GODFREY'S CHILDREN

A Project of Hope

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Godfrey's Children Participation
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The Ministry of Labour, Youth Development and Sports, Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with UNICEF is organizing a workshop for 30 children who are living in institutions to discuss issues around Children in Residential Care. A member of the Godfrey's Children project will be participating in this workshop. The workshop will take place at UNICEF office in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania from 11th - 12th March 2003 and the participants have been invited by the Ministry itself.

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Godfrey's Children Projects in Tanzania
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The following is a list of community-based projects that began in 2001 in Tanzania. All projects are in collaboration with the organization, Africa Bridge:

1. Health project- to purchase medication for local health clinic.
2. Animal rearing project- includes the rearing of cows and pigs for income-generation.
3. Milling machine project
4. Saw mill project

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2003 Fundraising Activities
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Fundraising activities have included:
A. A runner in the Los Angeles Marathon of 2003 raised money that was added to the overall funds for the construction of the children’s center.
B. Two local charity events were held in Oregon, USA where musicians were invited and local residents to raise money for Godfrey’s Children.
C. A supporter of Godfrey’s Children participated in a bicycle race across the state of Oregon in 2003.
D. Local government officials in Mbeya have committed their support of the work in Mbeya by Godfrey’s Children by applying for funding from the Tanzania government.
E. Additional funds were sent by the organization Save Africa from AIDS were sent for the education of children whose families could not afford to send them to school because of the additional costs (i.e. cost of buying a uniform, textbooks, stationary, etc).
F. Additional funds are being received from generous individuals to support the purchase and maintenance of school uniforms for children in Mbeya.

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Volunteers
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A couple from the UK will be in Tanzania for 6-9 months (starting in September 2003) and live and work in Idweli to assist in the construction of the children’s center and also workl in other local projects in the area.

Two students from Sweden will join the project as volunteers in December 2003. A student from the UK completed her volunteering in September 2003. She was involved with working with women and children groups.

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Community Achievements 2003
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Idweli Executive Committee:
-Started a documenting process that will set out the management of the Children’s Center.
-Village Executive Committee will manage the Center and villagers will volunteer their time, provide food and some money.
-Expertise will be provided by the office of the Rungwe District Social Welfare Officer.
-Idweli has started a voluntary AIDS testing program.
-50 children will be identified and fiancial assistance provided for them to go to school.
-A census of every child in the village will be done; name age, sex, parental status, school status, etc.
-Two project managers for the construction of the children's center were hired in October 2003.

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February, 2002