Incredible news yesterday from Mama Lucy; the land has been purchased!!! While it´s a smaller plot than we originally intended, it´s about an acre, and plenty of room to start! Adjacent parcels are also available for sale nearby for expansion if fundraising efforts allow.

Originally, we were looking at a plot in Kimandolu, but after working with an attorney in Tanzania, we found that the boundaries had been misunderstood, and that the access road would, in fact, not allow us to access the property directly, making construction nearly impossible. Instead, Mama Lucy has identified a new plot in Moivaro, just down the road, where many current students live. It´s nearby, and a flat plot which should make construction even easier. Its cost is about $20,000 USD, which is less than we´d estimated originally, so that too was good news.

I spoke to Mama Lucy on the phone yesterday while we were en route through Dar Es Salaam to Europe, and to say she sounded excited is a vast understatement. Bursting with elation is how I´d describe it, and rightfully so. Her incredibly difficult work is making significant progress.

Now that she´s secured the land, the need for additional funds is immediate so that she can move on to construction. I hope you´re filled with generosity this holiday season! We´ll be travelling until Christmas, but will post a photo of the plot as soon as we´ve received it from Mama Lucy, so you can see first-hand the land you´ve helped her to purchase.

Until then, our warmest wishes for a truly joyous holiday season . . .