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Team Work!
One of the world's richest countries
sharing
with one of the poorest
The Tancan Team in Tanzania
Alban Lutambi Alban was a key driver in the inspiration to plant orchards on schoolgrounds. He began his education studying theology and philosophy. Then he went into business before studying both architecture and construction. A self-made entrepreneur, he owns and operates the beautiful Ruaha Hilltop Lodge (www.ruahahilltoplodge.com). He has a strong commitment to social justice and to the welfare of young Tanzanians. Alban’s managerial talents are a huge asset to the logistics of planting orchards on schoolgrounds. A trusting and effective relationship has been developed between the Tanzania (TanCan) and Canadian(SOAS) school orchard organizations. Over the years, four SOAS directors and five other Canadians have visited Tanzania. They have all been graciously hosted by the Lutambi family. In 2016, Alban visited Canada . We met with him several times. It was an extremely informative and productive exchange for all involved. We all came to love and respect Alban for his wisdom and devotion to improving the food sustainability of impoverished communities within Tanzania. The SOAS directors each gave him an educational tour of horticultural and permaculture sites within BC. Alban's dad, Joseph, has been the rock behind the orchard projects. He is much loved by all, and regularly checks that the children take good stewardship of the fruit trees. He is also there to help the children and teachers plant the trees. 
Wayne, Alban, and Maureen
Gideon Makara
(olemakara@gmail.com) Gideon manages a safari company (www.stainbokadventures.com). A modern Masai, Gideon exudes strength of spirit and integrity. He is the treasurer of TanCan Ottoman Joseph Lutambi, TanCan School Coordinator
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The SOAS Team in Canada
Maureen Loiselle - President.
Thetis Island, BC Maureen, and her husband,Wayne, are the founders of the School Orchards Africa Society (SOAS). Both are retired Canadian educators. Whilst traveling in Tanzania in 2010 they were moved by the community spirit of the Tanzanian people and admired their self reliance. Although they saw extreme poverty, they were warmly welcomed by these courteous, sincere people. Being distressed about the affects of the Western world`s carbon footprint and the unfair burden that that footprint imposes on developing countries, Maureen and Wayne vowed to make a difference. Partnering with TanCan and creating School Orchards Africa was a natural outcome for their concerns. Michael Baker - Treasurer.
Cowichan Bay, BC Mike is a financial planner who has lived and worked in the Cowichan Valley, BC for over 30 years. His other volunteer work has been with Habitat for Humanity where he has worked with teams building houses in Mexico, Guatemala, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Chile and Thailand. Mike and his wife, Penny, have visited the schools in Tanzania - returning with great suggestions on how we could move forward in the future. His expertise is invaluable in keeping track of the society's finances. Cecilia Inness - Secretary. Thetis Island, BC Mike and Cecilia Inness have always had a heart for Africa. Mike spent his early years on the family farm in Kenya before moving to Canada. While most of his working life has been on ships & the sea he & his wife, a Registered Nurse, farmed for many years in Cobble Hill. Cecilia has also volunteered for numerous community, church and school organizations. Paul Slade - Director Duncan, BC Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley into the family owned Water Well Drilling company; Drillwell Enterprises. Paul has visited the schools several times, as a volunteer, and has overseen the drilling of the wells...not a straight forward process in rural Tanzania! "Working with SOAS gives me pride in knowing I am able to be a small part in making a large and lasting difference in the lives of students and their families that do not have the same opportunities given to us in Canada." Leighton Mellem - Director Duncan, BC Leighton is a retired agricultural supply company manager (Top Shelf), he brings astute business experience to SOAS. In 2016 he visited all the school orchards in Tanzania and assisted in the plantings of two schools. A Duncan Rotary member, Leighton has played a key role in helping us forward funding proposals to Rotary. Chris Kelsey - Legal Advisor. Courtney, BC Chris is a lawyer with a general solicitor practice in Courtenay BC. He has an extensive history of community involvement including work with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Canadian Bar Association, Minor Hockey and St Joseph's Gneral Hospital. He is married to Susan and has two sons. Linda George -Communications. Gabriola Island, BC Linda is a retired Canadian educator. She founded and managed the Greening Schoolgrounds program in British Columbia for 10 years. She also designed the Greening Canada Schoolgrounds program for Trees Canada. She brings practical experience to our team. Linda is interested in permaculture gardening methods and manages a large no dig garden in her backyard. She lends extensive management and school ground planting experience to the project. Donna Stadt - Director Thetis Island, BC Donna is a retired school teacher and has always been a big advocate for the Tanzania school orchards. For years she has worked behind the scenes on many successful SOAS fundraising activities. RossaLynn Woodgate - Director Cowichan, BC Lynn is a retired landscape architect. She is generous with her horticultural knowledge which is invaluable in planning the school orchards. 2017. Leighton Mellem checks out the extraordinary growth of the avocado trees in the Iringa area elementary schools. Local farmers have taken note and are now starting their own avocado orchards. 
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