This is a question I often have to answer and at first I didn't have one. Ultimately, it was a process of elimination and where I felt led to go. But now that I really think of it, it's perfect. It's exactly where I needed to start this school for the kids.
Tanzania is not the poorest country in Africa. It is not war-torn and desolate. There are children in other countries that are terribly malnourished and will never have a chance at an education. So why didn't I go there? Don't they need us more than the kids in Tanzania? Here is my take on it: I am one person. Where can I go where the little amount I can give will have the biggest impact? Where the money goes to feed starving kids or where it goes to give kids an education where they can in turn impact hundreds of lives? The answer is easy for me. Obviously, feeding starving children is essential and a great need. However, there are really, really large organizations where their sole focus is that. They have a network of people on the ground to get food there, they have money going into advertising and PR and huge events and can have kids writing you letters telling you they are doing this or that and it's awesome. Making sure children across the world are fed is a huge project, where huge organizations are to fill that need. What can I do where I can have a direct impact?
Education is life. Moshi, Tz has the infrastructure to empower women and youth. There are public schools that start when they are about 6 or 7. There are farms and food and tourism. It's a peaceful country where Muslims gets along with Christian and vica versa. The structure is there for poor families and orphans...they just need a boost. There is no public school for nursery age, only private, so by the time they are 7 they would be really behind already if they didn't have the opportunity to start learning at an early age. Also, they still need to purchase school uniforms and learning materials and backpacks and eat lunch. They still need to be able to get to the school so if they live in a poor village far from town it would be difficult. Also, some of the single parents need the kids to stay home to babysit the younger siblings or help out around the house. Food is available but not always affordable. And with young kids at home, a single parent can't go out and get work.
If we can provide a safe place for 3-7 year old kids to come play, learn, eat twice a day, nap, and meet volunteers from other countries, it could actually change their lives. A world of possibilities would be opened to them. They wouldn't have to leave their families to become street kids in order to find a better life like Frank did. Single parents would be able to go out and find work. Orphanages would be less burdened to supply kids with uniforms if we can find sponsors for those that graduate our school. The kids would learn to paint and read and speak a little English. The money I help raise to get this school up and running can really have an impact. Even if one of them went to school, got a degree and came back to start their own school or project, it would in turn impact hundreds more lives. That's why I believe I was led to Tanzania. A little bit can go a long way. Give the kids a boost so they can take advantage of the infrastructure already in place. Help them understand that the sky is the limit and that they can dream! Plus...it's a beautiful place for volunteers to come visit (wink, wink) Will you join this journey with me?
Tanzania is not the poorest country in Africa. It is not war-torn and desolate. There are children in other countries that are terribly malnourished and will never have a chance at an education. So why didn't I go there? Don't they need us more than the kids in Tanzania? Here is my take on it: I am one person. Where can I go where the little amount I can give will have the biggest impact? Where the money goes to feed starving kids or where it goes to give kids an education where they can in turn impact hundreds of lives? The answer is easy for me. Obviously, feeding starving children is essential and a great need. However, there are really, really large organizations where their sole focus is that. They have a network of people on the ground to get food there, they have money going into advertising and PR and huge events and can have kids writing you letters telling you they are doing this or that and it's awesome. Making sure children across the world are fed is a huge project, where huge organizations are to fill that need. What can I do where I can have a direct impact?
Education is life. Moshi, Tz has the infrastructure to empower women and youth. There are public schools that start when they are about 6 or 7. There are farms and food and tourism. It's a peaceful country where Muslims gets along with Christian and vica versa. The structure is there for poor families and orphans...they just need a boost. There is no public school for nursery age, only private, so by the time they are 7 they would be really behind already if they didn't have the opportunity to start learning at an early age. Also, they still need to purchase school uniforms and learning materials and backpacks and eat lunch. They still need to be able to get to the school so if they live in a poor village far from town it would be difficult. Also, some of the single parents need the kids to stay home to babysit the younger siblings or help out around the house. Food is available but not always affordable. And with young kids at home, a single parent can't go out and get work.
If we can provide a safe place for 3-7 year old kids to come play, learn, eat twice a day, nap, and meet volunteers from other countries, it could actually change their lives. A world of possibilities would be opened to them. They wouldn't have to leave their families to become street kids in order to find a better life like Frank did. Single parents would be able to go out and find work. Orphanages would be less burdened to supply kids with uniforms if we can find sponsors for those that graduate our school. The kids would learn to paint and read and speak a little English. The money I help raise to get this school up and running can really have an impact. Even if one of them went to school, got a degree and came back to start their own school or project, it would in turn impact hundreds more lives. That's why I believe I was led to Tanzania. A little bit can go a long way. Give the kids a boost so they can take advantage of the infrastructure already in place. Help them understand that the sky is the limit and that they can dream! Plus...it's a beautiful place for volunteers to come visit (wink, wink) Will you join this journey with me?
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