Providing Inclusive Education in Tanzania

I'm sure you've heard the phrase before: It take a village to raise a child. It means that a child's development is a product of his or hercommunity. The people who we spend the most time with ultimately shape who we are as an individual. For those without a traditional family, the people who make up their community is even more instrumental in their growth and development.

With this in mind, we at Amani work to provide opportunities for disadvantaged kids to make meaningful connections with the environment and people around them for healthy socialization and educational stimulation.

Amani provides the children it supports with frequently opportunities to participate in educational outdoor activities. In October, the children went to a neighboring area to go bird watching. Armed with pencil, paper, and binoculars, they observed indigenous and regional birds alike. After the activity, some wrote stories about the birds while others chose to draw them.

On the weekends, back at the orphanage, short lessons are provided that cover a variety of topics. They include everything from personal nutrition to wildlife studies. Our kids learn where their food is grown, appreciate mother nature, and as a result, become insightful junior scientists.

Some of our older kids go to private school. Recently, J and A graduated primary school with honors. At private school, they have the opportunity to make connections with classmates and families outside the orphanage. The relationships they have built here are likely to last a lifetime.

What strikes me the most about life at Amani Orphanage is how normal of a childhood these kids are able to have. They do not need to worry about hunger, clothing, or lack of love. They have found a family in each other, in their classmates, in their caretakers, and in their community. They can run through open fields, play games, go to school, and grow to become responsible citizens in the future.

We have donors like you to thank for that. I said it takes a village; you are part of that village. You may have never met these kids or been to their country, but you have inevitably shaped their lives and future by providing them with the resources to lead a healthy and normal life. For that, we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

- Amani Children's Orphanage