THE ARUSHA CHILDRENâS TRUST
NEWSLETTER #2 JANUARY 2001
PO BOX 223 , ARUSHA , TANZANIA
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To all friends, supporters and donors.
Happy New Year!
The Arusha Childrenâs Trust is starting 2001 with plenty of enthusiasm thanks to the continued support of our donors both old and new. If you did not read newsletter #1 here is a short history of the trust.
The trust aims to help children in the Arusha and Rift Valley Regions of Northern Tanzania primarily with education, health and environmental awareness. It aims to achieve this by improving facilities, providing educational materials and equipment and by taking a mobile film unit into schools and communities to show health and wildlife videos which have already been translated into Swahili. The trust is non-religious and non-political and respects the cultures and traditions of the indigenous people. Originally registered as a charity in the UK in 1998, the trust finally got off the ground in December 1999. Since then it has been working and growing due to the efforts of volunteers in Tanzania and in UK. The trust operates with the support of Tropical Trails, a safari company in Arusha.
Donations and Sponsorship
KILIMANJARO CHARITY CHALLENGE
In July 2000 Michael Wood and his son from UK made it successfully to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, of which Tanzania proudly boasts.
They raised a grand total of 640 pounds for the trust. Unfortunately they dropped their camera on the way down and were unable to send any photos but they had a memorable climb arranged by Charity Challenge UK. To quote from Michael:
â The climb was wonderful. We went from tropical rainforest through various climatic zones to a very cold, dry and dusty summit. The things that stuck in my mind are the incredible performance of the porters who ran past us carrying about 20 kilos of luggage on their backs or heads while we shuffled along pole pole ( Swahili for slowly ) and the views, particularly over the glaciers, mist and plains from the top.â
GULATI FAMILY FOUNDATION USA
In August 2000 Ravi Gulati of the Gulati Family Foundation pledged 2500$ to the trust for the year 2000-2001, then in December Ravi decided to increase the donation to 3000$. With this donation the trust can support one of the many schools in the Rift Valley region in need of repair, facilities and educational equipment.
ROBERT GUNN USA
In June 2000 Robert Gunn did a trek in Northern Tanzania with Maasai guides and donkeys arranged by Tropical Trails. On route Robert visited a local Maasai primary school in the village of Bulati in the Rift Valley. He gave the students an impromptu science lesson and learned from the staff that there were several bright students who could benefit from sponsorship in order to complete their primary school examinations. With the 3000$ Robert has donated to the trust four students have received extra tuition, sports equipment and globes have been bought and delivered to the school and the remainder will provide additional educational equipment. It was Robertâs wish that one third of the money should go towards improving the trustâs communications therefore a desk top computer has been purchased and is in operation.
PENWITH ONE-PER-CENTERS UK
In July 2000 the Penwith One-Per-Centers, a local charity whose members donate 1% of their take home pay for worthwhile projects in the developing world, donated 1000 pounds and in November 2000 they donated another 150 pounds. This money is being used for the purchasing of equipment for the trustâs mobile film unit.
ON GOING PROJECTS
MOBILE FILM UNIT
The trustâs aim to get the mobile film unit on the road has not yet been achieved. One reason has been the lack of funds to purchase a proper vehicle to transport the equipment. The original idea of a 110 Defender pickup has been abandoned as unsuitable. The trust is dedicated to the idea of the mobile film unit and donations have been received to purchase the necessary video equipment.
A MAASAI VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTRE
Since July 2000 the trust has been involved in the building of a community centre in a Maasai village called Olmuringiringa, seven kilometres north of Arusha. The project started with funds raised in UK by Dorothy Robertson. Her brother Bruce Robertson, who was teaching in a local school in Arusha, had visited the village and seen at first hand that the community needed a facility for the younger children and the women. He got to know the director of the project, Ole Supeet, and together they planned to make a start. As Bruceâs contract came to a close and his departure from Tanzania became imminent he approached the trust and asked them to take over the project.
The building work started in August and the initial money raised, over 700 pounds, went quickly on building materials and labour. By November 2000 the building came to a standstill. Dorothy and Bruce are continuing to fundraise for the project and have recently over Christmas raised another 400 pounds. Not only does the building itself need to be completed but furniture and educational materials are also required. The centre will provide kindergarten education for 4-6 year olds and also childcare/ nutrition classes for the women. This project needs more sponsors in order to be completed and to function in the future. Major General Laizer, a trustee in Arusha, recently visited the site and was so impressed by the project that he has committed himself to find local sponsors and to organize some fund-raising events.
FUTURE PROJECTS
A CASE STUDY
With forthcoming funds the trust hopes to help as many schools as possible in the Rift Valley region of Tanzania.
One school, Longido Primary, has already been visited and a case study has been written outlining the areas that need attention.
Longido Primary is a boarding school and the dormitories are in desperate need of repair. The children are living in cramped, unpleasant surroundings. There is no sick bay therefore contagious diseases spread rapidly. The classrooms lack basic textbooks and equipment. There is no science, sports or music equipment at all for over 550 students.
The teachers lack proper housing and do not have a staff room where they can meet. All work has to be completed by sunset, as there is no power or a generator. The kitchen is totally lacking in modern facilities and often cannot cater for all the students.
This boarding school is typical of the region and there are other day schools which are equally lacking in the basic necessities.
TRUSTEES MEETING
In July 2000 the trust had its first trustees meeting. Despite the unusual location, Gatwick Airport outside London, UK and Tanzania came together to discuss many important issues and to decide where the trust is going and the goals it hopes to achieve in the next few years.
SUMMER EVENT 2001
A summer charity ball is to be held in West Sussex, in the south of England, probably on the 21st July 2001, organized by Stephen Hamilton-Bergin. Please phone 01444 471 888 for more details.
REGISTRATION OF THE TRUST IN TANZANIA
The registration of the Arusha Childrenâs Trust in Arusha, Tanzania has recently been completed. The trust has been registered in the UK since 1998 by Carey Langlois Advocates & Notaries Public. The trust is recognised as an NGO (Non- Government Organization) operating in Tanzania and is therefore able to function properly, to maintain proper banking procedures and to obtain tax advantages.
The UK trustees are incorporated as trustees in Tanzania.
CONTACTS IN UK
Nadja Willis â 18A Sidney Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham, TW1 1JR, London.
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Gill Dinning â This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CONTACTS IN TANZANIA, EAST AFRICA
Mike and Ishbel Brydon â PO Box 223, Arusha, Tanzania
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BROCHURES AND DONATIONS
Please send for a brochure which outlines our aims. This newsletter can be photocopied and passed to friends, businesses and other charitable groups.
Comments, points of view and fundraising ideas are very welcome.
Donations can be sent directly to either of the following addresses:
The Bank of Scotland
43, Comely Bank,
Edinburgh
EH4 1AF
Scotland
UK
The Arusha Childrenâs A/C, . Sort Code 80-11-05
The Royal Bank of Scotland International
St. Andrews House
Le Bordage
St Peter Port
Guernsey
The Arusha Childrenâs Charitable Trust, Acc No. 56068985.
