Maria, pleased with the progress, felt it was time to go back to the people who have supported her and ARF by patronizing the stores over the last few months enabling more wells to be built, bucket kits installed and start up of vegetable farms for women in the rural villages.

A total of 10 wells will be completed by end of June, making total of twelve wells built by ARF.

Five different women’s groups have started their own farms with the help of ARF bucket kits imported from United States. Due to the rainy season these past three months ARF has delayed the installation of more kits, until end of June when the dry season starts again.

Maria herself has been very active in helping to set up farms, she provided starting tools of hoes, shovels, rakes and seeds for the women to start off their farms. She has also been participating in the well construction, making sure she monitors all the work personally. She has often been seen late in the evenings still in the villages with the builders.

Maria entertained special guests from Albany New York, namely Jean Dobbs who is the Spokesperson who accompanied Elaine Houston, Anchor TV Reporter of Channel 13 based in Albany NY.

She also received a group of Doctors from Albany, Dr. Shashi Patel a top orthopedic Surgeon from Schenectady and his wife Dr. Pratibah, pediatrician. Both have a special interest in what ARF and Maria is doing.

Another visitor to our project site was Dale Davidson, who has been very supportive of the cause and was involved in building a well for the ‘Water for Women’ project. Dale spent two weeks in Dar Es Salaam helping to build her own well, and worked side by side with the women on the different projects in the rural District of Mkuranga.

During her stay in US, Maria will be holding meetings and electing a new incoming African Reflections Foundation Board.

Also on the agenda this trip are meetings with various religious groups, organizations, individuals, and the media to relate what has been happening for the past three months.

Plans are underway for the procurement of new stores for the retailing of the arts and crafts which supports projects in Africa.

Maria plans to return to United States every three months to report on developments of ARF projects. She believes that regular fiscal reporting, and transparency is of great importance. She wants the people who support the organization to be part of the projects as they progress.

Maria has already met with Elaine Houston and Jean Dobbs, showing the results of the projects they initiated during their visit to Tanzania. Elaine and Jean have been on the move initiating fund raising for the projects in Albany NY.

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