A few weeks ago I met a 16-year-old boy called Mike in an orphanage in Tanzania. He was orphaned at the age of 6 and since then the orphanage has been his home. I have visited several orphanages in Tanzania and this is by far the most impoverished. When we walked into the orphanage Mike stood out holding his head high. I asked him what he wanted most in the world and he replied to go to school. He had been in school until two years ago sponsored by an overseas donor. The donor sadly died and when the money stopped coming Mike had to leave school. He loves math and science and history and has tried hard to keep up his studies on his own. He never gave up hope that someday someone would walk through the gates of the orphanage and help him get back to school.
We made inquiries and found him a great school - Edmond Rice School, Arusha. They were reluctant to consider him initially but eventually were convinced to give him an interview and entrance test. He impressed the school so much that they immediately offered him a place.
My family and I have taken it upon ourselves to raise the money for this. We have an excellent local contact in Arusha who will make sure that any monies sent will be used appropriately.
The school fees for the year including boarding are $700 additional costs and to cover uniform, books a mattress and blankets amount to $300 We are asking for donations of :
100 NIS / $30 / £25 ( You can, of course, give more)
We need the money quickly as the school year has already started in Tanzania.
I would like to add if you see we have either reached our goal or appear to be very close please don't let this hold you back from donating. Mike has 3 more years of schooling which he has to complete. I do not believe in adding the gift for pledges like many do on these funding sites. After all, this is a child's future. But I would like to say that anyone donating whatever sum, can get a thank you message, a copy of his report card at the end of term and his personal school email if they would like to communicate with him.