Sights on a Cow

There is a very special group of students at Kennedy Middle School who have their sights on a cow. And they have embarked on their own unique journey to help make a difference in the lives of orphan and other at-risk children on the other side of the world in Tanzania. Africa.

What set these children on this path?

For the third year in a row, Hearts in Unity was warmly welcomed to the classrooms of Mr. D's "Foods" classes at Kennedy Middle School. While listening to stories of life in Tanzania, Africa, the students had a hands-on lesson on how to prepare several traditional Tanzanian foods... chapati (flatbread), ugali (stiff porridge), and mchzi wa mboga (vegetable stew). Yum!

Take a look....



(If you are not able to view the video above, CLICK HERE)

So what is the connection to the cow?

Hearts in Unity helps to support the students and teachers at 2 schools in northern Tanzania. When meeting with the teachers at Seela Primary School on Mt. Meru this past November, we asked what more we could do to help them, as teachers, to teach the 1,000 children at the school in this remote village.

Expecting a discussion about the ongoing need for additional textbooks, school supplies and other teaching materials, we were surprised with the request they shared.

After much thoughtful consideration, one of the teachers stood and humbly relayed the request of the teachers -- a request for two cows.

Two cows? Did we misunderstand?

The teacher went on to explain....

He reminded us of what it is like to live in this region of Tanzania, the 5th poorest country in the world. A single meal per day is reality for many of the children in this remote village. Neither the school nor the parents of these students have financial means with which to provide a daily lunch to the students at the school. The hunger these children live with is compounded by the long, exhausting walk up the mountain that so many children travel to the school each day -- more than 5 miles each way for some students.

And the connection to the request for two cows?

The teachers, responsible for their classroom of 75 or more students, are not able to effectively teach when the most at-risk children arrive at school hungry and exhausted -- only to faint when they finally reach the classroom.

And when a child faints, there is no school nurse. The teacher must care for that child... leaving the rest of the class to wait. Teaching on hold. Sometimes for hours.

And the 2 cows?

It's a simple solution, even if barely adequate. Having 2 cows would give the teachers the ability to offer a small cup of milk to the children at greatest risk for fainting at school due to hunger and exhaustion.

A simple cup of milk when they arrive at school. A way to help the poorest of the poor children to get through the school day. A way to help keep the teachers in the classroom doing what they are there to do and what love to do. To teach.

And so, as the hearts of the Kennedy Middle School children open to the children of Tanzania, they have set their sights on raising enough money for Hearts in Unity to purchase a cow as a gift for the students and teachers of this Tanzanian school.

Children reaching out to making a difference in the lives of children on the other side of the world. It's heartwarming.

To learn more about how you can help feed the children of Tanzania, visit us at Hearts in Unity.

The Mail's Here

Check out the latest "Hearts in Unity" blog in our local community newspaper...
"The Mail's Here"

Father's Love Letter

Asante sana. Wanasuhkuru. We are so thankful to all who have opened their hearts to the orphans and at-risk children of Tanzania, Africa, through our mission at "Hearts in Unity"

Each of these precious children need to know...

they are MY children,
they are YOUR children,
they are OUR children.

And all are God's children, too.

The following "Father's Love Letter" reminds not only the children of the world, but also reminds each one of us, that we are loved.

The letter "Barua ya upendo wa Baba" is also available in Swahili. (http://fathersloveletter.com/Swahili/textswahili.html)

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My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

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Thank you to fathersloveletter.com for reminding us of this love.