Tag: WILDLIFE

Nyerere National Park

Featured by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, AFRICA, boma africa, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, LION, nyerere, SAFARI, safari Tanzania, Selous, serengeti, TOURISM, TRAVEL, trekking, trekking Tanzania, Uncategorized

In November of 2019 Tanzania got a new designation of National Park. A huge part of the the immense Selous Game Reserve was subdivided and named Nyerere National Park. This is now Tanzania’s biggest National Park; at 30,000 square kilometres, it’s over twice as big as the world famous Serengeti!

The park is named after Tanzania’s first president, the beloved Julius Nyerere. Located on the southern circuit it is relatively quiet and free of tourist crows. Vast amounts of wildlife and the amazing Rufji River make this a top safari elephant`- knapp- safari- picture- boma africadestination.

EPIC TRIP!!

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma Handmade, Boma la Mama, culture, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, lake yeas, LINDSAY KIMMET FOUNDATION, LION, micro loan, microcredit, mountain, NON PROFIT, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, Rotary, SAFARI, serengeti, TANZANIA, tanzip, TOURISM, TRAVEL, trekking, trip advisor, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE

Lovetotraveljourney about Boma Africa

We were in Tanzania for 2 weeks and had the most amazing time of our lines! Our Boma experience was definitely EPIC, very professional and we were so well taken care of the whole time! The guides are each amazing – professional, knowledgeable and friendly! Boma took care of us from the airport right to our departure! Safaris, biking tours, walking tours, meeting a Maasai family, local painting day, hiking, zip lining,… each experience was absolutely amazing!

We stayed with a local family, which was the most amazing experience! The family we stayed have stolen our hearts, and we felt so at home with them.

We will definitely be back to Tanzania some day! Our experience was indescribably amazing!!! Thank you to all at Boma who made our experience so unforgettable!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297913-d9885953-Reviews-Boma_Africa-Arusha_Arusha_Region.html#REVIEWS

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Happy Holidays!

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, Maternal Health, Midwives, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, SAFARI, serengeti, TANZANIA, tanzip, TOURISM, TRAVEL, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE

The weather is fine in Mto wa Mbu, hot spelled off with rain as we are into the short rainy season. We are looking forward to pilau and goat bbq on Christmas Eve!

2018 was full of projects and new adventures, and in 2019 we look forward to welcoming a passionate group of doulas, some avid mountain climbers, a high school group of adventurers, and a volunteer for the LK Kindergarten.

We will have our Boma la Mama sea container released by the end Jan 2019, and our Birth centre manager will be starting work in January as well. In April she has been sponsored to take a course in ultrasound, specialising in pregnancy, which may also lead to an ultrasound unit being donated to our centre. We are working hard at getting some grants and super grateful to our private donors that have made it possible to actually get Boma la Mama seeing patients in 2019.

Boma Handmade is flourishing with amazing products such as baby carriers, sleepsacs, baby clothes, nursing and maternity tops, baby slippers, and hand carved wooden toys.  We are also making natural soap that has been really popular and barely has time to dry before it’s flying off the shelves. Most exciting we were chosen to open a Days for Girls enterprise at our workshop, which means we will be producing cloth pads for girls and women that can be washed and used over and over. Many go without any reasonable option when it comes to their feminine hygiene and miss school or suffer with nothing to wear or avoiding activities.

Boma Community School continues to run it’s LK Kindergarten class with happy students and our awesome teacher who has been with us since the beginning!  We are working on some maintenance of the building, and hoping to get a new mural and new playground in 2019.

We also opened Tanzip Zipline Adventure, Tanzania’s first and only zipline in 2018, and the Mosquito Creek Cafe is launching on Christmas Eve!  Karibu Sana!

Wishing a fun and safe holiday season and all the best in 2019!!

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What to expect on Kilimanjaro

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, mountain, mountain climbing, NGO, NON PROFIT, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, SAFARI, serengeti, TANZANIA, trekking Tanzania, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE

Summiting the world’ tallest free standing mountain in Tanzania

Pick Up

  • Boma Africa will greet you up upon arrival at the airport or bus station
  • You will stay the first night in Arusha at a comfortable B&B
  • Your guide will come to welcome you and provide your mountain orientation
  • Your guide will check your gear and packs to make sure your equipment is appropriate
  • Sleep well the night before your climb!

