Machame Hospital

Machame Hospital - Motorcycle Ward Machame Hospital, near Moshi Tanzania, has been in operation since 1906, when German missionary doctor, Dr. Herman Ploetze, arrived. It has grown to a 230 bed facility owned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Northern Diocese, and treats over 150 outpatients daily. Cheaply made Chinese motorcycles driven by risk-immune …

Eager Learners

Uduru Preschoolers Happy children, learning how to socialize, follow rules, cooperate with others, satisfy their curiosity and expand their knowledge. These are students of the Uduru Parish Preschool near Moshi, Tanzania; dressed in the uniform purple sweater, some with matching hats and others wearing hats of the Tanzanian flag colors. Today there are over sixty …

New Friend

I met this little guy by accident, searching for the choo (toilet) behind a children's center in Moshi, Tanzania. He was alone, but I could hear distant sounds of a preschool classroom. His face was full of questions, but smiled when I greeted him in Swahili. Bashful, yet engaging, he didn't try to speak. I …

Ephraim D. Muro

I met Ephraim D. Muro in early 2016 during a mission trip to Moshi, Tanzania.  Standing in line for a pot luck dinner at his church, he insisted that I go first, which then became a point of respectful disagreement.  Knowing how age was so respected in their culture, I was somewhat offended that he …

Learning to Count

A bright young girl in Uduru Lutheran Parish's preschool shows the teacher she can count to 100.  Located near Moshi, Tanzania, this typical preschool relies on the church, volunteers and donations to prepare their youngsters for primary school. The four year old students were so quiet and patient, I marveled at the teacher's control of the …

School’s Out

On a morning walk near Moshi, Tanzania I could hear young children's excited voices.  Several kids were running toward me from both directions, all with big smiles on their faces.  Soon, I was surrounded by a dozen boisterous youngsters, all dressed in the same school jersey, all with such uninhibited joy -- like school was …

Hay Market

Many forms of transportation are used in Tanzania, everything from donkey carts to large trucks.  Walking is probably the most common, followed by cheaply made Chinese motorcycles. Bicycles are very popular too.  On a major highway leading out of Moshi, a large city of 185,000, I noticed many men moving hay with their bicycles.  Whatever …

Chaga House

The Chaga people are the third largest ethnic group in Tanzania.  They are found in the northeast part of Tanzania, on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, near the town of Moshi. Look closely, Mount Kilimanjaro is peaking above the clouds in this photo. In Chaga tradition, their houses are round, built without any corners.  Families are …

No Shoes Inside

I found these tiny Crocs lined up neatly outside the door of a well-kept modern looking house at the Neema Orphanage on the road near Moshi, Tanzania. They belonged to the 4-5 year old group shown at left, a real bunch of live-wires.  The facilities were very nice, and the kids looked well-cared for, but …