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Greetings from Tanzania! I wanted to write this letter to give you an update on my work and life.

It has been one year since Meredith died on 3/24/06. On that day Jesse, two of Meredith’s good friends and I went to a hillside near our house which was one of Meredith’s favorite places in Arusha. I read a poem, and Jesse read Psalm 23, and then we told stories filled with memories of Meredith and told how we continue to miss her and feel the loss. We finished by drinking a glass of wine and then returned to my house for lunch. I know Meredith would have approved of the day. I also think Meredith would be happy with the way the boys and I are adjusting and the changes that have occurred in this past year.

Since the start of the New Year I have been busy with a lot of traveling. I am feeling the difficulties that single parents face when balancing work with children. I am learning that it is not easy.

I had a meeting with the Heifer fish farming coordinators from each of the four zones and also had the opportunity to visit some of the projects. What I am now realizing is that my contribution is needed less and less. The coordinators and our partners, who we have trained and worked with over the last six years, are now competent in fish farming and capable of carrying on the work on their own. They are really doing good work.

I come to realize this with mixed feelings. On one hand there is some sadness because I know my role here is coming to an end. It feels good to be needed and I like my work and the people I work with. On the other hand what I feel more strongly is a sense of accomplishment in the fact I have done what Heifer has asked me to do— that is to set up an aquaculture development program train and mentor Tanzanians in the four zones. There are now 3000 families in 450 villages raising fish in 4000 ponds for food and income, and over 500 trained motivators and project supervisors. I think my job is coming to an end. I give thanks to God for this.

I have started to visit some of the other African countries where Heifer is working. I visited Cameroon and Malawi and I plan to go to Mozambique next month. I am checking on the feasibility of Heifer to start fish farming work there and to provide direction, training, and technical support in the start up phases. I will remain based in Arusha.

The needs are many and the opportunities for fish farming development in these countries are great. The people are poor. In Malawi I was told that in the rural areas people can only afford to buy meat twice a year. There is plenty of water and land favorable for fish farming and the people are interested and eager to raise fish.

In one village I visited in Malawi there was a self initiated group of fish farmers who built 25 ponds but were only able to stock fish in three of the ponds. The other 22 ponds are filled with water but without fish because the farmers lack the money to purchase fish for stocking. In villages like that Heifer can play an important role by providing fish stock (in the form of “Passing on the Gift”).

I also observed a gap between the “fish experts” and the farmers in the villages. There are weak training and extension systems in fish farming in the countries I visited. Although the farmers are interested in fish farming they lack the skills needed to do it successfully. This is another area where Heifer can assist by training farmers and motivators in fish farming and supporting village based extension services. With just these two interventions (training and providing fish stock) Heifer can have a great impact in improving the nutrition and incomes of the farmers in these areas. I am confident that these projects can be successful like the ones in Tanzania.

I also give thanks to God for the printing of the book “Daring to Hope” that Erwin Kinsey and I wrote and Meredith edited. It is about the work of Heifer over the last 30 years in Tanzania. We are very pleased with the book and have been receiving positive feedback. If you want to learn more about this work order one for your Church library. You can order a copy from Heifer International, 1 World Ave. Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202. The price is $45 plus $5 shipping. They can accept checks, money orders, and credit cards but not cash. You can contact Rebecca Hill 501-907-2648.

Again let me give thanks for your continued support for the work here. May God bless your congregation and the work that you are doing in the USA and throughout the World.

Peace and blessings,

Dennis Murnyak