Updates from Fr Bruno
Medicines and vitamins shipped by the Boise medical team were received. The security gates and fence projects at Ibumila have been completed. All family centers now have cows (Ibumila -6, Mafinga -2, Uwemba -1). The baby chickens project started to test, and many more chickens were raised. The piano keyboard was purchased and installed in Ibumila church. The music instructor is giving lessons to several matrons and children. We are caring for 155 kids this year. Overall, they are doing great!
Medical Updates
Due to Coronavirus travel restrictions, the medical team has postponed their 2020 visit for over a year. Instead, they are working remotely with Fr Bruno and Sr Margareth to continue focusing on providing optimal nutrition and health monitoring and support for all our children. For some who came into our care with special needs, it’s arranging for specialized treatment like physical therapy or eyeglasses. It’s routine vaccinations, dental care, and a strong focus on a healthy diet.
TOUCO has invested heavily over the last several years with projects to expand each UPENDO family with options for milk with their cow, more chickens for meat and eggs, fish pond development for fish, and avocado and fruit production at Madeke farm. All of these efforts support this nutritional foundational goal. They also align with Fr Bruno’s vision of fostering resilience and self-sufficiency in the children by providing hands-on practical life skills, education, training, and self-discipline to succeed after graduation.
New Convent house for Teresina Sisters – Ibumila
We thank God and all supporters for building this new Convent. For sure, now we live as sisters. We have all the rooms we need: chapel, sitting room, store, kitchen, mess, and sleeping rooms inside the single building, as seen below.
What do the Sisters do at TOUCO?
Sr Herena Nyama supervises all TOUCO farm projects (Madeke, Nderenyuma, Ikang’asi) and also maintains sewing cooperative machines when she is at home here in Ibumila.
Sr Frida Mdemu runs the church and all catechesis work. She manages, assists, and trains the matrons, and also helps run the small store that caters to local villagers.
Sr Margareth Tumaini deals with all children’s issues, including background, relatives, and home problems. She also deals with government (social welfare), preparing reports, receiving documents, children’s health, and teaching kindergarten.
2021 Plans
- We are breaking ground to build a home suitable for older TOUCO students who are unable to return to the village or extended family after completing elementary school.
- Focus on job skills training opportunities for older students—vocational training, apprenticeships, etc.
- We will continue implementing and developing the Medical team’s recommendations. We have customized physical therapy plans for several children with developmental issues. We are also continuing C-19 safety.
- Modest increases in acres planted of avocado, casava, and tree planting and management. Expansions of family animal enclosures (cows, pigs, chickens).
- The board is working to set up a TOUCO Foundation to provide long-term financial support for Fr Bruno’s mission. If you can make a large donation now or would like to include TOUCO in your will/estate planning, please reach out so we can include you in these important planning efforts.