First Day

  • Early in the morning, after breakfast, your guide and crew will pick you up at your hotel
  • Make sure to bring:
    • your passport, or a photocopy of your passport for registration at the park
    • Pocket money for last minute purchases such as batteries, chocolate bar, water, etc.
    • Cash to tip your crew if desired
  • Extra luggage can be stored at your hotel or the Boma Africa office (please arrange in advance)
  • You will all leave Arusha and drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate for registration
  • Depending on your route you may have a packed lunchbox, or your cook might serve a hot lunch before you start to trek
  • Once registration is complete, you will begin walking slowly through the rainforest zone of Kilimanjaro!

Trekking

  • On most days climbers will walk between 7 and 15 km, taking from 4 to 9 hours.
  • Pole Pole!! Slow steady climbing is the rule!
  • The crew will provide you clean drinking water for each day
  • You are expected to drink 3L of water each day, so your guide will remind you many times to take a rest and drink some water
  • As you are trekking you are likely to be sharing the route will some other trekkers, and you will see porters making their way up and down the path
  • Your guide will tell you about special plants, features of the mountain, and cultural anecdotes
  • First thing in the morning, you will have a wakeup call from the crew, and they will provide you with soap and warm water to wash up.
  • A full hot breakfast is served daily with tea and coffee.
  • After breakfast and preparing, you and your guide will start the daily trek while the crew breaks camp
  • Lunches on the mountain vary between packed lunchboxes and prepared hot lunches served at carefully chosen rest points along the route
  • When you arrive at the next camp, you will be welcomed with a light snack and steaming hot tea and coffee
  • Your crew will be busy setting up camp; you may feel like resting, or like helping out and setting up some tents! Karibu!
  • You will be provided with warm water and soap to freshen up after a long day’s trekking.
  • A delicious hot dinner is served every evening in the mess tent.
  • Your guide will debrief with your group about the day’s hike, and let you know what to expect for the following day
  • Going to bed early is common as climbers are tired, and the days start early. As sleeping disturbances are common at higher altitudes, it’s best to rest as much as possible. Even if you have trouble falling asleep, resting your body and mind will rejuvenate your energy.
  • It is common to experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness as the days go on. LINK TO SAFETY->Click here to read more about altitude sickness.

Summiting

Many routes require summiting at night, while there are few that lead you to the crater during daytime.

Night Summit

  • After dinner you will rest for several hours
  • Around 11 your guide will wake you up and you will have orientation over tea and biscuits
  • You will begin the ascent around 12 am
  • You will need all your warmest clothes, headlamp, any special snack, water and walking poles
  • You can expect to feel a strong headache, you may vomit, and you will become extremely fatigued
  • Making it to the summit around sunrise is common; after a quick celebration and photo session, you begin descending
  • Usually you spend less than 15 minutes at Uhuru Peak
  • You might ask your guide to take photos as you will likely be very cold, very tired, and may have some mild confusion due to altitude
  • Communicate regularly with your guide
  • Making it to the summit often takes every last bit of strength and mental determination you can muster!

Daytime Summit / Crater Camp Excursion

  • If you are spending a night at the crater camp, you will make the climb from the preceding camp during the day
  • Early the next morning (around 4 am) you will awaken and hike the final 2 hours to the summit- making it in time for sunrise.

Last Day

  • It is usual to get to the gate in the early afternoon. A celebratory lunch will be served with wine and beer (as per request)
  • You will be presented your certificate of achievement, and have a chance to say thank you to your crew (this is the best time to give any tip to the crew). See FAQs – tipping + Expeditions Equal Payment Plan
  • All Boma Africa expeditions end by participation in Boma Goes Green, our environmental improvement program.
  • You will get to plant a monumental tree to commemorate your climb, while building a shaded garden in Moshi.
  • Think of a name for your tree!
  • You will be dropped off at your B&B in Arusha for a much deserved shower and rest!

