Tengeru market doubles as educational facility
By our correspondent
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President Mkapa
(seated centre) in a group photograph with members of the Rotary Club of
Arusha after officially opening the Tengeru women=s
market and educational facility. |
President Benjamin William Mkapa last Saturday
officially opened the Tengeru Women's market and educational facility, the
Rotary Club of Arusha's centennial project.
The inauguration of the market comes ahead of celebrations of 100 years of
service of Rotary Club on February 23, this year, marked by Rotary clubs
worldwide.
Rotarians from as far away as New Zealand and Canada assisted the Arusha club
with cost of the project, the largest donation coming from New Zealand who
contributed 72 million shillings.
Three Rotarians from New Zealand attended the ceremony including Past District
Governor, Stuart Batty from Christchurch.
AThe goal set two years ago, is now a reality. The women have their gardens for
horticultural training, they have the facility to learn health issues, and
indeed they have their market, said Mr. Batty during the inaugural ceremony.
Other major contributors from overseas were Rotary International $ 24,000;
Rotary Club of Guildford $ 10,000; Britain/Tanzania Society $ 6,000 while
locally Dekker Bruins donated $ 4,000 and Arusha Duluti contributed the valuable
three acres of land and $ 8,000.
In her address, Ms Faye Cran (Mama Kuku) recognised some workers - Wilson Mtae,
who had worked with her as a child; Saraan; Eliza Mushi; Pius Joseph; and Julius
Mwalima who had worked through Sundays and public holidays to accomplish the
tremendous achievement of completing the market in only 90 days.
She also thanked Peter from Hearts Helping Hands for his support to the women
involved the horticulture project.
Mama Kuku said the market was built to accommodate 1,400 vendors, but the
previous Saturday there were over 2,550 vendors and 5,000 customers, which
necessitated the building of the extra plinth that had been completed in five
days only.
At their weekly Rotary meeting the club and in particular Mama Kuku were
congratulated for the facility.
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