First Maji Safi Golf-a-Thon
Erna Maj, or “Mama Bruce” as she is known in Shirati, started working with the Maji Safi Group (MSG) in March 2012. She received her Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado in Linguistics and TESOL and works as a language teacher, translator, and MSG’s Board Chair. Below, Mama Bruce shares her experience of the Maji Safi Golf-a-Thon she organized and participated in.
“Great cause! And fresh water IS the key to getting out of poverty. Big first step into the future for these villages … keep up the good work.”– Chris Squadra, Golf-a-Thon Sponsor –
It was a beautiful morning at 9:30 a.m. on September 19th when 18 enthusiastic ladies teed off at Lake Valley Golf Club in warm sunshine under a Colorado-blue sky, and the atmosphere was truly special when the last three players walked onto the 18th green at dusk with a golden glow from a gorgeous sunset over the mountains and dark clouds with a few bolts of lightning to the east. In between, we had played 474 holes, enjoyed a buffet lunch, and truly helped Maji Safi Group and its work with water, sanitation and hygiene education in rural Tanzania by raising awareness and significant financial support.
“Playing fun golf with great friends. Supporting an important mission. Beautiful weather. A perfect day!”– Jan Fincher, Golf Player –
I presented the idea of playing a Maji Safi Golf-a-thon when we had our spring meeting for our Tuesday 18-hole Ladies League. I was thrilled when my golf friends voted to pursue the idea, but little did I know that the event would grow into a significant fundraiser. In Danish we say, “Mange bække små gør en stor å” which means, “Many small brooks make a big river”. That is exactly what happened here in the best grassroots fashion. We had over 100 sponsors who pledged anything from $0.05 to $12.50 per hole; we had 18 players who played 18, 27 or 45 holes each; and we had many thankful people in Shirati.
“[I] felt like the quote below surely applies to [Bruce Pelz] and the work he is doing as well as what you are doing to help him!
“I slept and dreamt life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy!” (Rabindranath Tagore)
– Brenda Lilly, Golf Player –
We already have plans to organize the Second Annual Maji Safi Golf-a-thon for 2015 – not just for the money, but also for the fun and the joy in giving.
“I had more straight-up FUN playing these holes of golf than any I’ve played since I’ve been at Lake Valley. People were all cheering each other on, sincerely, not just pro forma. We all played serious golf and tried to make each shot the best we could, but the camaraderie was unlike anything I’d seen here. We had a common goal, to do good for others, and somehow it translated into fun and friendship.” –Judith Shinn, Golf Player–
