Our Mission:
Promote Healthy Futures in AIDS-Impacted Communities
News
Neither sleet nor rain nor giant mud puddle…
It can be a challenge to visit sponsored orphans during the rainy season! We visit each sponsored child, either at home or at school, once each year to check in and share your messages of support. The rains have come early this year, with monsoonal downpours that turn the dirt roads into more than just a challenge for humans, animals, and the few vehicles that even attempt to travel them. We try to plan our visits to minimize being marooned in a distant location, mostly with success. Last week we met Eric Gardian at Nkoanrua Secondary School, where the Second Head of School vacated his office to facilitate our visit. » Read more
What Makes A Good Life?
In the last few weeks we have had conversations in “swanglish” (Swahili/English) with young orphans, asking them what their vision is of their future. If you asked an American child that question, you might hear that they wanted to be a pilot, or a movie star, or drive a cool car. Many told us that they wanted to have “a good life”. We probed a bit further, and asked what it meant to live a good life. Number one answer? Two meals a day. » Read more
Stories We Love To Tell
The changes in the lives of our microfinance loan recipients are just too wonderful. Tumaini Williams is a young HIV infected widow with an 8 year old son named Kelvin. Two years ago Tumaini joined WALIPO, WAMATA’s support group for those living with HIV/AIDS. When Pamoja Project made interest- free microfinance loans available to members of this group, Tumaini borrowed enough to buy a cow. With the milk generated by the cow, she has been able to not only support her son and pay off the loan, but has recently taken another loan to build an outdoor bathroom building near the Williams’ little house. This is Stella the cow, with her owners.
Tanzanian Children’s Rights Advocacy
Although Tanzania signed the African Charter for the Rights of the Child in 2004, little progress has been made other than lip service paid to the health care and educational needs of Tanzanian children. Presently, caning is an accepted punishment in schoolrooms across the country, and children are expected to be working members of the family without the right to an opinion. Recent movement in advocacy circles that aim to support not only the rights to health and education, but also the child’s right to dignity and emotional support, have begun to reach those in positions of authority. » Read more