There is a saying in Swahili: Pole pole ndio mwendo, haraka haraka haina baraka. In English you would say "slowly but surely." This phrase captures how EBLI has been overcoming recent challenges. 

Several generous individuals have enabled EBLI to begin to recover from the theft that occurred in October 2015. From the entire staff and beneficiaries at EBLI, thank you all so very much who have contributed!

Specifically, because of these donations, EBLI has been first and foremost able to bolster the security of its premises, including iron doors and improved locks. Additionally, we have begun to replace some of the stolen items, including a generator and four desktop computers. It is our hope that by the end of this month EBLI will have fully restored its Young Mothers Computer Literacy project. 

It is the challenges of life that test you, shape you and define your character, for they present the opportunity to respond with either anxiety or faith. We choose the latter.

Recently, a gang of armed thieves broke into our computer classroom in the middle of the night and proceeded to steal nearly twenty computers and three generators (which are used to provide our electrical power). While the financial loss is large, the greatest loss is not being able to continue computer literacy training for 100 deserving young mothers each year. But we don't want to let that happen. After all, we see this as an opportunity to rebuild our young mothers computer literacy project, and supply them with even more adequate and capable machines. 

But we need your help!

We are seeking funding to purchase replacement computers and generators for our young mothers project. To minimize costs and help us reach our goal faster, we will purchase locally available machines. Our goal is to purchase twenty computers costing an estimated $200 each and at least two generators costing $500 each. In total, we are aiming to fundraise $5,000 by the end of 2015. 

If you would like to help, please donate to Michael Leen's Ministry Account with Maryknoll Lay Missioners by using this secure online form. Not only is your gift tax-deductible (if you are an American citizen), but also you will enable EBLI to continue its computer literacy project for vulnerable, young mothers here in Tanzania.

Some have already offered to ship computers to us in Tanzania, but due to the cost and unreliability (damage, theft) of shipping, we suggest that a donation to Michael Leen's Ministry Account is the safest and easiest way to ensure our computer classroom is up and running as soon as possible.

Know that EBLI is already taking action to bolster security of its premises to protect future equipment (including a double entryway of iron bar doors), and that no one at EBLI was harmed during the robbery.

Thank you in advance for your support. Everything we do in Tanzania is made possible by the generosity of others, and for it we could not be more grateful. You make the difference!

Another group of young mothers recently completed a four month computer course and fifteen days of intensive business training, and are in the midst of preparing for their graduation ceremony scheduled for 16 October 2016. 

In the computer classroom, these young mothers learned an introduction to computers, Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher, and Internet and typing speed. This batch of young mothers faced the unique challenge of the local electricity supply being cut nearly every single day for the past several months, forcing us to be much more reliant on backup generator power than usual.

On the business side, these young mothers learned the basics of entrepreneurship and how to choose, start and manage a small business.  Four group enterprises were formed and business plans written for two restaurant groups, an event decorating business and a handmade fabrics business. Each group discussed what was needed to start its business in terms of supplies, time and capital, and formed a plan to accomplish each goal. A fifth group was also formed aiming to help those more interested in traditional employment, including how to write a cover letter and CV.