of VAT... or taxes... because we are a non profit with a charitable mission. Evarist Momburi, Councelor of Uru North ward, has been especially helpful to me with all the meetings and necessary conversations. The village officials, Tanzanian government and volunteers alike... have made truly great efforts to organize and cooperate. In any country, this is a remarkable feat unto itself!

I have visited some of the villages and schools again, where we plan to place some of the wells. The situation is even more difficult that when we came last year. This region did not receive what they call the “small rains” in November and December, so even the open furrows, or dug trenches, that funnel rain water down the mountain to those below, are completely dry. I cannot tell you how difficult it was to hold back tears, as I stood by school children in their uniforms, scooping brown water from barely wet, muddy ditches, their drinking water from a tiny rain we had the day before.

And the women here... they do EVERYTHING in these villages. Childcare, agriculture, livestock, cooking and carrying water up and down for hours and hours. They are even more tired now... having to walk farther up the mountain to find natural springs. The women are so eager to know and learn other, better ways, and they ask me many questions about our lives in the U.S. Their enthusiasm and willingness is contagious and has set me dreaming anew, of connections between ICBD and other organizations, who focus on micro loans and economics for women. But, WATER FIRST... so that all will feel healthier and stronger... and may have the fortitude and belief, in dreams of their own making.

May we all dream together, for the watering of our own lives... in the ways we each and everyone need... for happiness and wellbeing.

Blessings to each and all for your prayers.
Barbara Joye

Final Ascent!

2009-01-29T06:49:00.000-08:00

Jambo! Word from the mountain seems positive. The group rested for 24 hours at a base camp, 17,000 feet, before they will make their final ascent, beginning this morning.
This helps them to acclimatize to the thin air, as well as gives their bodies some relief from climbing. They remain in good spirits... for this final push to the top!
They have had their challenges... weather... altitude sickness... muscle strain and soreness. Just being outside in the elements presents its own challenges, with a constant exposure to rain, sleet and snow. The porters and guides are very experienced, though, and have provided our group with good support, food and well set up camps, for rest and regrouping.

The guides and porters are amazing themselves. Their livelihoods are dependent on people who come to climb Kilimanjaro. The porters carry everything for the camps in baskets on their heads and use short cuts to stay ahead of the climbing groups. These short cuts are steep and very rugged and the porters are always at risk, themselves. A few of the porters were quite young... 16 years old. It is a rough way to earn a living, but there is so little opportunity here, that this work is considered to be good work.

The guides are extremely experienced in weather conditions and people's responses to the altitude. They assume this responsibility with courage, grace and great caring.
It takes them years to develop the necessary skills and proven strength for this work. When Sam became ill, it was one of the guides, Daniel, who brought him safely ...and very quickly!... down the mountain. We are grateful for the skill and strength demonstrated by Honest and Daniel, the guides for our group.

Barbara Joye
Moshi, Tanzania

Challenges and Courage

2009-01-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Kilimanjaro climbers are now above 16,500 feet and all are feeling some effect from the altitude. Sam Fell, one of the film crew, has descended after reaching 16,000 feet.
It is never predictable as to who might feel the effects of the altitude, to the point of debilitating illness, and consequently forcing a descent. Sam suffered a lot, almost from the beginning with the altitude aspects, but he made a truly enduring effort to continue climbing. I cannot believe he made it to 16,000 feet, given his very negative response to the thin air and altitude… along with weather challenges of rain and snow! He made it back down the mountain last night, in a hard rain and over some very slippery inclines. Honestly... he’s my current hero in this very real test of courage. Sam is now feeling very well and happy with his effort... after a hot shower and a warm dinner last night!

The group perseveres, towards the 19,500 foot peak... the tallest free standing mountain on earth ... and symbol of commitment and courage to all who attempt an ascent to her top.

God bless them all.
Barbara Joye

Third day of Climb!

2009-01-26T06:10:00.000-08:00

We have received a message this morning from the Kilimanjaro climbers and all are doing well! They are in the 3rd day of a 6 day ascent, so almost halfway to the top now. Everyone remains positive and hopeful of reaching the top.

Florentina Masawe has indicated she is tiring, but still determined. At 62 years old, she is the oldest climber, but this Kili climb has very special meaning to her. In addition to the symbolism of climbing as a partner with ICBD and providing African representation, Florentina was born on this mountain. She has climbed twice before... albeit younger! She grew up in the villages of Kilimanjaro, leaving when she received scholarship to Oxford. She continued her education in Sweden, where she married and had her children. Several years ago, she felt a strong call to return to her birthplace. Her husband has passed on and her children grown, so she has worked tirelessly to provide assistance in these villages.

