Tumaini is a vocational training center and school for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Its parent NGO is called Global Alliance for Africa (GAA), with its main fundraising office based in Chicago. Established in 1996, GAA has 16 African partners and over 1,500 orphans and vulnerable children involved in its programming efforts to date.
Their mission is to foster self-reliance among youth and community development on a grassroots level. Thus, all of their staff is Tanzanian (aside from me) with major decisions made in consultation with the American staff in Chicago (for more details, see: www.globalallianceafrica.org). Tumaini provides not only vocational training, but also English, Spanish, French and Math classes so as to prepare Tanzanian youth for tourism and secretarial industries. Furthermore, they cooperate with several partner agencies and small community-based organizations (CBOs) in Arusha, such as Women in Action (WIA), Msamaria, Huruma Children’s Trust, Sisters of Canossa, and Edmund Rice Secondary School. These partners serve as feeders to Tumaini center, identifying and assisting orphaned youth. I’m really looking forward to meeting them in the next month in order to assess the potential for joint projects, seminars, etc.
During this next year, my primary responsibility is to serve as a Life Skills teacher for Tumaini’s 20 or so orphans or vulnerable children, along with assisting with their bike program. Core to the center’s vocational programs, Tumaini’s bicycle maintenance and repair program is the essence of sustainability, providing the majority of the 12 current staff salaries (including teachers, cooks and a grounds man). What occurs is second hand bikes are shipped in a large container to Tumaini, whose children (along with staff guidance) fix up these bikes and sell them to the public with rather large price tags, particularly for Tanzania (bike prices range from $50-100+). Spare (au “spea” kwa Kiswahili:) parts are also sold for additional profit. We’re expecting such a shipment in October; all are anxiously awaiting its arrival.
*The current staff at Tumaini, holding gifts, bidding Patrick (previous Peace Corps volunteer) goodbye*
The center’s aim is that this specific vocational training coupled with life skills (better decision making, communication and relationship skills) will provide these children (ranging from 13-20 years old) with a safe, structured environment, allowing them to more effectively integrate socially, communicate with others and build self-esteem. Our hope is that these youth will realize their potential, contribute to their personal, social and economic advancement, as well as engage in the local community. With half of new HIV/AIDS infections occurring among 15-24 year olds worldwide, enhanced education and vocational skills can be life saving and mitigate the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on a larger scale. Moreover, providing these kids with greater access to education and income generation is a primary means to alleviating poverty.
Their mission is to foster self-reliance among youth and community development on a grassroots level. Thus, all of their staff is Tanzanian (aside from me) with major decisions made in consultation with the American staff in Chicago (for more details, see: www.globalallianceafrica.org). Tumaini provides not only vocational training, but also English, Spanish, French and Math classes so as to prepare Tanzanian youth for tourism and secretarial industries. Furthermore, they cooperate with several partner agencies and small community-based organizations (CBOs) in Arusha, such as Women in Action (WIA), Msamaria, Huruma Children’s Trust, Sisters of Canossa, and Edmund Rice Secondary School. These partners serve as feeders to Tumaini center, identifying and assisting orphaned youth. I’m really looking forward to meeting them in the next month in order to assess the potential for joint projects, seminars, etc.
During this next year, my primary responsibility is to serve as a Life Skills teacher for Tumaini’s 20 or so orphans or vulnerable children, along with assisting with their bike program. Core to the center’s vocational programs, Tumaini’s bicycle maintenance and repair program is the essence of sustainability, providing the majority of the 12 current staff salaries (including teachers, cooks and a grounds man). What occurs is second hand bikes are shipped in a large container to Tumaini, whose children (along with staff guidance) fix up these bikes and sell them to the public with rather large price tags, particularly for Tanzania (bike prices range from $50-100+). Spare (au “spea” kwa Kiswahili:) parts are also sold for additional profit. We’re expecting such a shipment in October; all are anxiously awaiting its arrival.
*The current staff at Tumaini, holding gifts, bidding Patrick (previous Peace Corps volunteer) goodbye*
The center’s aim is that this specific vocational training coupled with life skills (better decision making, communication and relationship skills) will provide these children (ranging from 13-20 years old) with a safe, structured environment, allowing them to more effectively integrate socially, communicate with others and build self-esteem. Our hope is that these youth will realize their potential, contribute to their personal, social and economic advancement, as well as engage in the local community. With half of new HIV/AIDS infections occurring among 15-24 year olds worldwide, enhanced education and vocational skills can be life saving and mitigate the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on a larger scale. Moreover, providing these kids with greater access to education and income generation is a primary means to alleviating poverty.
