CHILDREN’S HOME and SCHOOLMagu District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania, E. AfricaWe are a small team of Christians working together to help the most vulnerable children and people in a rural area of Tanzania. East Africa. We are involved in providing financial support and volunteers to visit both long and short term to share in the work both here and in Tanzania.As of Dec 2022 caring for more than 150 children at our Children’s home, and over 350 children in our school.Contact: Graham Pountain email: graham@pountain.net Tel 01254 879694
The Bethany Project (often referred to as the Bethany Family) is registered in Tanzania as an NGO no. 8059. It is administered by the The Bethany Project (Tanzania) UK (Reg. Charity no 517995), Reg. Address: 11 Ash Street, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, Lancashire. BB5 3LN. Tel 01254 879694. email: graham@pountain.netTrustees: Graham Pountain, David Borland OBE, Heather Jeffrey, Isabel Jones, Paul Pountain
BIMONTHLY MEETINGSNext meeting - Sunday April 9th (2023) 2pmTrinity ChurchChrist Church Square, Accrington, BB5 2NAClick here for more info
We had the visit from our Regional Commissioner on Friday with all the officials from our District Council including the DC. It was a good visit as the RC came to present on behalf of our President, who has decided to share a small gift with 29 children's homes in the 26 regions of Tanzania this year as a way of showing her appreciation for these organisations looking after all these children and also letting the children know that they are cared for and valued.
Excellent news from the Bethany Pre and Primary School Jan 2023
We received this email from Emmakulath (headteacher) today:Good News! STD 4 national examinations results are out and our children have done an amazing job.Click here for full results of the Bethany School 34 children took the exam, 26 pupils have an 'A' average and 8 pupils have 'B' average. I honestly did not expect these results as it was such a challenging class. Our God is indeed Faithful and hard work does pay off. Thank you so much for all your support. Comment to put the results in context:Remembering that we are a non fee paying English medium school teaching students from poor backgrounds and also the children who are resident in our children’s home the comparison shows just how much Emmakulatha (headteacher) and her dedicated staff and hard working students have achieved:For example the three nearest Government Primary Schools (taught in Kiswahili the national language) have achieved the following:Yitwimila Primary School (our nearest village school) 83 students - 4 A’s, 17 B’s, 40 C’s, 15 D’s and 7 Referred (fails)Masanza Primary Sch. (next nearest Government Primary sch.) 108 students - 0 A’s, 11 B’s, 27 C’s, 40 D’s and 30 Referred (fail)Bulima Primary School ( next nearest Government Primary Sch) 142 students-0 A’s, 17 B’s, 69 C’s, 42 D’s and 14 Referred (fail)Click here for the results for all the schools in our district:
Click herefor our latest audited accounts March 2021 - March 2022
Latest Videos taken February 2023
New Fund Raising Platform DonorseeShort videos asking for help with various projectsFor a full list and more information Click here
Above: Help with food for Domitila’s grandmother click here
Report on the latest visit by Graham Pountain February 2023A terrorist threat in Dar meant a 16 hours delay in Zanzibar so the journey from Manchester to Bethany took 3 days. Everyone was in good spirits, I met with some of our ex-Bethany girls who seemed to be doing well, they included Edina, Esther, Nkamba, Stella and Sophia. Our form 4 results were excellent as follows (report by Jesca):1. Esther Cosmas: Division 1 of point 12 (The only female with Division one at Sogesca school and actually the overall highest mark across both boys and girls. I know she is disappointed because she really wanted Division one of single digit especially of point 7. 2. Shillinde Edward: Division 1 of 13 points3. Eunice Leonard: Division 2 of 18 points 4. Rose Daudi: Division 2 of 18 points5. Consolatha Wambura: Division 2 of 19 points 6. Alex Mathias: Division 2 of 19 points7. Tabitha Biligea: Division 2 of 21 points 8. Frank Deus: Division 2 of 21 points9. Vicent Michel: Division 2 of 21 points10. Anna Lusesa: Division 3 of 22 points11. Misoji Charles: Division 4 of 29 points.We believe all but Misoji will be awarded places at High School and we are encouraging them to look to their relatives to provide funds for High School. However some of the girls have no relatives and they are staying with our carer’s families. As yet we don’t know what we can offer due to the funding situation. However Misoji is helping out at our Pre and Primary School and Emmakulatha (head teacher) is happy to consider sending her on a course after a year if she proves suitable.Worthy of note is a gift from Herbert Kabyemela of Corporate Social Responsibility who donated 3,850,000 Tanzanian shillings (£1,400) for the provision of 25 tables and 50 benches. This is the first large donation we have received from a Tanzanian organisation although Jesca tells me we sometimes receive gifts of food from individuals who want to help Bethany especially when they celebrate their birthdays. Food growing: we have planted many acres of maize but unfortunately the rains have not been sufficient to have a very good crop, but every little helps. For the full report click herePhotos:Children - School - Chores - CropsKitchen Dining - Home staff - Visitors
Above: Washing day Below: Harvest time
Above: Esther looking for support for High School click here
Above: New water tank for flushing toilets click here
Above: Susan- volunteer teacher needs bus fares Click here