She served as a field social worker in Sweden for 25 years, so her assistance with this water project has been absolutely invaluable. In truth, it could not have happened without her.

Her children are asking her to return to Sweden, but she is torn between family in Sweden and the roots of her lineage speaking to her through this mountain. So climbing Kilimanjaro is a personal act of love for her, believing it may be the last time she makes this ascent. I find excuses to ask her about life on her mountain, just so I can see the light in her eyes as she speaks of Kilimanjaro.

It is our hope that the mountain is loving her... and all of these climbers... as they add their personal stories to the generations of stories, lived and told and retold, about Kilimanjaro.

Barbara Joye
Moshi, Tanzania

Safe Arrival!

2009-01-23T17:24:00.000-08:00

Phones, Flights, Florentina and Faces

It is almost 3 a.m. on Saturday morning, here in Tanzania. As I am ground support for our Kilimanjaro climbers, I’m up late figuring out a few bugs in our international calling system. We Americans are very funny in our expectations, believing we can set up systems in a third world country... like cell phones... and they will work just like back home!

Our flights were great and all luggage arrived intact, so for this we are very grateful! We take this as a good sign, of continued good journey to come.

From Florentina’s home ...our partner, coordinator and host... we saw our first view of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The weather is exceptionally clear, which is GREAT for the upcoming climb, and our first view of the mountain this trip, was both breath taking and aweing.. The faces of those who are here in Africa for the first time, were priceless, reflecting more than words can convey. First and foremost, I’m sure, were thoughts of the pending climb and what lies ahead to reach the top. All of the climbers are determined and excited and have already shown great support of one another in the early preparations. The climb will begin around 12 noon on Saturday ...which is 3am Saturday, Chicago time. Their guides, Honest and Daniel, came by this afternoon, to review preparations with the climbers. Everyone feels good about the arrangements and confident in their guides... and themselves.

Your prayers and good wishes for these wonderful people *Margie, Mary, Florentina, Poppy, Ron, Catherine, Jeremy and Sam* are much appreciated!

Water, Wells, and A Great Welcome

Earlier tonight, we met with a number of our village partners and government officials. We received terrific support from Mr. Chami, of Parliament, in particular. This was a GREAT relief and very encouraging, as we are doing our best to ensure safety, protection, sustainability and active involvement of the people here, at every level. A number of our concerns were answered beyond expectation, and we will be moving forward with the genuine support and commitment of all concerned.

For all our friends and family, be assured that the people here are deeply caring and respectful of our group and all in America who are contributing towards this project. They have asked us to convey their appreciation to everyone, acknowledging your generosity and sacrifices, and offer a resounding KARIBU… you are WELCOME here... always.

Blessings to one and all.

Barbara Joye

"Climb For A Cause" January 2009

2009-01-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

Our amazing team of climbers and ground support for It Can Be Done! departs Wednesday, January 21st for Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

We have seven people participating in our “Climb for a Cause” fundraiser: Margie Braband, our fearless leader, her sister, Mary Legallet of California, and our friends Poppy Moelter and Ron Ricci from the Wisconsin area. In addition to climbing, our film team, Jeremy Vranich, Catherine Lynch and Sam Fell, all natives of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff area, will be filming the 19,500 ft. vertical trek to be developed into a documentary.
Our ground support will be Barbara Joye, who will be staying in the village and meeting with many Uru people to continue the development of the water project committees, ascertain placement of the wells and collect stories from these wonderful loving people.

Many of you know that we have arrived at the long-researched decision of Phase I. It will consist of: purchasing the drill rig and supplies, shipping it all to Tanzania and hiring a local team for the project and installation of the FIRST 25 WELLS! We hope to begin Phase I sometime this summer. Each well comes to a cost of $2,000. We are asking people to come forth and become a “well steward” and be in charge of collecting the $2,000. to honor people or ideals that inspire us all, with the first wells to honor our ancestors..."whose many generational sacrifices have made the world a better place".

If you’d like to donate toward this goal or toward an individual climber, please visit our website http://www.itcanbedoneafrica.org/

Most importantly right now, we ask you to send our team your loving intentions and prayers for pure positive energy, healthy bodies, stamina, perseverance, positive attitude and Spirit to be with them, and to the people of Uru - heartfullness and love. We know that God has led us on this path every step of the way and will continue to protect, enfold and inspire us to move forward on this first phase of our mission.