Food

  • Boma Africa carefully plans your meals before your expedition
  • Choosing top quality ingredients and providing a well-balanced diet on the mountain gives you the best chances of a successful healthy climb
  • Meals are cooked and served inside a mess tent or mountain hut
  • One of the side effects of altitude is loss of appetite and nausea. Don’t be surprised if you find it hard to eat- but please make the effort! Being well nourished is extremely important for your climb!
  • Please advise in advance of any special dietary requests.
  • Don’t hesitate to speak to your guide with any concerns regarding meals during your climb.

Breakfast

  • A full hot breakfast is served with tea or coffee every day. It is common to have a variety of eggs, bread, sausage, porridge, pancakes, French toast and fruit.

Lunch

  • Lunch alternates between a variety of carefully packed lunchboxes, and hot lunches that are served along route.
  • It is common to have boiled eggs, pasta or rice salad, chicken, fruit and vegetables, biscuits, fruit juice, simmered sauces with rice, and more.

Dinner

  • Always hot and appetizing, your dinners are prepared by your cook at the camp. It is common to have 3 courses: soup & bread, main course, and desert.

Tea Time

  • You will have hot tea & coffee every morning and afternoon.

Toilets

  • There are “outhouses” or “longdrops” situated along the routes and near to camps. On some routes you are provided with a private portable toilet. (available on all routes at special request)
  • You will be provided with toilet paper.
  • There are no shower facilities on the mountain.

Socially Responsible Tourism in Tanzania

Non Profit Business for LK Kindergarten

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, AFRICA, baby carrier, baby carrier arusha, baby carrier tanzania, baby products tanzania, boma africa, boma la mama sleepsac, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, micro loan, NGO, NON PROFIT, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, playground, pre school, PRIMARY SCHOOL, rainbow, SAFARI, TANZANIA, TOURISM, TRAVEL, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE

Excited to announce that we are planning to start a non profit business devoted entirely to the LK Kindergarten class.

It will be an animal husbandry project. We’ll start with 8 goats and 60 chickens. We’ll build them a nice shelter, and hire someone to care for them. They will live up the rift valley wall, at the Boma land. They will lay lots of eggs and have lots of babies!

An initial investment of $2500 should then generate apx. $2500 annually for the school. This will free up some Boma Africa funds for expansion, improvement, more toys, better playground,… oh my!

BOMA AFRICA VOLUNTEER TANZANIA SCHOOL

Photo Gallery! African Wildlife Safari

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, aerial park, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, CAM, cashew, cashew nut, christmas, cub, culture, CUSO, doula, doula retreat, EAST AFRICA, first aid, Gallery, insect, kilimanjaro, lake yeas, LION, long distance running, mantis, Maternal Health, Midwife, Midwives, mountain, mwalimu anna, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, playground, praying mantis, pre school, PRIMARY SCHOOL, rah, rainbow, ruaha national park, run, runner, tanzip, TOURISM, training, TRAVEL, trekking, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE, wombsoftheworld, yoga, yoga retreat, yoga safari, yoga tour, ZIPLINE

Absolutely stunning wildlife roaming in the world famous Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the many other parks and reserves of Tanzania.

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Leopard in the grass. Photo by Jarrad Seng. Boma Africa
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Tarangire Sunrise. Photo by Jarrad Seng. Boma Africa
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Eagle takes flight in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa
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Dik Dik. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa.
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Mama & Baby. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa
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Elephant, Tarangire National Park. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa
Hyena Ngorongoro boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife
Hyena takes her share. Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa

 

Crown Cranes boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife serengeti
Crown Cranes. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa
Zebras boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife serengeti
Zebras in the dust. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa

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Zebra lioness boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife serengeti
Zebra Hunt. Serengeti National Park. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa
Zebra Ngorongoro Crater boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife
Zebra Hunt in the Ngorongoro Crater. Photo by Andrew Knapp Boma Africa.
Zebra Serengeti boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife
Zebra Hunt. Serengeti National Park. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa
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Zebra Hunt. Serengeti National Park. Photo by Mare Eve Lord. Boma Africa
"Pumba" Warthog boma africa safari tanzania kilimanjaro wildlife
“Pumba” Warthog. Photo by Andrew Knapp. Boma Africa

 

Tanzania’s Non- Profit Tour Co.!

