Thank you for checking out how to support our family or special projects in Tanzania. There are so many needs throughout Tanzania and throughout the world that are worthy of your contributions. We encourage you to prayerfully consider whether you can give something extra to support global missions. If you are looking for alternative Christmas gifts that will really make a difference try some of the suggestions below.

Support for the Stubbs’ Family

Churches, organizations and individuals are invited to provide support for our family as

we serve the global church in Tanzania. On July 1, 2007 we became paid missionaries,

instead of volunteers as we were for the first year of service. Our compensation is set by

the ELCA and contributions do not change it one way or the other, but the ELCA certainly

encourages support that comes in for specific missionaries. The economy affects all walks

of life and reaches all around the world. Global Mission is trying to figure out how to cut
additional  expenses out of the current budget. Please pray for them as they make
important decisions regarding global mission projects and personnel.

Churches and individuals that sign covenant agreements with the ELCA for Stubbs’ family support of at least $2,000 have first priority for visits when we are back in the States summer 2011. THANK YOU to those that are already providing support. There are links to the churches on our LINKS page. You are an important part of God’s ministry in Tanzania and it is not possible without supporters like you.

For more details please check out:  www.elca.org/missionarysponsorship/

Project #1 Music Scholarships (undergraduate or graduate)

1)  A complete year’s tuition, room & board, medical insurance, and pocket money is about USD $2,700 per student. This is roughly four times the annual salary of the average Tanzanian and one large reason why education is such a privilege here.

Many of our music students have some sponsorship through their diocese, family and friends. There is a government loan program, but many of the music students do not qualify because they do not have sufficient academic credentials, though musically they are very strong. If you are interested in assisting with undergraduate music education at Makumira, money can be pooled or you can sponsor a specific student. Please e-mail us for specific details.

1. In order for Tanzanians to eventually run the music program at Makumira students must
   

2. have a Masters Degree in music. At present there are only four Masters of Music programs
   

3. in the entire continent of Africa, so students graduating from the Bachelor of Arts in Music
   

4. here (the only one in Tanzania) will have to go abroad to continue their education. Because
   

5. of the extremely low cost of living in Tanzania, raising funds to study abroad in impossible
   

6. without some sort of significant outside scholarship assistance. The next music student,
   

7. Pastor Seth Sululu has been approved for further musical studies and return as a qualified
   

8. music teacher at Makumira. As part of the international student application the student must
   state how they will pay for their education.
   

Project #2 Music Equipment

Thank you to the generosity of a number of donors, we now have basic sound and recording equipment at Makumira. Requests for recording projects are now coming in and this is a way that the music department can generate income locally to assist with future equipment purchases and help build a sustainable program. There is a great need and desire for quality recording. Currently groups travel up to 10 hours to make recordings that are generally poor quality. Makumira Music Department is now offering recording and it will benefit the music department, the music students, and the budgets of the groups. Our initial goal was to raise $14,800 to get basic studio equipment this year. We are DELIGHTED to report that we have now exceeded that goal. We are now purchasing more music hardware, software and equipment for our students to use and working on improving the recording studio facilities.

Support for the above projects goes through the ELCA directly. The donation will go to the designated

purpose and is tax-deductible according to IRS guidelines.  Here is how it gets credited to the particular

project out of the hundreds of projects the ELCA has:

1)  Write the check out to "The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",

2)  On the memo line of the check write one of the following:
       M/S/Stubbs    or   
       Global Gifts/TZ/Music Scholarships (specify Undergraduate or Graduate)  or
       Global Gifts/TZ/Music Equipment

3)  Enclose a letter giving your name, address and the purpose and amount of the gift (as above)

4)  Send to:

          ELCA Office for Global Gifts

          Attn:  Rev. Twila Schock

          8765 W Higgins Road

          Chicago, IL 60631

 

Project #3 Ketumbeine Famine Relief

Those that heard us speak this past summer heard a bit about the devastating famine in northern Tanzania. Ketumbeine region (where our home congregation has a companion congregation) was especially hard hit. Though much of Tanzania has now received refreshing and life-giving rains, Ketumbeine has only had about 30 minutes of rain since 2008. There is still need for food supplies in this area. Your contributions help to purchase a nutritious porridge mix, powdered milk, rice, and vitamin supplements. Contributions can be made through the ELCA Global Gifts office above, specify “TZ Ketumbeine Famine Relief.”

Project #4 Music Building

One of the long-term projects for the development of the music program at Makumira is to have a building that will have music classroom space, performance space, recording space, a music library and music computer lab, teaching studios, practice rooms, and displays of Tanzanian musical heritage. Preliminary architect’s plans are in hand and we will be applying to have this set up as another Global Gifts project through the ELCA when plans are ready to move forward. Contact us directly for more information.

As mentioned above, there are many worthy projects that can benefit from your financial contribution. A few of our favorites are included below. We have personally visited with leaders, workers, and/or on-site visits and think they are doing great things in Tanzania. Website links are included for you to get more information for yourself. We will also be happy to answer any questions if you like.

Project #5 Operation Bootstrap

A great organization benefitting thousands of children in East Africa. We have visited the Monduli Maasai Girls School and highly commend their work. Check them out at:  www.OperationBootstrapAfrica.org

Project #6 Heifer Project

Another great organization with many successful projects and stories in Tanzania. “Teach a man to fish: Helping hungry families feed themselves” is their basic mission. We have had a chance to meet with one of the families that started with one goat about 6 years ago and has done very well and now they are teaching others. How exciting! Check them out at:  www.heifer.org

Project #7 Adopt-a-School

Yet another great organization making a difference in the lives of school children and teachers in Tanzania. We are looking forward to collaborating on some music related projects this next year.  Check their website out at:  www.adoptaschool.info

Project #8 Ten for Tanzania

Chris from DeKalb started a campaign raising funds for scholarships so that families can afford to send their children to secondary school. He’s asking folks for just $10 to help make a difference in educational opportunities in Tanzania. The scholarship funds go to a remote Maasai village and are administered by a community scholarship board. In 2008-09 five children had the opportunity to attend school because of generous folks like you.  School fees are due in JANUARY of each year. No school fees, no education for the children. If you have questions you can contact by e-mail by clicking here:  Ten for Tanzania