Day 14 - Lubango Center, Nyashana

Today I had the privilege of visiting the Lubango Center, Nyashana - a youth and women's centre in Mwanza run by the Roman Catholic Church. Delphine and I met with Johanna, the person responsible for completing the construction of the centre and initiating the many programs being offered. Johanna came in 2004 from the Principality of Liechtenstein (a small German-speaking country between Austria and Switzerland). Currently she works one day a week at the centre, preparing her successor, Sophia (a local Tanzanian), to take over the reigns at the end of the year. They are very grateful for the additional assistance of Lupe´, originally from Peru, a lay minister who has brought her family from New York to provide assistance with the church programs for 3 1/2 years. 
This Center is continually evolving, searching for new and improved ways to assist the local women in becoming financially independent. Their programs include: training on sewing, cooking, handcrafts, life skills, hairdressing, hygiene and natural medicine. There is a kindergarten class using Montessori methodology. A library is used regularly by nearby students - particularly those preparing for their final exams. INUKA (meaning 'to be raised up' in Kiswahili) is a Women's Project on the production and selling of handcraft products - such as jewelry, keychains, and aprons. The Center includes a small restaurant with local food, a beauty salon, a church, Internet café, stationery centre, multi-purpose room for internal/local events, social activities for youth, and the production and selling of natural medicine. 
Johanna and I brainstormed a number of ways she can generate income for the Center and we discussed possible future programs - such as self-defence classes and even simple auto-mechanic lessons. We were able to enjoy local dishes (bean soup-maharagwe, chapati, and chai tea) at the restaurant while we shared stories about our own experiences. Sadly, I did not take pictures of the lovely ladies responsible for this center's great success. Below, however are pictures of some local girls working on school uniforms.

On a side note, Johanna and I connected on many levels - particularly in the fact she just turned 50 in May. She reminded me very much of a younger Helen Mirren. She is a very interesting woman who has made Tanzania her home - living with her Tanzanian husband and running an English primary school with him, when she is not at the Center.