We have started to collect money to support IMUMA's campaign to become self-sustainable. With successful, sustainable businesses IMUMA can become independent and end reliance on donations. The two current projects are the brick making business, which is well under way, as well as the internet cafe. Both of these projects still need funding and organization, but will soon be open and running. As part of the penpal program with the School of the Future, we are filming a documentary of the communication that has been established, as well as organizing a program where the children at IMUMA will have access to internet in order to connect virtually with their friends in New York. This is a mutually beneficial relationship that allows both sides to experience another culture. The children at IMUMA will gain invaluable skills in both English and computers as a result of the program. We hope to have the video available for those who are interested in late March.
Many of the children have started school again and are doing very well. I have spoken with Idrisa and he was 13th in his class of 175 students. We hope that through these programs education can become a top priority available to all children at IMUMA.
Thanks again for all of your love and support.
December 22, 2010
Sharif and the kids wish everyone who supports IMUMA a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Sharif and Asha are endlessly grateful to everyone who has been a loving part of the IMUMA family. The kids are sending their first pen-pal letters back to New York this week and we are all excited to continue this cultural exchange. Thanks again!
Happy Holidays!
October 25, 2010
WE DID IT! We have finally reached our goal of raising enough money to send all of the primary school graduates to secondary school! Sharif has already begun to enroll all 6 kids into the pre-secondary program to prepare them for school in January. Katherine has already sent over half of the money to Bagamoyo and since we've been able to raise the rest of the money, it will be on its way very soon! This is exciting news and everyone at IMUMA is extremely thankful for everyone who has been so generous.
IMUMA has also started a penpal program between 10 of the kids and the community service club at the School of the Future in New York City. They are waiting for the first round of letters which should arrive within the week! It is our hope that the program will help to expand the horizons of all of the children, help the kids at IMUMA write and speak English, and give the kids in New York a glimpse of another culture. This past Friday, these wonderful students were able to raise over $100 through a bake sale at their school. The money will be used to ship school supplies to IMUMA.
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| SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE STUDENTS WITH A PICTURE OF THEIR PENPAL |
Once again, thanks to everyone who has been so instrumental is making all of this happen!
September 21, 2010
After the first donations raised for IMUMA with the card project were sent to Bagamoyo, Sharif set out to purchase some essentials, as well as some treats for the kids! With the TSH 600,000 IMUMA was able to purchase more cups and mugs for morning tea and for uji, as they did not have enough for all of the kids. Sharif also bought some food storage containers and 6 much needed corrugated iron sheets that will be used to finish the roof in the kitchen. The rest of the money was used to feed the children. They were treated to juice and a big meal to celebrate the end of Ramadan! Once again, we can not thank those who donated enough! God bless!
We also have extremely exciting news! This month, IMUMA has had 6 children graduate from primary school! We would like to congratulate them for all of their hard work and dedication and wish them luck at this pivotal stage in their lives! Our current campaign to raise money will be focused on providing these recent graduates with secondary education, a highly valued opportunity in Tanzania. The 6 children are:
Subira Saidi
Asmaa Juma
Ashiruna Shabani
Mbelwa Hamisi
Wema Juma
Benedict Flavian
Congratulations!!
September 10, 2010
Thanks to Katherine and her uncle, IMUMA is now able to receive donations online through PayPal! This has been extremely successful and we have been able to collect over $510 through online donations! We are now over 20% complete with our goal to raise enough for money the school fees, as well as enough money for the kids to live and eat comfortably for the next few months! Thanks to everyone who has dedicated their time and money to IMUMA!
September 8, 2010
This week IMUMA received almost TSH 600,000 raised through donations collected from recent IMUMA volunteers. Marie, Hannah, and Katherine helped to create cards designed by the children from IMUMA to give to those who donated to the cause. The cards provided a short description of IMUMA as well as a brief idea of the goals and values set forth by IMUMA. This project has proved to be successful thus far. Recently, 6 children have finished primary school and need funding to continue their eduction and go to secondary school. Without help, these 6 kids will no longer receive an education. Education is key to providing skills and opportunities for these children to further their dreams and create lives for themselves.
We have now added a section to the blog to allow for online donations, just click on the "DONATE" tab and you can use your PayPal account. Thanks to all who have contributed, your kind actions have not been overlooked!
August 17, 2010
Today Imuma started using the blog for the very first time! Three volunteers from Cross Cultural Solutions helped start Imuma's first blog.