Tumaini means "hope" in Swahili, the national language of Tanzania.
Hope is what we aim to provide to the many children in Tanzania who
have lost their parents due to the AIDS epidemic. We know many have
heard of the devastation brought about by the AIDS epidemic in Africa,
and we are deeply concerned about the future of Africa's children.
Our mission is to provide education for these children while meeting
their basic material and medical needs. The boarding schools Tumaini
supports house students who are either orphans or their parents send
them to the school because their villages are too impoverished to
provide a good education.
We want to share with you the great needs of these children for your
prayer and support. By helping them secure a basic education, these
children will have the opportunity to work towards self-fulfillment
and empowerment.
The children at the schools are in need of everything from backpacks
and school supplies to running water so that they can take showers.
Our method of aid thus far has involved shipping large containers
overseas packed with school supplies, medical supplies, furniture,
bicycles and even a car. The reason for shipping the items rather
than sending money is that it is far more expensive to purchase these
same items in Tanzania than it is in the United States. The containers
are also useful shelters and storage that can be kept to help meet
their needs.
Tumaini hopes to send another container shipment in September, and so
far we have had many generous contributors, both individual and
corporate, donate large amounts of material goods. Carle Hospital in
Champaign, Illinois, for example, has donated over 150 computers so
far. We are now in most need of monetary funds to ship these items
and to continue sending any and all future items. Our current
fundraising goal is $10,000. Would you please prayerfully consider a
tax-deductible donation of $100, $50, or even $20? Please send checks
to the Tumaini Foundation, 715 Erin Drive, Champaign, IL 61822 or
visit our website at TheTumainiFoundation.org.
Thank you and God bless you.
John C.A. Bambenek blogs at Part-Time Pundit.
