Letter from Innocent (April 2002)

Swahili text (as best as I can decipher the handwriting)

Innocent anawasalimu katika jina la-lesu.  Anasema Bwana-Yesu apewe sifa.  Anasema yeye hajambo na ameingia darasa la kwanza mwaka huu.  Anasema je na nyie hamjambo?

Innocenti anasema asanteni sana kwakunitumia zawadi ja Krismasi na Mungu awafungulie milango mingi ja barake.  Anasema kutokane ne Zawadi mliyoni tumia nimefanikiwa kupata Suniali, Tisheti, Biskuti ne Soda.  Anasema je na nyie mlirae nguo mpye.  Siku ja Chrismeti? Anasema mwezi wa kumi kuni na moja alifanikiwa kutembelea kifandiki ja wanyana ja Tarangire.  Anasema huko alibahatika kuwaona wanyama wafuatao Tembo, Turiga, Surale, Pundemilia, ne bimba.  Anasema na nyie mlishawahi kutembela hifadhi klenyama?  Mlione wanyama gani?  Innocenti anasema asanteni sana kwakuniandikia banie nzuri ja kuntikiamoyo.  Pamoja na Post Card.  Anamalizia kwakusema keribuni sana Tanzania na Mungu awakriki.

English translation

Dear Macalester Christian Fellowship,

Innocent greets you in Jesus' name.  Lord Jesus be praised.  He's fine.  He's in class one this year.  Are you all fine?

Thanks for the Christmas gift and may God open the doors of success for you.  With the gift, they bought him trousers, T-shirt, biscuits, and soda.  Did you also wear new clothes on the Christmas day?  In November he was lucky to visit Tarangire National Park where he saw elephants, giraffes, antelope, zebras, and lions.  Have you ever visited any parks?  Which animals did you see?

He thanks you for writing him an interesting letter which encourages him with post cards.  He concludes with saying, "Welcome to Tanzania."  God bless you.

A picture Innocent drew for us

And his report card for the last term