Background

Mdawi and the surrounding villages

The village Mdawi, with around 6,000 inhabitants, is situated at 1,300 metres on Mt. Kilimanjaro in the north-east of Tanzania (see map below). The villagers of Mdawi are poor. Their houses are made of mud or brick, and are shared with cattle, such as cows and pigs. The houses are surrounded by banana-, mango- and coffeetrees; this is the main source of income for the region.

 

Photo: Kilimanjaro, Kibo (Uhuru peak)

 

Orphans due to the HIV / AIDS epidemic

The HIV / AIDS epidemic hit Mdawi and the neighbouring villages hard. Unfortunately, the stigma of the disease frequently causes partners of HIV-infected persons to leave the village. Currently there are around 250 orphaned children in and around Mdawi, whose parents died or left the village. These orphans are raised by family members, grandparents (who are often not able to manage this) or others in the community.

 

In order to provide these children with a good education, insufficient money is available locally. Therefore, Allen Lekey, inhabitant of Mdawi, started to raise money several years ago, so that these children also get a chance in society. He started a project in Mdawi, where donations of 50 Euro support one child for one year in order for the child to go to primary school (which is a seven-year education).

 

Of these 50 Euro the following is bought:

• 2 schooluniforms
• 2 pairs of shoes
• socks
• sweater
• schoolbag
• schoolbooks
• pens
• mathematical set
• cookingset
• maize and beans (lunch for 1 year)

Up to today, 65 orphans are being sponsored for their primary school education through The Netherlands. More than 250 orphans are supported through sponsors worldwide. But there are still many orphans in and around Mdawi without sponsorship. Your donations are more than welcome. Besides that, the sponsors in The Netherlands support 15 children for their secondary school education, which is a six-year programme. Your financial contributions are more than welcome!

 

Furthermore, money was raised in spring 2004, in order to buy a Singer sewing- / nittingmachine for the new Tailoring School. This school provides professional education for young girls, that are not able to go to secondary school. As of July 2007, the school became self-supporting, so no more donations are required. Also, we are establishing a Carpenter School for boys. This school was officially opened in November 2007 and we hope it will be self-supporting from July 2008.

 

In August 2005, we started the HIV testing and treatment of HIV-infected children. For only € 100 per year, one child can be treated and it will be provided of a whole new future (as AIDS is still one of the major killers in Africa)!! Please go to the page HIV testing and treatment for more information about this new project.

 

The page Donations shows how you can make a contribution for the sponsoring of the education of an orphan, HIV testing and treatment, and the Carpenter School.