The Bethany Project

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The Bethany Project
often referred to as The Bethany FAMILY
A Childrens home for orphaned, abandoned and
abused children
Registered in Tanzania as an NGO (non government
organisation) no. 8059
Administered in the UK by The Northern
Evangelical Trust ( Reg. charity 517995 )
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
WHAT is it?
Bethany is a childrens home caring for over 130
children (Feb 2009)
No mains water, electricity, gas, water or
drainage on site
Electricity provided by Solar panels enough for
lighting, computer, radio and battery chargers.
Not enough power for cooking, electric irons,
kettles etc. etc.
Water pumped (petrol and solar) from Lake
Victoria and purified with a UV lamp
Drainage provided by septic tanks
Gas non available other than bottled calor gas
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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WHERE?Tanzania East AfricaPopulation 38
millionLife Expectancy 45yrsHIV 1.6million
The Bethany Project
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The Bethany Project
SITUATED
80 Kilometers from Mwanza (Tanzanias second
largest city) 20 Kilometers from Magu(nearest
Market town with Internet access) Bethany is on
the shores of Lake Victoria in a very rural area
in the village of Yitwimila. We are in an area
of no employment. Villagers survive on what they
grow and depend on the two annual rainy seasons.
BETHANY
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
POVERTY
In Tanzania, (along with 6 others)is one of the
poorest countries in the world. GDP per
capita COMPARED TO Tanzania 800Kenya
1,800 South Africa 10,400 U K
37,400USA 48,000 Sources
www.aneki.com2008 estimates
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Interesting Facts
The Bethany Project
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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WHY?
The Bethany Project
The Project is run and administered by Christians
who have a long tradition of leading the way with
the alleviation of poverty and injustice. We
often quote from the bible the verses in James
chapter 1 verse 27This is true religion, pure
and undefiled in the sight of God, to look after
widows and orphans in their time of
need. Non-Christians who join us on short term
trips are motivated by various things from a love
for children and a desire to help to a desire for
an adventure etc. etc.
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
AIMS and OBJECTIVESBethanys aim is to help the
most underprivileged, deprived and vulnerable
members of society, especially orphaned
children, providing education where possible. It
will carry out this work with love, commitment
and compassion.
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
Tanzanian Culture Very very different from the
West (especially the UK) Tanzanians treat
visitors with respect Greetings, friendship,
manners and body language are very important.
Tanzanians like to appear amenable. Often
friendship is looked upon as being more important
than honesty. Some! government organisations are
corrupt and open to bribery. The Church suffers
from the same problems
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The Bethany Project
Education in Tanzania Some Pre-school education
is undertaken at Primary Schools (non
uniform) State Primary Education (free).
Children need to be provided with shoes, uniform
and books.Start at age 7yrs progress through
standards 1 to 7. Leave at 13yrs State Secondary
Education (free)Children need to be provided
with shoes, uniform, desk, books and some fees.
Entry by examination of pupils in Standard 7.
Varying pass rates depending on standard of
education at particular primary school and
availability of secondary school places in the
locality. (perhaps 50 overall). All teaching at
Secondary schools done in English. (one of the
more difficult exams the primary school children
need to pass to go to Secondary
school). Universities various Corporal
punishment is used. No boy girl relationships
allowedStandard of teaching poor (compared to
the West) especially the teaching of English.
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
Treatment of Women in Tanzania For the most part
women are treated as second class citizens and
expected to do much of the work including
fetching water, firewood, tending the crops,
cooking and waiting on the men. The women serve
the men their food first and then sit and eat
with the children. Different tribes treat women
differently. From the extreme cases of women
being ritually beaten (their husbands showing
they love them!) to an uneasy equality (rare).
The beating of women is common throughout
Tanzania. Marriage A dowry is required to be
provided by the man for the woman. The womans
family set the dowry, the amount depending on her
looks, her age, her education and the lightness
or darkness of her skin. (the lighter the skin
the higher the price). Payment will be made by
handing over a number of cows, goats etc as well
as money. Once the bride price has been agreed
the woman leaves to live with the man and his
family. Any children produced belong to the man.
Women are expected to provide children.
Separation is common and often a man may have one
wife but have children with other women he visits
from time to time.
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
Treatment of Children in Tanzania For the most
part children are looked upon as possessions.
Big families are favoured as the children will
hopefully provide for you in your old
age! Children are taught to respect adults and
older people in particular. Teachers and parents
maintain discipline through corporal punishment.
The value of other forms of keeping discipline
are not appreciated and rarely used (e.g.
rewarding good behaviour)
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project

• Volunteers needed Why?
• To become ambassadors for Bethany on their return
  enabling others to become aware of the work
  an appreciation of what has been achieved by
  financial supporters over the years who may not
  be able to visit.
• To help with practical jobs and or teaching
  especially English
• To encourage and stimulate the children
• To act as role models and to set an example by
  their behaviour and attitude.

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The Bethany Project

• Volunteers are asked to be
• Self disciplined.
• Be able to accept the leadership of those in
  charge.
• Overcome any phobias they may have.
• Be able to accept that the food prepared for them
  may not be to their liking but to appreciate it
  anyway!
• To be prepared to do anything needed.
• To put aside western values and see things from a
  new perspective.

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The Bethany Project

• Volunteers are asked to donate enough funds to
  cover the trip. This includes
• Main air-flight Manchester to Dar-es-Salaam -
  return ( 500 - 1,000 ) depending on time of
  year and how early the ticket is purchased.
• Internal flight from Dar-Es-Salaam to Mwanza (
  return ) - 200.
• Contribution (shared by visitors) towards diesel
  used to transport to and from the airport 90
  kilometers each way ( there and back twice ). (
  say 10)
• Contribution towards food and accommodation
  whilst at Bethany1 per day ( 13days 13 )
• Visa CTA (150) insurance

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The Bethany Project

• Bethany daily routine for Volunteers
• Breakfast by 7am, prayers and worship song and
  prayer at 7.20am. Work starts at 7.30am
• Lunch between 1 2pm
• Evening meal 6pm
• Evening worship with the children 7.30pm followed
  by discussion of the days events problems
• Bedtime 9pm

For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
Dress code for volunteers and visitors
Female Long skirts or even better Kangas (wrap
round piece of material) No trousers or shorts
unless worn under Kangas. Short sleeve T shirts
Male Trousers or shorts (when working).T shirts
whilst working and proper shirts and smart long
trousers for going out or for Sunday services on
site.
For more information www.bethanyonline.org
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The Bethany Project
Old dining room (now extended and rebuilt)
New Girls dormitory
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The Bethany Project
Classroom Block
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The Bethany Project
Refurbished Toddlers dorm
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Managers House
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The Bethany Project
Volunteers accommodation and multipurpose block
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The Bethany Project
THE END
For more information www.bethanyonline.org