Meet The Special Force!

The City of Hope is not only about changing the lives of orphaned children but about transforming an entire community. The Special Force is an example of that. They are also some of our closest friends!

The idea behind the Special Force is to take young men who are in need of a father and a purpose in life. In exchange for their service, we fill that need. They live within the City of Hope compound and are in change of helping in whatever way possible. We teach them how to help us with farming, building projects, water pumping and in taking care of the children. They in return, receive a home, food, school fees and an opportunity to change their future for the better. Recently, through the donation of one of our supporters we were able to provide them with bicycles for their commute to school and errands. This cut their daily travel to and from school from an hour and a half walk, to a half hour bicycle ride!

The Special Force is currently comprised of four young men: Mohono, Peter, Evans and Marwa.

Mohono is 21 years old and is finishing his final year of secondary school. He is a member of the Chacha family. He has recently been taught  how to drive the tractor and plow the fields. After he finishes his schooling, he would like to take over that job. Mohono is responsible, hardworking and trustworthy. He is currently learning English. Though he is quiet, he also enjoys joking with his friends. He is a great asset to the City of Hope!

Peter is 18 years old. He is in his second year of secondary school and speaks English well. Peter first became affiliated with the City of Hope when he came as a builder in the winter of 2009. He helped to dig the fish ponds and planted flowers in order to pay for his school fees. Peter showed excellence and responsibility and that is when Dr. Chacha decided to form the Special Force. The mission was to help those who where too old to live in the children's home, but needed a push to become something greater. Peter is a friendly guy who is loved by everyone. He is a good role model for the boys in the children's home. If he continues on the path he has started, he will go very far!

Evans is also 18 years old and is in his first year of secondary school. Evans knows everyone and is known by everyone in the village. He cannot go far without finding a new friend to talk to. English is just one of the languages he speaks. Evans thoroughly enjoys interacting with the teams that come through the City of Hope. He always has a story or joke to tell. He loves listening to music and is always eager to borrow an iPod. Evans is full of joy and can be found dancing and singing in church. He is a sharp guy who knows an opportunity when he sees one. He has come to see the benefits of helping others.

Marwa is 23 years old and is about to start his third year of secondary school. He is also a member of the Chacha family and the is the newest member of the Special Force. He just joined this past June. Three of Marwa's younger siblings live at the children's home. Their father passed away last summer due to an automobile accident. Because of his sparkling personality, we are able to enjoy his sense of humor even though we do not speak the same language. Marwa has been a big help this summer. He has helped build troughs for the cows and has helped put the finishing touches on the Tumaini Medical Center. Marwa is a dedicated worker and is a promising leader!

Some of our favorite times this past summer have been spending evenings with the Special Force in their home. We bring the chai and the biscuits, and they provide the bananas. We talk about anything from life in America, to soccer, current events and everything in between. They have taught us so much about the Swahili culture and they always enjoy hearing our stories from home. All four of them have helped us in our pursuit of learning Swahili and their tribal language, Kuria. They would sit with us for hours by candlelight writing our own personal Kuria dictionary. We are so excited about the bright futures the Special Force hold and are so thankful for their wonderful friendship to us! When we return to Tanzania we would love to continue working with them and disciplining them in their walk with Christ. These young men are the future of the City of Hope! They are some of our most missed faces and we are counting down the days until we see them again!

Evans & Peter and their new bicycles! 

Mwita, Monica, Marwa & Mohono

The City of Hope: Families Building Families

Here at the City of Hope we know that the key to a successful future is built on having strong families. That is why we are so excited that we have entire families cooperating together to serve one common goal. 

One of the most remarkable things we saw this summer, was a family being restored.  A friend of ours had had trouble with his wife for awhile and finally she left him in pursuit of a more peaceful life. This summer, though, things changed for them. He began working at the City of Hope were he found positive friends and a greater purpose to help those even less fortunate then himself. The City of Hope provided him a new home and Dr. Chacha was able to walk him and his wife the process of restoration. She returned home with their two daughters. We will not ever forget the overwhelming feeling of joy we felt when we turned around in church to see him there dancing his heart out and praising God for his blessings. He has not wiped the smile off of his face since his wife returned. He is a new man with a new mindset. He told us one afternoon, "If you cannot love your family, who else can you love?" God is the healer of broken hearts, the restorer of mankind and the mender of relationships! 


The headmaster at our primary school, Godfrey, is one of our integral people at the City of Hope. He has done much to improve the education and the structure at the children's home. This summer, his wife graduating from nursing school and the City of Hope had the perfect opportunity for her! With almost 90 children living there and even more coming to our school from the village, having an on sight nurse was crucial. She was just the person to fit the job. Now both Godfrey and his wife are flourishing. Their five year old son also attends our school and he is among the brightest in the class. Now the whole family is unified and are fulfilling the purpose planned for their lives! 


