The Classroom
Our biggest project is the construction of a 6x6 meter structure that will accommodate two classrooms.
Phase 1 - Foundation
The foundation was completed on May 25th, 2011.
Phase 2 - Bricklaying
We decided on 1.5 meter high brick walls. The bricklaying was completed on June 1, 2011.
Phase 3 - Wire Mesh, Roof, and Dividing Wall
After the brick walls were completed the next step was framing the rest of the walls and roof. The remainder of the walls is wire mesh. The framing and beams are constructed from 2x4's and the roof is tin. The wall divides the structure into 2 classrooms (one for the older children and one for the younger). The wall is constructed from plywood.
Phase 4 - Aesthetics
The final phase of the classroom consisted of painting the interior and building two chalkboards and desks for each room. Paint and materials for the desks and the chalkboard have been generously donated by a close friend and volunteer, Dee Jordan, from Ireland.
Phase 1 - Foundation
The foundation was completed on May 25th, 2011.
Phase 2 - Bricklaying
We decided on 1.5 meter high brick walls. The bricklaying was completed on June 1, 2011.
Phase 3 - Wire Mesh, Roof, and Dividing Wall
After the brick walls were completed the next step was framing the rest of the walls and roof. The remainder of the walls is wire mesh. The framing and beams are constructed from 2x4's and the roof is tin. The wall divides the structure into 2 classrooms (one for the older children and one for the younger). The wall is constructed from plywood.
Phase 4 - Aesthetics
The final phase of the classroom consisted of painting the interior and building two chalkboards and desks for each room. Paint and materials for the desks and the chalkboard have been generously donated by a close friend and volunteer, Dee Jordan, from Ireland.
Preparing the Maise Field
The field after weeding and ploughing the soil
An important part of the children's diet is maise, they rely on it for the poridge they are fed everyday. The street centre has a maise field but it was in need of some TLC. We spent the first week preparing the field for eventual harvest in August.
The Vegetable Garden
The land for the vegetable garden, May 1st, 2011
The vegetable garden is approximately 30 x 15 feet. The garden consists of eggplant, onion, Chinese cabbage, kale, and sweet potato.
So far we have purchased watering cans, garden hoes, and seeds. The land was cleared with the help up of three local moms and volunteers.
First, we ploughed the land, which was a physically demanding job as the soil was hardened by the sun and being completely overgrown by weeds and trees. Secondly, we created 20 different beds for the varying seeds. Then we planted the seeds and covered them with dried grass (to encourage moisture and warmth). All three steps took one week's labour and was an exciting experience for both the children and mama's!
In three weeks time we hope to see some green buds sprouting!
So far we have purchased watering cans, garden hoes, and seeds. The land was cleared with the help up of three local moms and volunteers.
First, we ploughed the land, which was a physically demanding job as the soil was hardened by the sun and being completely overgrown by weeds and trees. Secondly, we created 20 different beds for the varying seeds. Then we planted the seeds and covered them with dried grass (to encourage moisture and warmth). All three steps took one week's labour and was an exciting experience for both the children and mama's!
In three weeks time we hope to see some green buds sprouting!
Garden Update
After 2 months of attention the garden is flourishing. There are three mama's that are dedicated to not only maintaining but also expanding it to use all the land that is available. The mama's have been diligently working on the garden everyday. The vegetables are now ready for the children to eat as part of their daily meal. As the garden can be harvested year round, there may be extra vegetables for the centre to sell and use the profits derived to purchase livestock and school supplies.
Updated June 19, 2011
Updated June 19, 2011
Women's Handbag Project
The teacher at the Njiapanda Street Outreach Centre learned to make these bags at University and is now teaching 25 women at the centre. For the last three months, the women have been meeting on Sundays to create the bags. Each bag takes between 2 and 3 days to complete. The teacher buys the palm leaves and dye at the local market for the women to use. Originally, these women gathered to socialize after church on Sundays but now they are they are realizing the opportunity to create potential income for their families.
On June 20th, we found a store that is willing to sell the handbags in Moshi. There are currently 15 handbags in two different sizes. The potential revenue for the women is as follows:
Revenue per Small Handbag
Selling Price - 18,000 TSH ($10.66 CND)
Amount owed to shop owner - 5,000 TSH ($2.96 CND)
Cost of Materials - 3,500 TSH ($2.07 CND)
Total Revenue - 9,500 TSH ($5.63 CND)
Revenue per Large Handbag
Selling Price - 25,000 TSH ($14.81 CND)
Amount owed to shop owner - 5,000 TSH ($2.96 CND)
Cost of Materials - 4,000 TSH ($2.36 CND)
Total Revenue - 16,000 TSH ($9.47 CND)
Streets 2 Schools is pursuing opportunities in Canada to sell these handbags. They would make excellent reusable shopping bags or beach bags. If you are interested in selling or purchasing a handbag please contact us at [email protected].
