Ailanga News
Ailanga News
Ailanga Sunday Jan 28, 2024
On January 28th, we celebrated our longstanding ties with the Ailanga Lutheran Junior Seminary in Tanzania with prayers and song. University Lutheran enjoyed a video from the school with blessings in Swahili and English delivered by Rev. Majola, Headmaster of Ailanga School, Jeff Berner provided a Temple Talk reflecting on a few past Ailanga trip stories, and we were treated to a display of Ailanga memorabilia in the lounge during coffee fellowship by past trip. Maple Leaf Lutheran had have 8 people participate in the service, as ushers/greeters, scripture reader, communion assistants and reading the prayers and had a table display.,
Summer 2025 is targeted for the next delegation trip to Ailanga for high school aged youth and interested adults. A gathering of potential delegates will be planned for spring of 2024. If you have interest or questions, please let the office know!
L-R: Lynn Farrier (Ailanga Board), Jeff Berner, Kristi Maschhoff, Andy Kopser, Scott Davies
Ailanga News Dec 23 & Jan 24
Ailanga Sunday January 28
January 28, 2024 will be Ailanga Sunday at our member churches. This is in accordance with the ASP partnership agreement that says: “we agree that our congregations and Ailanga Lutheran Junior Seminary shall on the Fourth Sunday of January each year join in prayer for each other, our congregations, and the students, faculty and staff at Ailanga”. Ailanga board members will be working with each of the churches to coordinate inclusion of Ailanga hymns, texts, and prayers into the services.
Potential summer 2025 delegation trip
The Ailanga School Project board has decided to target a delegation trip to Ailanga in the summer (late July-early August) of 2025. We have identified some youth and some chaperones who are interested and available for a 2025 trip. We think that the 2025 trip will be a youth delegation trip, but are open to other possibilities depending on those interested. Youth delegation trips are normally 6-10 youth and 2-4 chaperones. Youth should have completed their 10th grade year in school before going on the trip. We plan to get together with and then put together a preliminary list of delegates in the spring of 2024. If you have interest or questions, please let us know (see ASP board members below)
News from Ailanga Headmaster
(Nov 23) How is it now in Seattle? At Ailanga, Meru area as well as in Tanzania, it is raining. It is at the same time confusing because most of people they do not know how to use the rains. The farming calendar is from January/February.
We thank God for the safe/successful completion of Form II national examinations.
Today, they will go home for the long leave.
Please, convey our greetings to all friends of Ailanga
For more information contact:
Ailanga School Project website: https://www.ailanga.com/
Ailanga School Project Board
President (Rick Reuter) - rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Maple Leaf (Carol Chilcoat) –acchilcoat@aol.com
University (Lynn Farrier) – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Ailanga News Nov 23
Potential summer 2025 delegation trip
The Ailanga School Project board has decided to target a delegation trip to Ailanga in the summer (late July-early August) of 2025. We have identified some youth and some chaperones who are interested and available for a 2025 trip. We think that the 2025 trip will be a youth delegation trip, but are open to other possibilities depending on those interested. Youth delegation trips are normally 6-10 youth and 2-4 chaperones. Youth should have completed their 10th grade year in school before going on the trip. We plan to get together with and then put together a preliminary list of delegates in the spring of 2024. If you have interest or questions, please let us know (see ASP board members below)
News from Ailanga Headmaster
(Aug 23) Receive many greetings from Ailanga Meru Diocese and Tanzania.
All of us teachers and students are doing fine.
The students were on their Mid-Term examinations before the short break.
The Mid-term break, two weeks, will start from the 1st September 2023.Concerning the crops harvest, it is really difficult because up to now the prices are twice as high as last year. Almost every commodity price has risen due to the high price of fuel.
According to the question you asked about the number of students who completed at Ailanga and come back for Form V. A good number of them were selected to join the Government best high schools and they are happy.
