In September, construction will commence on the first stage of the Amani Elementary School, Mvumi Makulu, central Tanzania.

This initial program will include the administration block, a block of four large classrooms, toilet facilities, library/computer block and a large in-ground rainwater cistern. This English medium school will represent a major development in education in this region of central Tanzania.

The land for the school and land for a farm to support the operation of the school have been donated to the Amani (Peace) Development Trust Fund by the local people. Parents will have to pay school fees for their children.

Income from the farm is intended to assist with finances, as many parents will have difficulty meeting these costs. A school board composed of parents, local church representatives and representatives of the trust will oversee operations of the school.

This work is closely associated with the "Water Well" program in central Tanzania. The initial well was drilled at Mvumi Makulu.

Recently, I and members from St. Stephen's Episcopal Church walked to Roundup, raising funds for the water program. Warm thanks to all who contributed $15,750 and to the Billings media for generous support.

Water resources, education and spiritual development form the heart of the vision of the Amani Trust. Local communities in Tanzania have been most generous in offering land in every community where the trust has established its work. The trust is, in essence, community-based and Christ-centered. In this region of the world, the people are hopeful for positive change in their communities.

We intend to develop a computer-skills program at the new school and also to offer adult computer-skills courses. The school is located in a heavily populated region.

Nearby are very poorly equipped government schools, and a little distance away is the large Mvumi hospital, an Anglican Church hospital with a highly regarded nurse training unit. There is also a large Anglican high school.

Recently a severe wind and rain storm collapsed two of the government-run elementary schools. They were constructed of mud bricks. The need is enormous. We anticipate rapid growth.

But we do need computers. I am appealing for donations of used computers which can be shipped to Tanzania in a container that will hold donated text and library books for the new school. I anticipate that the container will leave in late August; therefore, we shall need to have the computers by Aug. 15 - sooner if possible.

Computers should be reasonably up to date and clean of all personal or business records. I do have people who can assist with the preparation.

These computers will find a wonderful new life in the care of many thankful people. To donate, call me at 652-6409 or 259-5017, or send e-mail to: jfnaum@mon-tana.net. Go to www.amanitrust.homestead.org for further information on the work of the Trust.

The Rev. John Naumann is rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Billings.

The Faith & Values column appears regularly in the Saturday Life section of The Billings Gazette.

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