Educate Tanzania Breaks Ground
Below is an abridged report from Karagwe, Tanzania by our CEO, Dr. Jan Hansen.
Dear Board and Officers of ETI,
Groundbreaking for KARUCO could not have been more festive, enjoyable or more meaningful. What a day! I have been trying to email you but service is spotty and today there is no electricity.
Highlights
The program included 12 dignitaries and ETI was one of the three 'main' ones. The other two included the Honorable Minister of Agriculture for Tanzania, the ELCT Management, and ETI which included Kjell (Hon Consul to TZ). Kjell Bergh and I were given a tour of KARUCO including a formal guest book signing at Tower Point, seated in places of distinction, given gifts, and invited to speak. All went well. The most moving part for me was the unveiling of the KARUCO stone marker. The ELCT (KAD) made a 3 sided triangle (like a 3D triangle) about 4.5 feet high made from field stone. The inscription honoring Kjell and I was on one side; the 2nd side the ELCT; and the third honored the Minister of Agriculture for Tanzania. In a formal way, we 'three' were asked to unveil the stone. The bishop, the minister, Kjell and I went to the marker in front of our audience of 300 or so. It was covered with satin cloth draped with yellow ribbon around it. We each had a scissors and after some profound words (in Swahili so I am assuming) :-), cut the ribbon. We then lifted the cloth and exposed the stone. My eyes immediately went to the 24"x18" gold colored inset with the following inscribed: THIS STONE MARKS THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF KARAGWE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LAID ON TODAY, 11.10.2012 BY HONORABLE KJELL BERGH (HONORARY CONSUL OF TANZANIA IN USA) IN COLLABORATION WITH PROF. JAN HANSEN (CEO-EDUCATE TANZANIA,MN, USA). I teared up. The ceremony itself and the stone represent so much. Second highlight: The bishop asked me to present the 'touchstones' we brought so after my speech (which went well and was interrupted more than once by applause), I presented those to the bishop. I started with the Oswald Family Foundation and told the story of how Julie believed in us and in this project. The bishop, other leaders and the people were very moved and applauded. The concept was that these are touchstones for the donors and supporters of KARUCO to have something to touch when they come to Karagwe (huge applause). I presented the Jaqueline Nolte Jones stone in a similar way and that was well received and greatly appreciated. The Jones grant launched KARUCO’s first building and indeed, KARUCO itself. I gave the ETI stone, was careful to say we are not honoring ourselves but instead are honoring the 450 supporters of KARUCO in our data base who give what they can to support this cause. I reminded the people that there is a growing group of supporters in the US who love them and want to see them prosper. They loved that. There were about 300 people in the audience. Much singing and dancing. Lots of food. All good. It was an exciting day!!!! Wish you could have been there.
I sat next to the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Eng. Christopher Chiza, at the meal. Great connection. He invited the curriculum team and me to his office in Dar es Salaam when the curriculum team works in Tanzania in January. He also donated 10 million schillings to the project during his speech. Similarly, a member of parliament, Gosbert Blandes, donated the same. In a few minutes KARUCO had 20 million tzs ($12,500 USD) more than it did before. The 'air' felt like an emotional shift from 'how will this dream all happen' to 'this is going to happen'. I felt the emotional shift. More to come... Live from Karagwe, Jan Hansen Roving Reporter