Karla reports
Dear supporters of the Mbigili Children's Village, dear interested parties,
Now that the big June holidays are over, the children have returned to school for the second half of the year, and the children’s village is once again buzzing with activity. The maize harvest has been completed, and the maize is now being processed so it can be eaten next year. Amid the demanding and often long school days, the children enjoy various joyful Sunday activities that bring a welcome change of pace. These range from movie nights with popcorn, to making roasted bread or a waffle bakery, to shared hikes through the surrounding mountains. One particular favorite is baking Mandazi— a traditional Tanzanian snack usually eaten for breakfast. You can find them in restaurants, along roadside stalls, or sold fresh by women who carry them in containers balanced on their heads. These small, fried dough balls are made from yeast dough and are sometimes enhanced with cardamom for extra flavor.
In the Orphanage, we gather every Sunday afternoon at the large kitchen to divide up the tasks, making sure everyone has something to do. A housemother from the yellow house—who also bakes Mandazi at home on her days off—always lends us her helpful hands. Then comes the kneading of the dough, the fire is lit to heat up the charcoal so the frying oil gets hot enough. Next, the dough is cut into diamond-shaped pieces, one by one, and carefully dropped into the hot oil. The little children practice counting the Mandazi, so that each child and every mother can have one by the end of the evening. When the big pot is finally full and the golden-brown treats are ready, the whole kitchen fills with their delicious aroma. The children are overjoyed, eagerly anticipating the evening. As a movie plays, we all sit together, snacking on the warm, crispy Mandazi—sharing laughter, stories, and sweet moments.
The recipes and ingredients vary depending on the region in Tanzania. We have written down the version from the children's village, which can be found in the appendix.
Amidst all the beautiful moments that the warm July days bring, there was unfortunately a recent bereavement in the children's village. The wife of a farm worker passed away, leaving behind a three-week-old girl. Since the father cannot take on the care work alone, the baby has now moved into the children's village and found a beautiful new home in the yellow children's house. There she will be able to grow up until she is old enough to perhaps return to her family someday.
We wish you a wonderful summer and send warm greetings from the AOHM. Good luck with your baking!
The volunteers Jojo and Karla