(Sept 13) From Monday next week, the rest of the students will be back at Seminary. About the number of students in Form V and VI is not enough as we expected; currently we have form V ten and VI twelve. Therefore the seminary utilizes the “A-Level teachers, to teach lower classes.
Please, convey our heartly greetings to all friends of Ailanga.
For more information contact:
Ailanga School Project website: https://www.ailanga.com/
Ailanga School Project Board
President (Rick Reuter) - rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Maple Leaf (Carol Chilcoat) –acchilcoat@aol.com
University (Lynn Farrier) – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Ailanga News Oct 23
News from Ailanga Headmaster (8 Aug 2023)
(Aug 23) Receive many greetings from Ailanga Meru Diocese and Tanzania.
All of us teachers and students are doing fine.
The students were on their Mid-Term examinations before the short break.
The Mid-term break, two weeks, will start from the 1st September 2023.Concerning the crops harvest, it is really difficult because up to now the prices are twice as high as last year. Almost every commodity price has risen due to the high price of fuel.
According to the question you asked about the number of students who completed at Ailanga and come back for Form V. A good number of them were selected to join the Government best high schools and they are happy.
(Sept 13) From Monday next week, the rest of the students will be back at Seminary. About the number of students in Form V and VI is not enough as we expected; currently we have form V ten and VI twelve. Therefore the seminary utilizes the “A-Level teachers, to teach lower classes.
Please, convey our heartly greetings to all friends of Ailanga.
Potential summer 2024 or 2025 delegation trip
The Ailanga School Project board is considering whether we will have a delegation trip to Ailanga in the summer (late July-early August) of 2024 or more likely 2025. We have talked with many people who may be interested in being a part of such a trip. We are open to different types of delegations, depending on the interest. Our previous delegations have been:
• Youth delegations (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017) – normally 6-10 youth and 2-4 chaperones. Youth should have completed their 10th grade year in school before going on the trip. Note: the ELCA youth convention is July 16-20 2024; the dates don’t conflict with an Ailanga trip, but youth may not desire or be able to do both
• Adult delegations (2012, 2019) – normally 6-12 adults
We will decide in our October board meeting whether we will have a trip in 2024. If not, we will set summer 2025 as our next target. If you have interest or questions, please let us know (see ASP board members below)
For more information contact:
Ailanga School Project website: https://www.ailanga.com/
Ailanga School Project Board
President (Rick Reuter) - rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Maple Leaf (Carol Chilcoat) –acchilcoat@aol.com
University (Lynn Farrier) – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Ailanga News Sept 23
News from Ailanga Headmaster (8 Aug 2023)
At Ailanga everything is ok. Students and staff members were doing well.
Note: In his June message Rev. Majola said: We thank God for the selection of Form V 2023/24. The last year (2022) form IV were 67, out of them 66 were selected by the government to join high schools and colleges. The remainder (one) will join a vocational training center. All of us are happy about the outcome. Based on this, we asked what students may stay at Ailanga for forms V and VI. “Form” indicates grade level – Form I is similar to US grade 7, form VI is similar to US grade 12+
His response is: About the students who were selected to join A Level or Colleges, very few turn back to continue with form V and VI. The obstacle is the tuition fees. The government schools and colleges are free or with less contributions. Sometimes there are those who report to the school according to their selection, but find it difficult to continue with poor facilities. Some of them are the ones coming back to Ailanga to continue with form V and VI.
The Seminary welcomes the delegation for 2024 as well as 2025. In July and August, the seminary will be open.
Please, convey our heartly greetings to all friends of Ailanga.