Testimonial! Keri-Lyn, Canada, 2018

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, aerial park, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, CAM, cashew, cashew nut, christmas, cub, culture, CUSO, doula, doula retreat, EAST AFRICA, first aid, Gallery, insect, kilimanjaro, lake yeas, LINDSAY KIMMET FOUNDATION, LION, long distance running, mantis, marathon, Maternal Health, Midwife, Midwives, mountain, mwalimu anna, national geographic, NGO, NON PROFIT, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, playground, praying mantis, pre school, PRIMARY SCHOOL, rah, rainbow, run, SAFARI, serengeti, tan zip, TANZANIA, tanzip, TOURISM, training, TRAVEL, trekking, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE, wombsoftheworld, yoga, yoga retreat, yoga safari, yoga tour, ZIPLINE

I stayed with Leesha and Lau and family on a 6 week trip through Tanzania. I’ve known Leesha for many years and it was wonderful to reunite with her in Mto Wa Mbu. They showed me around the village, introduced me to their community and I got to witness the passion and inspiration that lives in their entrepreneurial projects. I had such an incredible time in the village. The people are kind and welcoming, the scenery of the Rift Valley walls and Lake Mayanara stunning. I shared some art classes, visited the market regularly, enjoyed the local food and hit the dance floor for a little nightlife! I highly receommend connecting with Boma Africa. Mto Wa Mbu is the perfect place to set out for safari or take some time to relax and settle in and make some friends after travelling around. I hope to make it back one day!! Thank you for being such amazing hosts! xoxo

Keri-Lyn; Canada; 2018

boma africa ngorongoro tanzania non profit tourism serengeti kilimanjaro safari lion cub christmas travel adventure game drive wildlife

Volunteer Profile: Carly Beaulieu

by Boma Africa, posted in ADVENTURE, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, culture, doula, doula retreat, EAST AFRICA, first aid, kilimanjaro, LINDSAY KIMMET FOUNDATION, LION, Maternal Health, Midwife, Midwives, NGO, NON PROFIT, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, playground, pre school, PRIMARY SCHOOL, rainbow, SAFARI, serengeti, TANZANIA, tanzip, TOURISM, training, TRAVEL, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE, wombsoftheworld, yoga, yoga retreat, yoga safari, yoga tour, ZIPLINE

Carly first came to Tanzania in August 2017 and volunteered to be in midwife (for my own birth!) here in Mto wa Mbu town. Tanzania got under her skin and she is back in June!  Carly wears many hats and is using them all this month.

boma africa school lk kindergarten mto wa mbu

First she an educator. She worked in Canada as a teacher for several years before her calling to midwifery led her back to her own training. Carly brought supplies for the school and spent a week at the LK Kindergarten mentoring our teacher, Sophia, in the concept of “learning through play”.  They played games, set up stations, and Sophia got tonnes of new ideas and resources to use with the children. Sophia’ second week of immersion she spent in a mentorship with the with the kindergarten teacher at Black Rhino Academy, International School.

Carly is also an EMT and trained in wilderness first aid. She developed a first aid course relevant to our zipline activities and environment and delivered an awesome course with the Tanzip Zipline team.  The course is in the Tanzip training manual and will be used annually.  She also guided us to put together a great custom first aid kit.

Carly also spent some time observing and mentoring students at a couple of local hospitals, on the L&D ward. She is passionate about the rights of birthing women to safe and dignified care. Carly got inspired to support Boma la Mama Birth Centre, and is committing to a giant donation in 2019; which should allow us to open the doors and start providing care. We are also putting together a prenatal course to offer to the public with information on nutrition and safety in pregnancy, what happens in labour, breastfeeding and infant nutrition, and more.

Last but not least, Carly provided Harieth and I a micro loan of $300 to start a small business sewing baby carriers.  Harieth is a talented tailor here in the village. We started making mai-tei style carriers and were able to pay back our micro loan within 1 week(!) form pre-sales. Amazing. Once this first order is done and sent off the Canada, we have a second batch that are pre-paid!  Harieth is dreaming of a sewing workshop with 4 sewing machines and 2 assistants. We will make baby carriers, sleeps sacs, reusable pads, and maybe even cloth diapers.

Carly has been a huge supporter; sharing her skilled training, smiles, and also money!

ASANTE SANA DADA!

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Tanzania Doula Retreat offered in Jan 2019!