On June 20th, we found a store that is willing to sell the handbags in Moshi. There are currently 15 handbags in two different sizes. The potential revenue for the women is as follows:
Revenue per Small Handbag
Selling Price - 18,000 TSH ($10.66 CND)
Amount owed to shop owner - 5,000 TSH ($2.96 CND)
Cost of Materials - 3,500 TSH ($2.07 CND)
Total Revenue - 9,500 TSH ($5.63 CND)
Revenue per Large Handbag
Selling Price - 25,000 TSH ($14.81 CND)
Amount owed to shop owner - 5,000 TSH ($2.96 CND)
Cost of Materials - 4,000 TSH ($2.36 CND)
Total Revenue - 16,000 TSH ($9.47 CND)
Streets 2 Schools is pursuing opportunities in Canada to sell these handbags. They would make excellent reusable shopping bags or beach bags. If you are interested in selling or purchasing a handbag please contact us at [email protected].
Public School
As we have been receiving incoming donations while in Tanzania, we will be able to sponsor a number of children to attend public school. There are roughly 15-20 kids that are old enough, but due to insufficient household financial constraints have never stepped foot in a government school. The children must first be registered to the school in order to enroll for January of 2012. The estimated cost per student per year is 100,000 TSH ($60 CND). Streets 2 Schools will be meeting with the facilitator and registering as many children as funding will allow.
Update
After meeting with the head mistress/master from two different primary schools, Streets 2 Schools was able to register a total of 14 primary level children who will enroll in public school beginning in January of 2012. Ten of the children will be attending Dr. Shen Primary School based in Njiapanda, while the remaining four will be enrolled at Himo Primary School, approximately 10 minutes from Njiapanda. Total expenditures on tuition fees, which includes two sets of uniforms and shoes per child, school supplies, and a daily meal for one year was $377.03 CND. When averaged out, the total cost per child, per year ended up being more than 1/2 of the price that we had anticipated, $27 a child annually.
Just take a minute to think, the next time you consider buying that new top for a night out, or a casual dinner at an average restaurant, is there something more valuable you could put your money towards? A little certainly goes a long way in these quarters of the world, and you're helping benefit the lives of children who have never been given the opportunity to obtain an education!
Update
After meeting with the head mistress/master from two different primary schools, Streets 2 Schools was able to register a total of 14 primary level children who will enroll in public school beginning in January of 2012. Ten of the children will be attending Dr. Shen Primary School based in Njiapanda, while the remaining four will be enrolled at Himo Primary School, approximately 10 minutes from Njiapanda. Total expenditures on tuition fees, which includes two sets of uniforms and shoes per child, school supplies, and a daily meal for one year was $377.03 CND. When averaged out, the total cost per child, per year ended up being more than 1/2 of the price that we had anticipated, $27 a child annually.
Just take a minute to think, the next time you consider buying that new top for a night out, or a casual dinner at an average restaurant, is there something more valuable you could put your money towards? A little certainly goes a long way in these quarters of the world, and you're helping benefit the lives of children who have never been given the opportunity to obtain an education!
Makanya Women's Group
We came to Makanya Village in Same with a friend who runs an organization based in Tanzania, with intentions of researching about day to day struggles in poverty stricken societies. Little did we know, this village faces major challenges in every area of the social structure. This includes; healthcare (high % of HIV/AIDS affected families), education, no water, lack of food, high unemployment, and a lost sense of community. Our friends organization (Pamoja Afrika) is working to improve the quality of life in Makanya and the first step of the process was listening to the people's stories.
We were fortunate enough to meet a wonderful group of women (pictured). They have dedicated their lives to helping members of their community that have been diagnosed with HIV. These women help educate children about HIV, arrange transportation to and from hospitals for HIV medication, and open their home as a safe, welcoming place for people to rest, visit or just talk. The most incredible part about this story is how they have created something so powerful with no government support and no financial means. These women can barely feed themselves and their own families, yet they feel the overwhelming need to give back to the community in any way possible. They share a common passion for the importance of educating their community and children about HIV. Not only are these women caring and compassionate they are also extremely business savvy. The Makanya Women's Group are familiar with farming in an area 2 hours away from their village. They arranged a deal for renting 1 acre of land to farm, they had calculated all of their expenses, crunched the numbers and saw a huge opportunity to make a profit. We were so blown away by their energy, passion, and stories that we knew we had to find a way to get these women that land! We connected with Westshore Soroptimist and they almost immediately raised the funds required for a micro-loan. One month later, we went back to the village but this time we had a micro-loan contract and cash in hand. We explained what a micro-loan was and what the terms of payback are. We also explained how there is a women's group in Canada, in our home, that believes in what they are doing so much they had to get involved. After they stopped giggling, hugging, and looking at the single piece of paper with typed English on one side and hand written Swahili on the other, they exclaimed "It would be IMPOSSIBLE for us to not pay back this money!" It's interesting to think that most people in developing countries would rather be empowered with a micro-loan then to be handed money with no strings attached. This micro-loan was so much more than just a contract with some money, it empowers this Women's Group, it gives them something to work towards, it lets them know that what they are doing is incredible, powerful, and helping their community in countless ways. And, that there is a women's group in Canada that they have inspired and that believes in what they are doing.