Potential summer 2024 or 2025 delegation trip
The Ailanga School Project board is starting to consider whether we will have delegation trip to Ailanga in the summer of 2024 (likely late July-early August) or more likely 2025. We have started to talk with people who may be interested in being a part of such a trip. We are open to different types of delegations, depending on the interest. Our previous delegations have been:
• Youth delegations (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017) – normally 6-10 youth and 2-4 chaperones. Youth should have completed their 10th grade year in school before going on the trip. Note: the ELCA youth convention is July 16-20 2024; the dates don’t conflict with an Ailanga trip, but youth may not desire or be able to do both
• Adult delegations (2012, 2019) – normally 6-12 adults
If you have interest or questions, please let us know (see see ASP board members below)
For more information contact:
Ailanga School Project website: https://www.ailanga.com/
Ailanga School Project Board
President (Rick Reuter) - rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Maple Leaf (Carol Chilcoat) –acchilcoat@aol.com
University (Lynn Farrier) – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Ailanga News July 2023
News from Ailanga Headmaster (14 June 2023)
We are fine at Ailanga. Form II and IV are doing fine with their revisions. They will go home for the short break next week. We thank God for the rains. It is green at Ailanga now. We hope that crops produced will be good for the high altitudes, because the low lands received very little rain. Still the families face challenges due to the high cost of living.
Thank you for your trip plan in 2024. For us it is convenient to visit Ailanga in July-August; the weather is good and the students will be at school.
We thank God for the selection of Form V 2023/24. The last year (2022) form IV were 67, out of them 66 were selected by the government to join high schools and colleges. The remainder (one) will join a vocational training center. All of us are happy about the outcome.
Note: “Form” indicates grade level – Form I is similar to US grade 7, form VI is similar to US grade 12+
Potential summer 2024 delegation trip
The Ailanga School Project board is starting to consider whether we will have delegation trip to Ailanga in the summer of 2024 (likely late July-early August). We have started to talk with people who may be interested in being a part of such a trip. We are open to different types of delegations, depending on the interest. Our previous delegations have been:
• Youth delegations (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017) – normally 6-10 youth and 2-4 chaperones. Youth should have completed their 10th grade year in school before going on the trip. Note: the ELCA youth convention is July 16-20 2024; the dates don’t conflict with an Ailanga trip, but youth may not desire or be able to do both
• Adult delegations (2012, 2019) – normally 6-12 adults
If you have interest or questions, please let us know (see contacts for each of the churches below)
The Ailanga School Project Board
Ailanga School Project Board President Rick Reuter: rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Faith – pastor@faithseattle.org
Maple Leaf –acchilcoat@aol.com
Prince of Peace – princeofpeaceshoreline@gmail.com
University – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Ailanga News June 2023
News from Ailanga Headmaster (19 May 2023)
Receive greetings from Ailanga Seminary and Tanzania.
All of us are fine and the school timetable is going on well.
We thank God that the Form VI National examinations went on well.
They completed their examinations and left the school. We hope their results will be good.
The rest of the students are doing their terminal examinations until the end of this month.
Two classes, form II and IV, will stay at the school for three weeks in June due to the national examination at the end of year.
How is it in Seattle? We hope and pray for you. May God bless you
Potential summer 2024 delegation trip
The Ailanga School Project board is starting to consider whether we will have delegation trip to Ailanga in the summer of 2024. We have started to talk with people who may be interested in being a part of such a trip. If you have interest, please let us know (see contacts for each of the churches below)
The Ailanga School Project Board
Ailanga School Project Board President Rick Reuter: rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Faith – pastor@faithseattle.org
Maple Leaf –acchilcoat@aol.com
Prince of Peace – princeofpeaceshoreline@gmail.com
University – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Ailanga News May 2023
News from Ailanga Headmaster (4 Apr 2023)
Receive greetings from Ailanga Seminary and myself.
We thank God that all of us are fine.
The students went home on Saturday (Apr 1) for Mid-term break. They will come back to school on 11th of April – next.
Staff members will start Easter break from tomorrow.
From Thursday this week, (Apr 4 2023), an Easter conference will be conducted at Ailanga. The members of the conference are youth groups from all secondary schools within Meru geographical area. Both private and the government secondary schools.
The rains started at the end of last week. We hope it will bring relief for our life.