Our agriculturalist, Lucas, came as one of the first employees of the City of Hope. Though he resides in Kenya with his wife and sons, he commutes daily to Ntagatcha. Through him, many of his family members have also caught the vision of the City of Hope. His brother has since become the plumber we rely on for repairs and for the building of the Medical Center. Lucas' nephew, Jakob, was hired as a teacher and is well loved among the students and staff. His niece, Janet, has become a great help in the guest house. She cooks and cleans for the guests and resident missionaries. She has since met her husband, Jack, at the City of Hope as well. He is one of our best teachers! Their family has made a huge impact on the City of Hope! 


There are also families in the United Sates bringing hope. Marion Myers has been with The City of Hope and Teamwork Ministries from the beginning. She has been spreading awareness and raising crucial funding for years. Her son Jeff Myers and his wife Claire serve on the board of Teamwork City of Hope, and have become key components to raising support. Also, many of Marion's grand children have volunteered on the summer missions teams.


We cannot talk about families without mentioning the most influential families at the City of Hope. That is the family of Dr. Chacha. Dr. Chacha founded the City of Hope on land owned by him and his brothers. One of the brothers, Julius, is the top manager of our labor force as well as public relations. As an influential leader and pastor in the village he has filled that role well. He has six children and his wife, Margaret works in the Mission Center. Other brothers are builders and watchmen, and his sister is the seamstress for the children. Many nieces and nephews both work, attend school and live at the City of Hope. Sisters in laws help the children with carrying water and braiding hair. 


Right now the Mission Center has been left in the hands of Dr. Chacha's nephew, Kyle Ledyard http://www.kyleatcoh.blogspot.com/, and second son, Imani, who will be at the City of Hope for the next year. Kyle's sisters Greta and Alaina are soon to join this September. Also Dr. Chacha's in-laws, Glenn and Velma Horst, have volunteered at the City of Hope building beds, shelves and playground equipment and teaching the children.


I (Mwita Chacha) am his oldest son. I have been blessed with the opportunity to get to know my family through the City of Hope. By working with them, as well as countless others, the less fortunate have in return been blessed. The City of Hope is also were I met my fiancé, Monica Harnish http://www.dreamsfromafrica.blogspot.com/. We have a similar goal to give hope to the children in Ntagatcha by building families,  because strong families are what helped build us. 

Marion Myers and the girls at the City of Hope 

Mwita Chacha, Monica Harnish and Mwita's cousins 

Glenn & Velma Horst, Imani Chacha, Kyle Ledyard and the children of the City of Hope 

Karibu! Welcome!

Karibu! Welcome to the official Teamwork City of Hope blog. It will be kept up to date by Mwita Chacha and Monica Harnish to keep everybody informed of the latest news in Ntagatcha. 


This has been a successful summer, and we are full of gratitude for everyone who has helped us make the dream of the City of Hope a reality! Through prayers, giving, and volunteers we have been able to change the course of many lives. We are bringing hope where there was no hope and building a city where there was no city. 


This summer have had 80+ volunteers help in our efforts! Here are just a few of our accomplishments. 

• Bought two milk cows
• Completed silage pit
• Built a playground
• Harvested the corn
• Stained beds and shelves
• Painted Christopher’s apartment
• Put ceiling in Christopher’s apartment
• Built a corn crib
• Taught the children
• Organized the store room
• Created a library
• Spent countless hours investing into the lives of the children 

We were also privileged to work with the District Commissioner which helped us gain the cooperation of the government. Dr. Chacha has been discussing with them the logistics of opening up the Tumaini Medical Center, which is planned to open early Fall 2010. Most recently, we were blessed with the donation of a small tractor  that will aid in farming and transportation of materials. 

This summer we also hosted a celebration to honor the elderly of the village of Ntagatcha. The children prepared and cooked a feast, and we gave out over 150 blankets. To show their appreciation, the villagers began to dance and sing in the traditional Kuria style. It was true testimony of the unity of the body of Christ to see the villagers and volunteers celebrating as one. 

Coming back this summer we were encouraged to see the maturity of the children. Since we left last summer our children have become more independent, taking care of themselves and keeping themselves clean. They  now have the opportunity to excel in school and are learning English quickly. They have taken ownership of the farm by harvesting the corn and watering the garden. They have taken initiative because they want to do their part in providing for themselves. 

A big thank you to all of our summer volunteers. These projects would never have been accomplished without them. It is great to see so many people from all different parts of the world and different walks of life working together for one common goal. 

This is only the beginning of a lifetime full of promise for this village. This is our hope envisioned.