CWUHA SUPPORTED PROJECTS IN TANZANIA

The CWUHA have supported initiatives & educational projects in Moshi (in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro), Tanzania, for nearly 20 years. The overriding theme for these projects is to help underprivileged children, primarily through ensuring that they have access to an education.

The Kilima Hewa School:

Since the CWUHA’s very first Tanzanian visit back in 2007, to explore how our charity’s sponsorship could potentially support children attending the Kilima Hewa Kindergarten School, we have passionately sustained and developed this project, with the help of several committed CWUHA volunteers visiting on self-funded trips over the years: in 2011/12, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2023 & another planned for late 2026.

Mr Massawe, a qualified teacher, who had returned home to farm his family’s land on the passing of his elderly parents, has over the last two decades (along with his wife Susan & CWUHA support), provided an essential community service for the most needy of young children (aged 4 – 7) in Moshi & the surrounding area.

Whilst education is compulsory from the age of 7 in Tanzania, and is officially free, many of the poorest families cannot afford the cost of school materials, uniforms, food or examination fees. For

those in extreme poverty, any form of education remains an unaffordable luxury. Therefore, if the CWUHA is able to provide these children with this, otherwise unattainable, positive start in life, it is one of the greatest gifts that we can give.

The kindergarten building is more than just a school. It is a safe place for these young children to go, where they can receive a basic early years’ education, but, more importantly, have a free space to interact, play and just be children. It is clear that many who attend the school, survive on just the one daily meal that is served to them there (a maize based porridge), and have family circumstances that mean that any other regular meals, or basic provisions, are unlikely.

Since our initial involvement, the CWUHA has continued to assist this project in many practical ways, including: the building of multiple classrooms & a toilet block; supplying electricity & access to computers; installing water tanks to store precious rain water; providing a safe playground surface & modern outdoor play apparatus; purchasing educational resources, books & stationery supplies; supporting with costs of growing crops & keeping chickens; paying a teacher’s salary & agreeing to cover the annual sponsorship of 50 children (including the provision of two school uniforms per child & their one meal a day).

The Excel Education Foundation (EEF):

The Excel Education Foundation (EEF) again has a facility based in Moshi, with a second in Arusha, Tanzania. It is a non-profit organisation, led by a team of women, focused on providing education to impoverished children in the area by connecting them with global sponsors. They seek to empower and support students in public schools (primary & secondary) who cannot afford to meet the cost of a basic education. Each student signs a ‘contract of commitment and behavioural standards’ and they are expected to achieve at least a grade B. The Foundation also has women from the local community who support the young people by teaching ‘life skills’ which include cooking and personal finance. 70% of the children live in homes with no electricity, so the foundation provides solar lights to assist them with continuing their studies at home.

For many years now the CWUHA has sponsored the education of two of the students in the care of The Excel Foundation.

The BAHATH Foundation:

The BAHATH Foundation is an NGO (non-governmental organisation), ie. a non-profit voluntary citizens’ group, also based in Moshi, Tanzania, which assists especially vulnerable children, orphans and street kids by providing education, healthcare, clothing, food and shelter to children in crisis. They are particularly focused on helping children and families affected by extreme poverty, including those dealing with disabilities.

The founders of BAHATH were two former street kids themselves, who created a successful project aimed at offering similar assistance to other children who are facing, or have faced, life on the streets, and to support, wherever possible, family reconciliation for those in their care to ensure that they can remain in contact with any relatives.

The CWUHA has previously supported the foundation in the form of beds/bedding, clothes & food, and continues to sponsor the education of two children via this key initiative.

Moshi Street Kids Soccer Academy (MOSKISA):

‘MOSKISA’ is a community-based organisation located in Moshi, Tanzania, dedicated to empowering youth via football, sport and wider education. The academy focuses on providing training, character development, and life opportunities for street children and vulnerable young people through mentoring and support.

We have assisted the academy by supplying a CWUHA sponsored football kit, sports equipment, bicycles, mattresses & food provisions.

All of the above projects are truly inspirational in their own right and we are extremely proud of the CWUHA’s association with each of them.

Our ability to help ‘Deliver Smiles’ to the most vulnerable of children is only possible with the incredible ongoing donations and affiliation money that we receive from our supporters.

The CWUHA Trustees wish to Thank you from the bottom of their, and the children’s, hearts 🫶

If you would like more information on CWUHA or our work in Tanzania, please email Trish Vollans: trish.vollans@openreach.co.uk