Maaka and the Other Children in His Village Need a Proper Classroom
Maaka Ndipa is five years old and attends Endiasika Preschool in his rural Tanzanian village.
The preschool he and 45 other children rely on is housed in a hut made of mud and sticks, with a corrugated metal roof. The structure is so fragile it could collapse in the next storm.
We’re raising funds to build a safe, solid classrooms to provide these children with a proper place to learn and grow.
Endiasika Preschool serves the children from a small village community in northern Tanzania. It’s the only early childhood education available in the area, and it’s supported entirely by local families who understand how important education is for their children’s future.
There is only one dedicated teacher, a few benches, and almost no equipment. There are no tablets or no internet access; just eager young learners doing their best with what little they have.
During a recent visit, we pointed to a picture of a ball stuck onto the mud wall and asked in English, “What is this?”
“Ball!” came the answer, confidently, from several of the children.
Right now, the preschool is in a mud-and-stick hut with a corrugated metal roof. The walls are cracking, and the structure is unstable. When it rains, which it often does during the wet season, the school becomes dangerous.
There is a very real risk that the building could collapse during a storm, endangering the children and their teacher. It’s not just uncomfortable; it’s unsafe.
Despite this, the children come each day, eager to learn. What they need now is a safe, permanent classroom where they can study without fear.
The local community already has land available for the new school building. The Tanzanian NGO Joy and Hope for Rural Community, based in the nearby city of Arusha, is committed to building two proper classrooms to replace the current hut.
The total cost, including materials, construction, painting, and labor, is estimated at $15,000 USD (approximately €13,000).
GoFundMe Campaign to be Launched Soon
Through this GoFundMe campaign, we aim to raise €10,000 to cover most of the costs. This limit is set to comply with Finnish police regulations for small-scale fundraising. All money collected will be transferred directly to the NGO’s bank account in Tanzania.
The remaining €3,000 will be raised by the NGO from other sources, and we are actively seeking partnerships with businesses and organizations that want to support early childhood education in rural Tanzania.
If you know a company, group, or foundation that might be interested in helping, please let us know or share this campaign with them.
Every connection counts.
People Behind the Campaign
We are Aulikki and Howell, a recently retired couple of lecturers from Tampere, Finland. For the past two years, we have been volunteering as teachers in Tanzania. This year, we began working with Zakayo and Upendo, the dedicated founders of Joy and Hope for Rural Community.
Having seen firsthand how education can transform a child’s life, we understand the profound impact a safe and stable classroom would have on the children of Maaka’s village.
Please consider making a donation. Every contribution helps!
If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with friends, colleagues, or your workplace can also have a significant impact.
Let’s give these children the strong start they deserve!
Thank you for your support.
Aulikki and Howell
Volunteering from:
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Tampere, Finland
