Karibu Imuma!
Welcome to Imuma Orphanage and Center for Vulnerable Children
Imuma is a small orphanage in the town of Bagamoyo, in Tanzania. The center, which supports up to sixty children each day, consists of two small classrooms in the far end of the property, a small office and bedroom on the left, a kitchen, an art room, and a small room with a mattress and television.
Each of the two classrooms has seven benches and one small blackboard. Most often the children are divided into two informal classes - one a class of 10-15 older, more advanced students, and another of the other 40 younger students. The children often sit three or four to a desk. If a volunteer is not teaching, often an older student (10-13 years old) will lead the younger students in the alphabet or other simple lessons.
Although the students are eager to learn, the lack of materials cripples their schooling. The blackboards are old and difficult to write on, and chalk is rarely available. A few students have pencils and writing booklets, but pencils are shared among fifty children and last a short time.
Imuma also has a small art room where local artists teach beading, bracelet making, and painting. The pieces are sold to visitors, a portion of the money going to Imuma and the other going to the child whose work was sold. Many of the volunteer artists also donate a portion of their profits to Imuma.
Some of the children, like thirteen year old Ally, have developed a passion for art. Ally is very talented and is always drawing, whether in the classroom or on the beach. Art lessons are not only helpful for providing a source of income, but also keep the students from being involved in more dangerous activities in their free time.
Local musicians also volunteer at Imuma giving drumming and music lessons.
The kids also learn to dance, and love to do so. They perform at Imuma - whether anyone is there to watch or not!
Imuma aims to provide two meals each day. Unfortunately, when money is tight, this is sometimes impossible. Meals are most often uji, a thin porridge, that Adele or Asha prepare over a fire.
Dishes are done outside with some water and soap, and a straw scrubber. Sometimes there are too many jobs and too few volunteers, and at these times students like Asia (left) miss class to help out with chores.
Sharif can often be found in his small office next to the classrooms. He works hard all day on Imuma's budget and on ensuring that the needs of the children are being met. He often works out arrangements with the families of some children and takes care of health issues. Sharif is also working on plans for Imuma that will hopefully make the center self-sustaining.
Asante!
Thank you for visiting Imuma.
To learn more about any of the kids or about how you can help,
please contact Sharif at imuma.bagamoyo@yahoo.com
We hope to see you soon!
Karibu tena.