Our climbers will begin their 6-day trek on Saturday, the 24th . I will be staying here this time around (but with them in spirit!) and as I receive updates (cell phones do work on the mountain!), I will keep you informed of their progress. So check this blog now and then!

Our deepest gratitude for all your support and prayers.

Chris Moses
IT CAN BE DONE!

2008-01-20T07:09:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

Today is our last day here, very sad. It will be hard to leave these wonderful people and this beautiful country. It got cooler today and rained quite a bit, which is wonderful for their plants and produce. It has been wonderfully warm, in the 80s and sunny all the time, so the cooling off today will make it a little easier for us to go home to the cold Chicago winter!

We went back to Uru East this morning to see Florentina's house where she grew up and meet some of her family. The red clay roads were very wet, slippery and muddy from the rain. It gave us a small idea of how difficult it is to live in these villages. Even though they welcome the rain, it makes it even more of a hardship to get through the roads to get their water or sell their vegetables. You can not comprehend living this way until you've seen it.

We came here to find more information about the water situation and possibly digging wells. This has turned into a much bigger scope than we could imagine. How could you choose one small area over another? We realized within the first few days after we arrived that would be impossible. What an amazing experience this has been. We have much information to review and lots of work to do when we return.
It Can and Will Be Done!!!!!

Our deep gratitude goes out to everyone for their prayers and support.

Love to all,
Margie, Barbara, Chris, Jeremy and Matt

2008-01-19T19:15:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

Today Barbara and Jeremy wanted to go to the town market to get some last minute shots of the local people living their everyday lives. Saturday is a very busy day there. Hundreds of people set up stalls or blankets to sell everything-fruits and vegetables, hand-made shoes, cloth and cloths, jewelry, trinkets, you name it. It looks much like our giant flea markets. They were trying to film and all of the sudden 2 police motorcycles with 2 men on each pulled up around our vehicle and they thought they were going to be arrested for filming. After much talk in Swahili, it turned out that our driver, Efrem, explained they told him he was illegally parked. Efrem pretended that he was not parking but just driving through, badly albeit, while Jeremy and Barb hid the camera and were shaking in their boots. It was an exciting start to the day!

We interviewed Florentina for the film today. She is an amazing woman. A brief bio: she was born here in the village of Uru East, educated in Sweden with scholarship help, married her husband there and raised 2 biological and 2 adopted children. She was a social worker in Sweden for 27 years. After her children were adults, she returned to her homeland to care for her aging mother (who lived to 106!) By the time her mother died, Florentina had started her own travel agency business, supporting the local tourism and employing many guides, porters and drivers for climbing and safari. She then decided she had to stay here to help the people. It was truly a calling. She is a woman's advocate, a very respected elder in the community and has recently started her own volunteer organization. We have so much love and admiration for her. We could not have accomplished anything here without her cooperation, connections and complete support in our project.

We finished our afternoon with shopping at a few small stores. Then tonight there was a big surprise. The whole time we have been here, Florentina has had workers building a beautiful covered deck on the side of the house. (By the way, everything was done by hand- sawing, planing and sanding all the wood!) The ladies surprised all of us by moving the dining room furniture out to the finished deck along with lit candles, a wonderful dinner and Amarula to toast with! A final feast together to celebrate our friendship and all that we have accomplished.

Until tomorrow...

Margie, Chris, Barb, Jeremy and Matt

2008-01-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

A view through the rainforest
A waterfall at a local water intake
The Four Mamas
Mt. Kilimanjaro from Florentina's backyard

2008-01-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

Now that things have slowed down a little, we thought we would tell you a few cultural tidbits
about these warm and appreciative people.

The Tanzanian people learn their native or tribal language when they are small. In the case of the people we're visiting, their tribe and language is Chagua. When they start Primary school, they learn their national language of Swahili. And then when they start Secondary school at 13 years old, everything is taught in English. So by the time they are 16 they know 3 languages.
We were very impressed by this since we know only one!

Another interesting thing is that everyone keeps asking us about Hilary Clinton and the other
candidates. We are amazed how knowledgable they are about our politics. It makes us feel we are not very globally educated. If our primarys were here, Hilary Clinton would definitely win! They really liked and admired Bill Clinton and are excited for us at the prospect of having a woman president.

Today a truck drove by the house playing music and making announcements over a loud speaker. When we asked Florentina, our host, what they were saying she said they were reminding the households to pay their water bill! We were hysterical over that. They don't use mail and send bills as we do. Can you imagine a truck reminding you to pay your bills - with music!?