Please convey our greeting to our friends.
Asante sana! (Thank you very much)
The Ailanga School Project Board
Ailanga News April 2023
News from Ailanga Headmaster (7 Mar 2023)
Ailanga uses the funds that we donate to them to address their needs. In part to ensure that high performing students can study at Ailanga, they may decide to give scholarships to these students. Rev. Majola told us that the school has decided to use some of the $10,000 that we transmitted to them in February to provide scholarships to these 2 students.
Ailanga News March 2023
News from Ailanga Headmaster (3 Feb 2023)
Receive greetings from Ailanga Seminary and Meru Diocese.
Thank you for the information about 22nd January, about our partnership.
It is true, we receive some rain, but now it is dry, and hot during the day hours.
We are still working together with chaplain concerning the Ailanga graduates as well as their stores. One of them is in USA at California state.
It is true that the government has improved their school. The competition is very high especially when you consider the economic situation of most parents. On top of infrastructure improvement, the government announced free education from primary to Secondary school.
The result for Form IV National Examinations was announced and Ailanga passed well, for the first time with 2.3 GPA
We thank you so much for the support through prayer and materials.
Please Mr. Rick convey our best wishes to our friends.
ASP Board News
In order to help Ailanga through this difficult time, we have wired $10,000 to them. Thanks to everyone for their contributions
Asante sana! (Thank you very much)
The Ailanga School Project Board
Ailanga News February 2023
Ailanga Sunday January 22
January 22 was Ailanga Sunday, which is the 4th Sunday of every January when we pray for the Ailanga Lutheran Junior Seminary and they pray for us and our partner congregations. Maple Leaf has 11 youth and 7 adults who have been delegates to visit the school in Tanzania. Ten of these participated in the service on the 22nd, including being ushers, communion assistants, scripture and prayer readers. At University Lutheran, gifts from Ailanga as well as delegate photos were on display. A total of 122 delegates and chaperones have traveled to Ailanga since 2004, with thirty-six representing ULC, some having traveled more than once. Here are some photos from the ULC Ailanga Sunday coffee hour
News from Ailanga Headmaster
At Ailanga everything is fine, students are back for their studies as well as teachers.
We thank God, it rains for few days and it is green. Thank you for the next Sunday Service plans. We appreciate your effort and faith in God. We are going to do the same.
We are fully interested in your request of board members to have ideas about Ailanga graduate since 2006. Our chaplain tried to have short list as follows:
Ailanga graduates since 2006, as they accomplished.
· 4 boys are Lutheran Pastors
· 3 girls are lawyers
· 4 boys are lawyers
· 4 boys are doctors
· 4 girls are doctors
· 12 boys are engineers
· 9 girls are engineers
· 12 boys are teachers
· 10 girls are teachers
· 12 boys are sociologists
· 10 girls are sociologists
· 5 boys are political leaders in different regions
· 2 girls are political leaders in different regions.
· More graduates were business self-employed in different parts of Tanzania
· The last one is in the USA at California State
Concerning the telescope, the equipment is supporting science subjects teaching at Ailanga as well as our neighboring schools. In February, there will be a science teachers’ workshop.
Please Mr. Rick convey our sincere greeting to all Ailanga friends.
Please keep the Ailanga School Project in your thoughts and prayers. Donations may be made via check or PayPal.
Please make checks to: Ailanga School Project, ℅ Faith Lutheran Church, 8208 18th Ave NE, Seattle, 98105.
For PayPal, please use this link: https://paypal.me/AilangaSchoolProject?locale.x=en_US. All money coming to the Ailanga School Project will go to meet the current need.
