THE ARUSHA CHILDREN'S TRUST
Newsletter #7 December 2006
P.0. Box 223, Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa.
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From the Editor
To all new readers, friends, supporters and donors in Tanzania and all over the world. Welcome to our seventh annual newsletter.
The Arusha Children's Trust has had a successful year for fundraising and getting international recognition. This has been due to the hard work of the volunteers and the new website which has been designed and managed by Robert Gray of New Zealand. Robert and his wife Mary visited Tanzania two years ago and wanted to help schools in the bush which have little or no equipment. You can read more about that further on.
Earthdance for Peace, Arusha, sponsored by many companies and individuals and hosted by Masai Camp was a very successful highlight in 2006. Money raised is building a new classroom.
ACT thanks everyone who has helped to make 2006 a success by supporting our projects.
We want to make 2007 an even better year for the children who need it most. Your continued support is greatly needed to keep up and expand existing projects and to fund new ones. Many thanks to Tropical Trails/Wilderness Trails safari companies for services in Arusha.
Ishbel Brydon.
Project manager in Arusha.
Community Centre News
The community centre, built by the trust in Olmuringiringa village, north of Arusha, is about to celebrate its 5th year. The kindergarten in the centre has up to one hundred children daily, aged between four and six. They receive a hot breakfast of porridge and milk every day.
In November 2006 thirty nine children graduated to start Standard One in five different primary schools in the surrounding area. The guest of honour at the ceremony was Mr. Julius Moruaro who is the Ward Education officer. He spoke sincerely about the need for more early childhood provision in Tanzania and praised the efforts of the teachers and parents who have made the school a success.
From the money raised by Earthdance for Peace in September 2006 we have been able to start building a new classroom at the centre. Other donations this year will enable us to furnish the classroom and to provide new educational materials.
The women's group in the centre has continued with Masai jewellery making sessions and English classes.
Sibusiso, the foundation for mentally handicapped children has continued to hold monthly outreach clinics in the centre for the disadvantaged children from the many small villages in the area.
In May and June 2006 agriculturists from The African Conservation Foundation, Nina Camfferman and Sixtus, gave interesting talks to the community about the use of traditional, natural medicines for cattle and the prevention of cattle diseases and organized a tree planting session with the children.
The kindergarten had been visited by tourists from overseas and has received cash donations, educational equipment, toys and clothes.
Claudia van Westen and Jannemiek de Jong, two enthusiastic fundraisers from Holland gave $1100US to the new building project in order to buy furniture and educational materials.
Fund-raising in Arusha
The Earthdance 2006 event for World Peace hosted by Masai Camp in Arusha for the third year was one of the biggest music festivals ever held in Tanzania. Held on September 16th this local fundraising day and night of music and special performances was a huge success thanks to the organizers, especially Wieke van Leeuwen and her team, the many performers and all the local businesses, organizations and individuals who sponsored the event.
A total of three million Tanzanian shillings ($2400US) was raised for charity. ACT was the beneficiary of
the event and the money is being used to build a new classroom for the kindergarten in Olmuringiringa village.
Burn's Night in Arusha
Is there any country in the world which has not felt the influence of the Scottish poet Burns? Masai camp in Arusha was the venue for an energetic evening of Scottish songs, traditional dances and haggis. Many thanks to Anne Colvin and Mairi-Louise Flavin for organizing the event, to the enthusiastic band and to Bob Jessop for making the haggis.
$157 was raised for ACT.
Fund raising in UK
Old friends of ACT the Robertsons and their friends were also busy organizing a Burns Night in January and a cycle ride in April from Newcastle in the north of England to Dundee in Scotland. Despite horrendous weather conditions Bruce Robertson, Dave Cabrielli, Richard Turland and David George completed their 490 km journey with minimal mishaps (five punctures and one broken chain) in five days.
They raised a total of 1190 pounds for ACT.
Anne Colvin and friends organized various events in around Brighton and came up with an amazing 950 pounds for ACT. Anne came to Arusha for 4 months to do volunteer work in schools and became especially involved with a school for physically and learning disabled children. Anne's many talents including dance enabled her to form a special relationship with these children.
Some students and teachers in schools in Scotland have been busy organizing various events to raise money. Many thanks go to Angela Irvine and the pupils of Woodlands Primary School, Linwood, Renfrewshire, Kayren Hall, Waid Academy in Fife and Christine Sumstine, Woodmuir Primary, Breich, West Lothian.
Angela Irvine contacted Lochwinnoch International Aid,
Scotland and they gave her 300 pounds to add to the 295 pounds raised by the children for ACT.
Great work UK!
Donations to ACT
The following companies and individuals (not already mentioned) have donated or fundraised this year.
Robert Gunn, USA
Julia Aisbitt, UK
Robert and Mary Gray, New Zealand
Ian Robertson, Arusha
Chris Morris, IntoAfricaUK Ltd,
Victoria Dickinson, UK
Madeleine Cox, Arusha
Mr. & Mrs. A.D.S.Schneider, Holland
Ann Camerlynck, Belgium
Alexander Palmer, UK
Carmen Nveno-Palap, Spain
Grant Nelson, USA
Richard King, UK
Andrea Martin and friends, UK
Ishbel Brydon.
Sponsorship News
Robert Gunn, USA, has been a dedicated supporter and donor to ACT for several years. He is continuing to sponsor Naitira Ngare, a young Masai from Bulati in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Having completed a tour guide course Naitira is back in school in Form V and hopes to continue to Form VI.
Footballs and Netballs
Bulati and Nainokanoka Primary schools in the Ngorongoro Highlands in northern Tanzania were very happy to receive sports equipment in June thanks to Robert and Mary Gray of New Zealand. Each school received twenty footballs and twenty netballs.
The Grays who had visited the schools during a walking safari the previous year were struck by the great lack of resources in the schools but were also moved by the resilience of the students and teachers. The equipment was delivered by Tropical Trails.
How can you help?
To continue with our projects we rely on fundraising activities, private sponsors and donations.
Donations can be made directly to ACT through the website or by cheque/direct credit to the following address.
The Bank of Scotland,
43, Comely Bank Road.
Edinburgh
EH4 1AF
United Kingdom.
Sterling Acc no. 06002520
Branch Sort Code: 80-11-05
Account name: The Arusha Children's Trust.