Teaching
& Traveling
in Tanzania and India
The two spiritual and very active
handmaidens of Baha’u’llah have done it once again! Their extraordinary example is inspiring to us all.
Some years ago they braved the cold weather and snow of winter in the
Baltic’s and this time for three months in Africa!!
They have just returned from Tanzania on a project organized by a Danish
aid organizations called Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke. It is an organization that
undertakes development assistance programs, but also inter-cultural exchanges of
people. The Baha’i Women's Society in Denmark is a member of this organization
and so they received invitations for a course to take place in Tanzania end of
June to mid July. The topic was development problems in East Africa and the
program included classes from morning to evening and then they also went on
trips to visit and see different projects. The Baha’i women who went were
Ingegard Bishoff, Velda Metelmann and Kirsten Vahman. And they all felt it had
been a very good experience - both to lean of the problems of people in the
region as well as to speak with the other Danish participants who were very open
to hearing about and discussing the Faith. Ingegard said she had not experience
Danish people so open ever! And they were of all ages, which she really enjoyed.
(On a very persoanl note, the ages of some of these women is over 80!!)
They also met up with local Baha’is and had a very inspirational and uplifting
experience!
Dear EBWN,
Thought you might be interested in an update onthe activities of Velda and
my Mother Ingegard which has been very inspiring. Although I do not know
alot as I am living away from Denmark, what I do know is that they went to
Tanzania on a project organized by a Danish aid organisations called
Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke. It is an organisation that undertakes development
assitance programmes, but also inter-cultural exchanges of people. The Bahai
Women's Society in Denmark is a member of this organisation and so they
received invitations for a course to take place in Tanzania end of June to
mid
July. The topic was development problems in East Africa and the programme
included classes from morning to evening and then they also went on trips to
visit and see different projects. The Bahai women who went were my mum, Velda
Metelmann and Kirsten Vahman. And they all felt it had been a very good
experience - both to learn of the problems of people in the region as well as
to speak with the other Danish participants who were very open to hearing
about and discussing the Faith. My mum said she had not experience Danish
people so open ever! And they were of all ages, which she really enjoyed. I know they also met up with local bahais!
The following is from Velda! and her experiences in Africa. It is note worthy that these extremely active ladies are all over 70 and some in their 80's!
Dear EBWN,
Ingegerd Bischoff, Kristin Vahman, and I joined a group of 16 others under the auspices of MS, a Danish organization that sponsors projects in Africa and other countries -- with government assistance -- and took a 14 day course called "Feel Africa".
Our Bahá'í women's group has joined MS and other helping institutions so had the invitation. Our group met Africans in a different way that most travelers would be able to do since Africans were our instructors or our hosts. One of the members of the group who had worked 5 years in Africa previously said he learned more in these two weeks than in the entire period of his employment there. On our own, the three of us met with the Bahá'ís a few times and visited their center. There are a number of photos of them and the Center on the disc.
Tragedy seems to be hovering above the heads of most of the Africans -- either a member of their family or they themselves are suffering from HIV AIDS and the incomes are so marginal that school fees are difficult -- as well as everything else. The vast number of orphans have overwhelmed the traditional family support system. We visited Moshi -- a small town about the size of the city where we live (Farum) where they have 50,000 orphans! That number of orphans would swamp even this modern town where we have roads, clean water, schools, teachers, hospitals, clinics, dependable electricity and all modern facilities.
Since we returned, our dear African hosts have had the baby they were expecting but lost him at about 5 months of age and the beautiful young mother has suffered a stroke needing much medical care that they cannot afford. Our hearts are aching -- longing to help them but not knowing exactly what to do! We plan to contact the Counselor for the region and ask his advice. Kirsten spoke with him yesterday, I understand -- but because of my medical necessities I have not heard his advice.
My lack of response to your request has been due to the results of a fall I took on September 1 (crushed left elbow and shoulder) that is taking a long time to heal and will require further surgery after a little more bone knitting and recovering from an infection. This takes much time and energy. Ingegerd has also been in the hospital for surgery on a ruptured tendon in her ankle and has had her distractions, too.
Warmest love,
Velda