For more information contact:
Ailanga School Project website: https://www.ailanga.com/
Ailanga School Project Board President Rick Reuter: rjandshreuter@gmail.com
Faith – pastor@faithseattle.org
Maple Leaf –acchilcoat@aol.com
Prince of Peace – princeofpeaceshoreline@gmail.com
University – scottnlynn@hotmail.com
Asante sana! (Thank you very much)
The Ailanga School Project Board
Ailanga News January 2023
Ailanga Sunday January 22
January 22 will be Ailanga Sunday at our member services. This is in accordance with the ASP partnership agreement that says: “we agree that our congregations and Ailanga Lutheran Junior Seminary shall on the Fourth Sunday of January each year join in prayer for each other, our congregations, and the students, faculty and staff at Ailanga”. Ailanga board members are working with each of the churches to coordinate inclusion of Ailanga hymns, texts, and prayers into the services.
Delegate Reunion
On December 4, 2022 we had a reunion of people who were members of delegations that visited Ailanga on past trips. Those attending shared memories of their trips, heard updates on the activities of Ailanga and the Ailanga School Project board, and made suggestions for improvement in communication.
ASP Activities since 2017
The images show the material presented at the December 4, 2022 delegate reunion. They identify the activities of the Ailanga School Project since that presented at the March 4, 2017 Ailanga Dinner.
Delegation Trips
Unfortunately due to COVID, we have not been able to have any delegation trips since 2019. We are considering a trip for 2024, whether this be a chaperone guided youth trip, an adult trip, or potentially a family trip.
However, we have maintained a strong relationship with Ailanga, primarily via communication with Headmaster Rev. Emmanuel Majola. These communications have primarily addressed how the school and its students are doing, and the school’s needs. A key topic in the last year has been health considering COVID. Although Rev. Majola expressed concerned when students were returning from break, remarkably there has been little problem at Ailanga (they have instituted various procedure to minimize the risk). Another key topic has been Ailanga’s financial shortfall, as the effects of COVID caused many families to be unable to afford the full tuition. Through the much-appreciated financial support of our contributors, ASP was able to provide funds to help them through much of this. However now the drought they are experiencing is again causing many families to be unable to afford the full tuition. The ASP board is discussing how best to respond to this. Donations are welcome to help us to respond.
We also distribute monthly for publication in member church newsletters “Ailanga News” to help keep church members aware of what is happening at Ailanga. Many of these “Ailanga News” updates are included below.
Ailanga News September 2022
News from Ailanga Headmaster
At Ailanga we are fine; teachers and students.
According to the government calendar, all schools were opened on Monday 05, September 2022. At Ailanga the students reported few on Monday (Only 110 students) arrived. The rest were arriving day after a day. Up to now (Sept 9), the number of students arrived is 185 out of the expected 245. 60 students have not yet arrived. The main reason is the economic crisis, especially drought. We are facing a big problem with food. The food prices have risen by 100%. Last year one bag of maize was Tshs. 60,000/, currently it is Tshs. 120,000/ twice as much. The prices of fuel and other items were increasing daily. The families’ situation is complicated. For those who are at school, they are enjoying their studies.
The Seminary didn’t change the school fee structure due to high prices of food items and fuel. One of the reasons was/is the economic situation of the parents/guardians. The economic hardship we are facing is the same as most of the families’ situation. The seminary community considers the economic crisis as ours as we are from the same family and the entire community suffering. The Seminary SMT and the staff members together agreed to receive half-salary and sometimes in groups – from Junior to Senior. We also agreed to change the students’ meals menu. For example, to take meat once instead of twice a week, to take rice twice a week instead of three times.
Students take black tea instead of tea with milk due to the lack/low production of milk as a result of drought. What encouraged me most is that; the students were happy to stay and study. On the side of the Board of the Seminary, the decisions are to reduce the number of staff. This was done for about 15%. To reduce the administration cost, such as travelling cost, meetings and other expenses.
Ailanga News May 2022
Ailanga School Project Sent Funds to Ailanga
In January and February, we asked the Ailanga Headmaster about their present needs. His responses said that they needed money for textbooks and for staff salaries. We sent $11000 to Ailanga to enable them to buy $3000 of books and use the rest to pay staff salaries. Although we generally intend the funds we send be used in improving school facilities, equipment, and educational material rather than for operational expenses, we have been helping with staff salaries since 2020 to help the school through this difficult time. Thank you for your contributions that make this possible.