Every time we go anywhere we can never get a direct answer about the distance or timing. Five minutes always turns into 20 minutes. Everytime we trek up the mountain, we ask how far it is and the 3 kilometers turns into about 10 miles, which of course we were never prepared for, dress or supplies. It's become a standard joke with Jeremy and Matt that we (the moms) didn't bring the water. We'll be getting all this down just as we're about to leave!

Finally, a really funny moment. When we were on safari, we had the top of the truck open and a couple of babboons were fighting within the family. All of the sudden, one ran over the top of the car and we all screamed our heads off. A hysterical moment and a great thing to get on film!

Love to all.

2008-01-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

We spent the most amazing 2 days on a safari, first in Lake Manyara, and then in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is the sixth largest collapsed crater in the world.
The scenery was so awesome. Ever time we think we have seen the most beautiful sight in the world, we see one even better.

We saw what they call here the Big Five. Lions, elephants, rhino, hippo and cheetah. We were told we were so lucky to see all five in one trip. We saw so many other animals-giraffes, gazelles,
impalas and so many babies! This is the time of year for births and we even saw a baby rhino.
The highlight of the trip was 2 cheetahs on a hunt for the impalas and we actually saw them break and go after the impalas across the plains AND got it on film! And so many beautiful varieties of birds, it just takes your breath away.

This morning, we returned to the village of Uru East to visit their dispensary and secondary school. Everywhere we go, we receive such a warm welcome. The people even seem very comfortable with the camera and we have done some great interviews.

We also had a meeting with the Water Engineer department that covers this area. They have been researching plans for various phases of the same project-clean water. There is always the issue of not enough funds. They will be giving us an estimate for a survey to be done on the Uru villages.

A very productive and very fun last few days.

Love to all,

Margie, Chris, Barbara, Jeremy and Matt

2008-01-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

On the safari
Barbara and Margie with the elephants
An elephant
The group at the crater of Ngorongoro

A local village woman with her child, Uru West A Baboon from Lake Manyara
A Giraffe from Lake Manyara

2008-01-14T21:59:00.000-08:00

2008-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

Dear family and friends,

Today we returned to the village of Uru West to tour the secondary school and their dispensary.

We met the Headmaster at the school which is similar to our high school, but ages 12-16. They have 210 children and 2 new buildings thanks to donations and the parents help in building it.
Many of the students are orphans from AIDS. We learned that the cost to educate one student is only $121.00 per year. It sounds like nothing to us but a fortune to them.

This site also has no clean water and no access to it. The students go to fetch buckets of water, which is a half kilometer away during their break. Although they have such hardships, they are very happy to be there studying and understand the importance of education. When we visited one of the classes, they sang the all-American song to us - Old McDonald Had a Farm. It was really funny!

The dispensary is a small hospital with only 25 beds where they can treat everything from
diahrea to cholera and deliver babies. They also have no running water. They do have a storage tank but have to boil it. We learned that after boiling the water for an hour over an open fire,
they still have to wait 24 hours before using it.

At the end of the day, we had a final meeting with the Counselors and decided the next step is to schedule a meeting with the District Engineer in charge of water. We will meet with him on Thursday and find out about getting a survey done and discuss the possibilities.

We are very hopeful and excited about how much we have accomplished.

Tomorrow we go on a quick 24 hour safari to connect the ecology and animals with our water project, which will be very exciting for our film.

Love to all.

2008-01-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

2008-01-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

2008-01-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

2008-01-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

Sunday, January 13th

Dear friends and family,

Today was another phenomenal day.

We visited the village called Uru East, which has a population of 13,000. This village had clean water 30 years ago when a newly built hospital redirected the flow of water from the mountain source. Then the hospital moved and no one was able to maintain the small dam and pipes due to a lack of money. For thirty years, the women and children have been going to a higher source carrying buckets of water on their head to get the clean water. With fertilizing their crops and run off, the water has become very polluted. They drink it anyway because although this causes much illness, it is their only source.

After our meeting, we climbed up to the top of their area to see the water intake so we could understand the situation better. This put a couple of us over the edge in the fitness area, but well worth it! The rain forest is just too much for words, stories-high canopies of ferns and umbrella type plants for as far as you could see and deep cliffs of unknown beautiful plants.
We kept saying this looked exactly like the setting for Jurassic Park.

When we returned, they had prepared a feast for us to share with them at the school house.
On top of it, it is Sunday and they had their best dress on from church and they all looked so beautiful. The people welcomed us with open arms and such warmth and love. Everyone is so ready for their water problems to be fixed. They mentioned several times that they felt they have been forgotten. They committed to doing all that it takes, whether it's digging the trenches or laying pipes, to get the job done.

