Compass School
Compass School is a school for orphans and refugees aged 5 to 17, grades 1 through 8, located just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Compass relies on donations and income generating projects to function.
Tumaini Afrika has provided funds to help rebuild a chicken coop, purchase chickens, expand the vegetable garden, provide meals and employ an administrator/social worker. The purchase of a generator and wiring enabling lights in the classrooms during the dark rainy season had been greatly appreciated. We have also supplied school supplies and textbooks, toothbrushes and paste, soccer uniforms, and clothing, including pillow case dresses. While visiting the school we have taught lessons and handed out Days For Girls feminine hygiene kits.
One of our members also organized a medical clinic for the students. Each child was assessed and given treatment or taken to a clinic if needed.
Currently, building a new school for these children has been our main focus.
Goats, Goats
and more Goats
Thanks to Tumaini Afrika member, Sheena Smith, and so many Tumaini Afrika supporters, we have been able to purchase over 600 goats for girls in Kenya over the past few years! At $50.00 each, 100% of the funds go towards the cost of the goats.
Goats as livestock help improve lives. Goats can be milked, they breed easily and take up little space. Selling or trading the goat milk helps financially. Eventually the goats may become a nutritious meal.
Purchasing a goat for a Kenyan girl is a great gift for the Canadian who has everything. They are a gift that keeps on giving, a gift of "hope!"
Days for Girls
The mission statement for the grassroots organization Days for Girls is to create a more dignified, free and educated world through access to lasting feminine hygiene solutions. The absence of feminine hygiene supplies causes girls worldwide to miss up to 2 months of education and opportunity every year. In partnership with the SSM Sewing Bees and Zonta, members of Tumaini Afrika distributed over 600 sanitary kits with reusable feminine hygiene products. Members of TA have also been involved in the creation of these kits. The girls were thrilled to get underwear as well as reusable sanitary products so that they are able to attend school every day.
Other Initiatives
Sponsorships
Students must pay to attend school in Kenya. They are required to have a school uniform as well as textbooks and school supplies. If the family has no money the child cannot attend school. Although Tumaini Afrika deals only with helping large groups of children, many of its members and some of their friends sponsor needy students. If you and/or some of your friends are interested in sponsoring a child to attend school, please contact us for further information.
Namuncha Maasai Village
Namuncha is a Maasai Village in rural Kenya. Currently attempting to grow their schools so more children in the area may gain an advanced education, officials requested support in building a fence (complete with barbed wire) to surround the school thereby keeping the children safe from predatory African wildlife, as well as keeping local cattle who eat the produce grown in the gardens that are a part of the Agriculture programs, out. Funds for this fence and some needed textbooks were donated by J.J. and Donna Hilsinger. A water tank was also needed and was provided by a grant from the Retired Teachers of Ontario. Many girls benefitted from a much appreciated gift of a goat, with funds sent by donors in Sault Ste Marie. DFG kits have been handed out to appreciative girls!
Mathare Community Outreach
We have sent funds for new kitchens, classrooms and repairs to the orphanage, as well as goats, DFG kits and taught lessons to students and staff
Heshima Children & Center (Heshima = Dignity)
In Kenya, there are few services that deal with children with special needs. These children either stay at home locked away due to public shame or they go to school without extra help. Heshima offers a free service to special needs kids who live in a small slum in Nairobi. We have donated a children’s wheelchair, school supplies and musical instruments.