News from Ailanga Headmaster
Receive greeting from Ailanga Seminary and Meru Diocese. We thank God that every one of us; students and staff members are fine. On May 9th Form Six [students] started their final examinations safely. How is Seattle? In our daily life, the war in Ukraine has a great impact especially on fuel and food prices.
The seminary managed to buy textbooks for each subject as seen in the photos. Both teachers and students are happy to have the most important texts. Thank you so much, may God bless you all.
Ailanga News February 2022
News from Ailanga Headmaster
We asked the Ailanga Headmaster about their present needs. In a previous message he said that they needed money for textbooks. A follow-on request about other needs and also about the lower number of students presently at Ailanga resulted in this response:
At Ailanga Seminary, all students and staff members are fine. Thank you a lot for the support of buying textbooks.
The other need for the Seminary is the staff salaries. Every month we are to pay Tsh 30.5 million, equivalent to USD 10,000. For the time being we have managed to pay half salary.
Concerning the number of students, parents fail to bring students to Ailanga due to economic hardships. Even with the number of students we have in school, their parents signed a special form in order to pay by installment. The economic crisis is striking and affecting every aspect of our lives.
The Ailanga School Project intends to send funds to help the school through this difficult time. In order to support this, we would appreciate any donations the you may be able to give.
Ailanga News December 2021
Joint Ailanga Prayers January 23
COVID-19 has resulted in much uncertainty regarding potential travel to Ailanga. We're not sure when we will be able to travel to Tanzania again. We had been thinking summer of 2023, but now that is in increasing doubt. We can, however, continue to support the Ailanga Junior Lutheran Seminary from Seattle.
Please join us for special prayers for Ailanga Junior Lutheran Seminary during our Sunday, January 23, worship. On this day, Ailanga Junior Lutheran Seminary will also be praying for us, for the fight against COVID-19, and for the global effort to slow climate change and show resilience while living with its increasing perils.
Ailanga School News from Headmaster:
Thank you for your greetings and updates.
All of us, students and staff members were fine. We thank God this moment, nearly the end of 2021. It is our great pleasure also to inform you that Form IV have completed their National examinations today successfully. All of them managed examinations without problems (especially health problems).
Your idea for having joint prayer, at the end of January probably fourth week of January 23/01/2022), is a brilliant idea. What is needed is our common topics (needs) for prayer. On our side, we would like to pray for God's protection against Covid – 19, climate change and our partnership
Masks still Available: Given the spreading of particularly the Omicron variant of COVID, it appears that we will need to wear masks for some time. The Ailanga School Project continues to offer masks to support the Ailanga Lutheran Junior Seminary. Most of the masks are made from Tanzanian fabric, and they are all wonderful! If you’d like a few of these for yourself, friends, and family, please email Julie Pierce from Faith, pierce42@hotmail.com
Ailanga News October 2021
News from Ailanga Headmaster
Receive many greetings from Ailanga and Meru Diocese.
We hope you and all friends of Ailanga are fine. All students and staff members are doing well. Form One and Three are back from Mid-Term break. We thank God the good health of all of our members of Ailanga community.
The Seminary is trying to construct a cow-shed (see photo) so that we can improve the projects. Also the students were preparing their garden.
Concerning the threat of Covid-19, we still taking precautions. The only problem is the economic hardship of the parents.
The entry examination for new Form One 2022 was done on 18/09/2021 and we get 40 students. The seminary is still announcing another day for entry examinations. This time the examinations may be outside the Seminary.
Last week we conducted election for the students’ new government. (Photo).
Form two (FII) and Four (IV), are on preparation for the National Examination which will commence from 1st November 2021.
Please convey our hearty greeting to all friends of Ailanga.
