Words from Tanzania

There is a national holiday in Tanzania called Saba-saba, which means the seventh day of the seventh month, and it’s purpose is to show off and promote the country’s products and outputs.

We caught wind that a local show was being held in the town of Same, and we jumped right in to secure a banda to display the ELCT Diocese of Pare’s wares. We don’t have much inventory, but with some real initiative and effort, we were able to get a nice banner made, bake and cook items with the nutritious amaranth grain, and even package the amaranth seeds and flour in new non-plastic bags which now follows the national guidelines. Some tailored items such as handbags, money pouches, cloth coasters, some baskets and newly made batiks were shown also! We had all of 1-1/2 days to prepare, and we felt pretty good about our effort and the Diocese’s exposure to the community.

Held at the local market and soccer field grounds, there was plenty of activity to pass the time. Lori made amaranth-laden snack crackers and had them on hand- they were a big hit. Just good to get out and be part of the community!