For more information on Westshore Soroptimist: http://westshoresoroptimist.yolasite.com/
For more information on micro-lending: http://www.kiva.org/
We were fortunate enough to meet a wonderful group of women (pictured). They have dedicated their lives to helping members of their community that have been diagnosed with HIV. These women help educate children about HIV, arrange transportation to and from hospitals for HIV medication, and open their home as a safe, welcoming place for people to rest, visit or just talk. The most incredible part about this story is how they have created something so powerful with no government support and no financial means. These women can barely feed themselves and their own families, yet they feel the overwhelming need to give back to the community in any way possible. They share a common passion for the importance of educating their community and children about HIV. Not only are these women caring and compassionate they are also extremely business savvy. The Makanya Women's Group are familiar with farming in an area 2 hours away from their village. They arranged a deal for renting 1 acre of land to farm, they had calculated all of their expenses, crunched the numbers and saw a huge opportunity to make a profit. We were so blown away by their energy, passion, and stories that we knew we had to find a way to get these women that land! We connected with Westshore Soroptimist and they almost immediately raised the funds required for a micro-loan. One month later, we went back to the village but this time we had a micro-loan contract and cash in hand. We explained what a micro-loan was and what the terms of payback are. We also explained how there is a women's group in Canada, in our home, that believes in what they are doing so much they had to get involved. After they stopped giggling, hugging, and looking at the single piece of paper with typed English on one side and hand written Swahili on the other, they exclaimed "It would be IMPOSSIBLE for us to not pay back this money!" It's interesting to think that most people in developing countries would rather be empowered with a micro-loan then to be handed money with no strings attached. This micro-loan was so much more than just a contract with some money, it empowers this Women's Group, it gives them something to work towards, it lets them know that what they are doing is incredible, powerful, and helping their community in countless ways. And, that there is a women's group in Canada that they have inspired and that believes in what they are doing.
For more information on Westshore Soroptimist: http://westshoresoroptimist.yolasite.com/
For more information on micro-lending: http://www.kiva.org/
2012 Calendars for Sale
As part of a recent fundraising project, Streets 2 Schools has compiled some of their most captivating photo's from their 2011 experience in Tanzania and has customized a calendar for the 2012 year! Calendars make for an excellent Christmas gift and can function as a basic planner to be hung at home or in the office. Not only that but 100% of your purchase is allocated towards improving educational opportunities amongst vulnerable children and adolescents.
More specifically, proceeds will be split between maintaining past projects in Tanzania as well as future projects. Streets 2 Schools' 2012 focus will be assisting a partner organization in reaching their fundraising objective of $30,000 by the spring, in order to build four additional classrooms at a vocational college in Mbarara, Uganda. Schools Building Schools is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC, whose mission is to provide access to primary universal education by establishing vocational schools, therefore enabling impoverished youth to obtain practical skills and employment opportunities.
How to Purchase a Calendar
Calendar purchases can be made by donation. We feel that it should be up to those contributing to our cause to decide how much they would like to pay. Please follow the two simple steps to ensure you will receive a calendar:
Step 1: Click the donate button below to lead you to the paypal link. Follow the procedures to make a donation.
Step 2: Once the payment has been completed, email [email protected] with the address you would like to have a calendar mailed.
Streets 2 Schools appreciates the support! Happy Holidays!
More specifically, proceeds will be split between maintaining past projects in Tanzania as well as future projects. Streets 2 Schools' 2012 focus will be assisting a partner organization in reaching their fundraising objective of $30,000 by the spring, in order to build four additional classrooms at a vocational college in Mbarara, Uganda. Schools Building Schools is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC, whose mission is to provide access to primary universal education by establishing vocational schools, therefore enabling impoverished youth to obtain practical skills and employment opportunities.
How to Purchase a Calendar
Calendar purchases can be made by donation. We feel that it should be up to those contributing to our cause to decide how much they would like to pay. Please follow the two simple steps to ensure you will receive a calendar:
Step 1: Click the donate button below to lead you to the paypal link. Follow the procedures to make a donation.
Step 2: Once the payment has been completed, email [email protected] with the address you would like to have a calendar mailed.
Streets 2 Schools appreciates the support! Happy Holidays!