Computers for Kijana Kwanza

This summer, I got the opportunity to spend four weeks in Moshi, Tanzania. I was working with an NGO called Kijana Kwanza, which supports disadvantaged children and provides young people with access to education, training and life skills. Many of the boys and girls I spent my time with were orphans, street children, or victims of abuse.

My experience with Kijana Kwanza (Swahili for Young People First) was a complete 180 from life in the Western world. I encountered families living in mud huts, operating on less than $5 for their daily expenses; for many of these families, sending their children to Secondary School is considered irresponsible because they would be losing a possible income source. Having returned home, I am determined to continue supporting these families in whatever way possible.

We often take for granted how technology and the internet have transformed our lives – yet less than 5% of the population in Moshi has access to a computer. I am launching this page to fund computers at Kijana Kwanza's new shelter so the students can gain access to the new world technology provides. These computers will allow even the most deprived children the same opportunities we have to access educational resources. Subsequently, technology can be used as an economic equalizer, bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

My ultimate goal is to create a buddy system pairing each young Tanzanian at Kijana Kwanza and its surrounding communities with an international volunteer so they can chat via Zoom and improve their English language skills, an invaluable skill in any developing nation. Tanzanian secondary schools are taught in English, so those who do not speak English proficiently are unable to enter secondary school at all. Access to English-speaking volunteers will increase the number of Young People with the skills necessary to enter Secondary School.

But I need your help to make this possible. We need 30 laptops – each costing $500. It would be wonderful if you could sponsor one laptop, but of course any contributions are meaningful. Please give what you can and share this GoFundMe link with your friends and family.

Please check out Kijana Kwanza’s website to learn more: https://www.kijana-kwanza.org/

If you live in the US and are interested in a tax receipt, please follow these steps: https://kijana-kwanza.org/us-bank-account/