A TANZANIAN tribesman is trying to raise awareness of the work done by an East Lancashire charity in the world's third poorest country.
Daniel Bujiku is visiting schools and churches in the area to spread the word about an orphanage run by Oswaldtwistle-based Northern Evangelical Trust.
Project Bethany was established in 1989 and currently provides shelter and education for 31 children.
The 26-year-old is perfectly placed to understand the plight of the country's street children and orphans. Having been brought up in a small village near Lake Victoria, his family lived in a three-roomed mud hut with a grass roof, and often went for days without food.
Daniel has six brothers and a sister and his father wanted him to follow in his grandfather's footsteps to become a witch doctor.
After starting primary school at 12, Daniel's father died and he couldn't afford to continue his education. He later found work and financed himself through two years at a mission-run theological college.
After leaving college Daniel worked for the Tanzanian Children's Rescue Centre for six months before joining the Bethany Project as a full-time volunteer.
"We have many orphaned children in Tanzania and street children," said Daniel.
"It's sad. We have been approached by people with boys but we have to say we are sorry we can't take them. Then they wander the streets with no one to look after them. It's sad but we are limited.
"The children we take in are privileged because they go to school and have food. It's like a home for them.
"Coming from the streets they don't have anywhere to sleep, or food or clothes. But they get all these when they come to the orphanage and they feel they have a family because of the atmosphere."
Daniel has been at the home for seven months and teaches the children English and Bible studies.
"Sometimes when they first come, if they have lost their parents recently, they need time. You need to try to encourage them and make sure they forget. But they feel they have brothers and parents there and enjoy being there.
"I was born in a very poor family so went through a lot of suffering. I realise where these children are coming from. I have sympathy and compassion with them.
"At the time it happened I felt very sad because it was a very difficult situation, but not now."
Daniel is staying in Oswaldtwistle until the end of the month and can't wait to tell everyone at home about life in England.
"Life here is quite different, very scientific and very complicated to me, very advanced.
"Life in Tanzania is simple. We walk barefoot. Here you see everyone in cars and there are nice roads and big houses here. People in Tanzania cook using firewood at home with smog around them.
"It's strange to see women in trousers. In Tanzania it's not acceptable to see women in trousers,."
One of the major differences is that most people in Tanzania still believe in witchcraft and women are still killed if they are suspected of practising it.
"Almost everybody believes in witchcraft because you are born in that culture and many people have been killed because they were suspected of being witches."
To donate to the Bethany Project, or volunteer to visit and work there, call Graham Pountain on 01254 399299.
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