ETI has had so much going on that we didn’t even update the blog for a few weeks! So let’s take a look now at the activities of the past month. First up? The Exchange Tour – November 9-17.

ETI was so happy to welcome our guests from Karagwe. Dr. Andrew Cesari and Pastor Jackson Kanyiginya traveled from Tanzania to Minnesota to help raise awareness of the initiatives in Karagwe and to help ETI connect with its partners and supporters. Dr. Andrew is head of the Nyakahanga Hospital and Chair of the Task Force for the Rural Opportunity Centers (ROCs). Pastor Jackson is the co-founder of Bweranyange Girls Secondary School in Karagwe and who initiated the establishment of the Bweranyange Dormitory at KARUCO College. The Minnesota schedule was intense and included the following:

Nov 9   – Arrival was delayed in Istanbul; then Chicago, so we lost a day of our time together.

Nov 10 – Arrival, then ETI Reception and Dinner at Andiamo in Eagan.

Nov 11 –  Dr. Andrew & Pastor Jackson present at partner church, Victory Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie. Pastor Prigge at Victory gave the team from Karagwe a chance to thank parishoners and give an update on the opening of KARUCO College and initiation of Rural Opportunity Centers (ROCs). It was joy to see our partners at Victory. Later, the team enjoyed an ETI Board dinner together at the Hansen’s home in Eagan.

Nov 12 – Dawn Marie Nelmark and Omar Jarrar at Second Harvest Heartland provided an extremely interesting tour of the 2nd Harvest facility in Maplewood. The team from Karagwe was inspired by the operations to provide food and end hunger. There are many similarities between the U.S. and Tanzania as they address nutrition and food issues. 2nd Harvest was inspiring in its intent, focus, operations and heart.

Nov 13 – Dr. Andrew Cesari and Pastor Jackson met with Dan Keyport of Chaska Rotary regarding the water provision grant initiated by ETI Board member, Christopher Jones. Jan Hansen also attended as the group helped shape the grant. The board was pleased to meet with Pastor Jackson who presented briefly to the board and to partner, Chris Johnstone (UMN). (Dr. Andrew was under the weather so rested at the hotel in preparation for the upcoming rigorous schedule.)

Nov 14 –  EVS Engineering in Eden Prairie hosted a discussion with the Karagwe team regarding solar in Karagwe. Engineers George and Kyle and EVS leadership — partners Dennis and Sungsook Kim and VP of Business Development, Steve Hansen– framed some steps to take to provide solar in Karagwe. Joining the team was Bruce Engel (architect from NY) who contributed to the meetings and joined ETI and KAD for a dinner planning session.

Nov 15 – ETI GIVING DAY. Working Day #4: This was a big day for ETI starting at 6:15AM and ending at 9:15PM, resulting in $26K, many new supporters and re-engagement with partners and supporters. The day began with a breakfast meeting and presentation at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska. The goal was to update supporters and introduce new supporters to the initiatives in Karagwe. Dr. Andrew and Bruce Engel presented and inspired the crowd who gathered. ETI announced its outstanding contributors: Ms. Starla Pioske who provided the very first scholarship for a woman attending KARUCO College and Ms. Addy Perkins who was an outstanding intern for the past year plus. Congrats to both.

ETI then hosted a lunch meeting of medical professionals at the Hilton Garden Inn in Eden Prairie. The purpose was to be present during the donation of the set of texts: Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy from David A. Willey, MD who is a charter member of the ETI Board and who led the health initiatives concepts for ETI.  Dr. Andrew was very happy with the donation.

The final event of the day was the presentation at the University of St. Thomas: “Rural

Opportunity Centers in Karagwe”.  Engineers, students and supporters heard the introduction by the School of Engineering’s Founding Dean, Dr. Ronald Bennett. His introduction focused on the reality that ETI and KARUCO emerged from the failure of the initial project from the University of St. Thomas. It was Dr. Bennett who provided the initial funding for the first trip to Karagwe, so ETI presented Ron with an “Outstanding Contribution” award. This was followed by a presentation by Bruce Engel and Dr. Andrew.

ETI GIVING DAY 2018: It was a very full and very rewarding day.