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, CAM, culture, doula, doula retreat, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, LINDSAY KIMMET FOUNDATION, playground, PRIMARY SCHOOL, SAFARI, TANZANIA, tanzip, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE, wombsoftheworld, yoga, yoga retreat, yoga tour

Two amazing and inspired doulas are offering an eleven day Traveling Doula Retreat to Tanzania focused on enabling birth professionals from around the world to serve the local women and gain hands on experience during labor and delivery in a foreign setting.

Additionally, the mission of this trip is to learn and connect with different cultures, explore the beauty of Tanzania, connect with other women, and deepen individual Doula practices.

For all the details click on their website:

 

https://www.wombsoftheworld.com

boma africa tanzania
Doula Retreat

LK Kindergarten!

by Boma Africa, posted in acacia, ADVENTURE, aerial park, AFRICA, boma africa, BOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Boma la Mama, CAM, culture, EAST AFRICA, kilimanjaro, LINDSAY KIMMET FOUNDATION, LION, Maternal Health, Midwife, Midwives, mountain, mwalimu anna, NGO, NON PROFIT, NON PROFIT TOUR CO, northern circuit, playground, PRIMARY SCHOOL, SAFARI, serengeti, TANZANIA, tanzip, TOURISM, training, TRAVEL, trekking, Uncategorized, VOLUNTEER, WILDLIFE, ZIPLINE

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Founded in 2015, the Boma Community School is in the village of Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania.  Through the support of partner organizations Boma Africa founded and maintains this free school as one their two primary charitable projects.

The village of Mto wa Mbu asked Boma Africa to help them to provide a kindergarten for the area of Mlimani Park. During the rainy season the young kids couldn’t access any schools because the creek would get to high and they could not cross the water.

This was a perfect project for Boma Africa, and the next year with funds from the Lindsay Kimmett Memorial Foundation, the first classroom was built, the Lindsay Kimmett Kindergarten!

We were also able put in two roadways to access the area, and access a water source to provide running water to the community (Thank you to the Rotary Club of Cochrane.)

The first class of students began attending in 2015, and the school is expanding every year as the children move forward.

The Boma Community School students attend for free, get porridge everyday, and they also have a playground (funded by Martin & Sue Parnell), the only playground in the village!

 Boma Africa and Mto wa Mbu village have big dreams and would one day like to see the school with kindergarten through to grade 12 classes.  The vision includes international school syllabus, and specialized sports, arts, and technology programs.

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OUR AMAZING SUPPORTERS!

The Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation

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This amazing foundation literally provided the foundation for the Boma Community School Project. The first classroom, The Lindsay Kimmett Kindergarten, is Lindsay’s namesake and will continue to set the children of Mto wa Mbu on an amazing learning journey; in keeping with Lindsay’s passion for both children and education.

 

From Lindsay’s Family:

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We, as Lindsay’s parents, are completely consumed with sorrow at her untimely passing but in an attempt to move forward positively, we have a great desire to carry on her legacy. She was an academic and so we want to encourage other youth to reach their potential by the establishment of enduring scholarships both at the High School and University level. She loved children and we are committed to supporting local youth programs in Cochrane. She shared a passion for ‘all things medical’ with her Mom and thus we hope to offer the U of C Medical School technical tools to enhance the education of the physicians of tomorrow. She shared a love of sports with her Dad and so we want to assist with local sporting facilities and enduring sponsorships for hockey players who could not normally afford to play.

The Rotary Club of Cochrane

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The Rotary Club of Cochrane has been a solid supporter of Boma Africa & the Boma Community School. The club’s support has allowed Boma to identify a water source and install equipment to pump the water to the school site and the community.  The Cochrane Rotary Club also provided a substantial contribution to the Sue & Martin Parnell Playground at the school site.

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Sue & Martin Parnell

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Sue and Martin Parnell are both from England and have lived in Cochrane, Alberta since 2005. They have been great supporters of the humanitarian organization Right To Play and over a 5 year period from 2010 to 2014 raised over $1m for the organization. Recently, they fund raised $12,000 for a playground and bouncy castle for the students of the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Kindergarten in the village of Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania. Sue and Martin have three children, Kyle, Kristina and Calum and three grandchildren, Autumn, Nathan and baby Matthew.

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