At the end of our visit, Margie shared a song she knows about calling the mother of the river and then they shared a song with us. We are so connected to these Tanzanian people and their hearts. It was the most wonderful day so far. But we may have said that before!

Love to all!
Margie, Barbara, Chris, Jeremy and Matt

2008-01-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

January 12, 2008

2008-01-12T15:05:00.000-08:00

Saturday, January 12th

Well, we've had trouble getting our blog entries done in Africa, which is why we've only had one. We thank Margie's daughter, Kimberly, for volunteering to do this now. Hopefully this will work!

We've had the most amazing last 3 days. It's almost impossible to describe. We have met so many wonderful people who are open and receptive to us. We've had meetings with the Mayor of Moshi, counselors which are area leaders, school headmasters and a newspaper journalist who was interested in our story. We have been so busy we can hardly breathe!

All of the trip has been amazing so far, but the highlight was definitely today! We went to a village called Uru West which sits at the base of the mountain. We took a van up a very bumpy, rocky, long path where we parked and then hiked up through the rain forest!!! We never expected this just as so many other wonderful things that have happened to us! At the top of the rain forest was the most amazing waterfall with rock formations that had people's faces in them. It was just too awesome for words. The waterfall is called an 'intake' because this is where they could tap into the source. It is frustrating to see all this beautiful clean water and know that they cannot get access to it. This was truly an inspiration for our project.

We then had a meeting with the leaders of the village and many men and women came to see what we were offering. The people were so open, friendly and loving, we were truly humbled and heart-filled.

The filming is going so well. We have so much wonderful footage, Jeremy and Matt will have a very tough time deciding and editing.

The trip so far has been beyond any expectations we had. Chris and Barb are even very surprised at the lack of mosquitos which everyone warned us about. And we're getting fat on homemade delicious food.

We are awestruck, excited and exhausted!

January 10, 2008

2008-01-12T15:04:00.001-08:00

Thursday, January 10th

Dear friends,

We arrived here last night and received such a warm welcome from Florentina. She is a travel agent
whose home we are staying at. She also has many great connections for us here in order to meet the people we need to speak with. We had a wonderful dinner and conversation and fell into bed after our 20 hours of travel.

Today was a busy and amazing day. We started by meeting and interviewing the guides who take the climbers up on Mt. Kilimanjaro. They live in a comfortable village where a clean working water system has been in place for 20 years. They will be our 'model' of what we hope to accomplish. They were so kind and cooperative and had much needed information. They were even comfortable on camera.

This afternoon we took a very long ride up the mountain to visit the native villages that have water 'intakes', sources that exist from streams and waterfalls on the mountain. This was a great opportunity
to see how the people live and how they access water. It is such a difficult way to live, something
we can not even comprehend. Women climbing uneven rocky red dirt paths, sticky bushes, up and down the hill 3 to 4 times per day, carrying jugs of water on their heads.

We won't talk about the drive itself where Chris thought the van was going off the edge of the mountain and hung onto Barb's arm the whole time!

The first day was so exciting and hopeful!

Ready To Go!

2008-01-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

We are leaving tomorrow, January 8th. We can't believe after all the research and planning over the last year, the time is finally here. Our team consists of 5 people and although our roles are ever-changing, this is our current focus: Margie Braband-our fearless leader, holding the roles of project developer and travel arrangements; Barbara Joye, film writer and vision holder, Jeremy Vranich and Matt Solida, our outstanding student filmmakers, and Chris Moses, research and record keeping.

We will be visiting the villages of Arusha and Moshi in Tanzania. This is the area at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro where although they rely heavily on tourism from the climbers, there are many poor people whose every day goal is to just put food on the table. Our mission on this trip is to meet and talk with many officials as well as every day citizens to find out more about their water needs and issues and then create a documentary for raising awareness and inspiration.

We have already made many connections here and with the Tanzanian people and have a very full itinerary. This visit has been completely guided by God and spirit, all the way down to the last week. The fact that Margie was able to re-route all our travel- 5 people to a completely different destination, through a different lay-over city -only 7 days before leaving, in order to avoid the sad but scary violence going on in Kenya was a miracle in itself!

We are so excited to be taking our first big step toward our mission and are looking forward to
connecting with and supporting our global community. Thanks for your thoughtful messages
and support. We will post again after our arrival.

It Can Be Done! 0ne step at a time...