Our roots
We have come a long way since a sunny day in September of 2013. I was volunteering at an unlicensed school in Arusha, Tz. The school met a neighborhood need for education and a place for kids to go. Many attended because they received one meager meal a day.
It was midmorning and recess time was approaching. It was obvious that something was wrong with some of the kids–not only did they look ill, they didn’t even have the energy to respond to gentle words. Going out to play was not in the cards–they were 5 years old. When Teacher Mary was asked why, she responded “...they are JUST hungry. They probably haven’t eaten since yesterday at school.” I had never seen someone that hungry–in real life. Definitely, not a little kid.
Kylie (another volunteer) and I asked to bring something for breakfast the next day. The director agreed to feed the hungriest kids. Having no idea what would work, we landed on making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The next morning, the “hungriest kids” were gathered in the small kitchen. The other 45 kids or so, could see what was happening–it must have been so hard for them to watch–I doubt they were feeling too full.
It was midmorning and recess time was approaching. It was obvious that something was wrong with some of the kids–not only did they look ill, they didn’t even have the energy to respond to gentle words. Going out to play was not in the cards–they were 5 years old. When Teacher Mary was asked why, she responded “...they are JUST hungry. They probably haven’t eaten since yesterday at school.” I had never seen someone that hungry–in real life. Definitely, not a little kid.
Kylie (another volunteer) and I asked to bring something for breakfast the next day. The director agreed to feed the hungriest kids. Having no idea what would work, we landed on making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The next morning, the “hungriest kids” were gathered in the small kitchen. The other 45 kids or so, could see what was happening–it must have been so hard for them to watch–I doubt they were feeling too full.
I had never considered that they might have never seen a sandwich or know how to eat it! But they figured it out. After a few days, the director asked if we could provide a 5-7 grain porridge–we did. Still, just the “hungriest” were being fed. Finally, much to my relief, we suggested that all the kids be fed and the food program unofficially began! Soon we added more to lunch and a weekend meal program (there are stories about this, if you ever want to ask about it).
Soon, the hungriest kids were naughtily trying to pick my pockets, climb all over us, and had big smiles. It took a couple weeks, and their skin and hair started to perk up.
All this created more work for the teachers. They were taking turns making the porridge. Kylie and I were doing the breakfast and lunch dishes so that they would have time to teach. We knew that we would be leaving soon and someone needed to pick up the extra work of cooking, dishes, and cleaning. We hired Mama Yohanna. I asked her to work 5 days a week, but to take her 2 days off in the middle of the week so that she could cook meals on the weekend. She was adamant that she wanted to work everyday–and she did for years and years.
Soon, the hungriest kids were naughtily trying to pick my pockets, climb all over us, and had big smiles. It took a couple weeks, and their skin and hair started to perk up.
All this created more work for the teachers. They were taking turns making the porridge. Kylie and I were doing the breakfast and lunch dishes so that they would have time to teach. We knew that we would be leaving soon and someone needed to pick up the extra work of cooking, dishes, and cleaning. We hired Mama Yohanna. I asked her to work 5 days a week, but to take her 2 days off in the middle of the week so that she could cook meals on the weekend. She was adamant that she wanted to work everyday–and she did for years and years.
Donations started to roll in. We needed to raise around $350 a month to pay Mama Yohana and buy the food. My plan was to return to Wyoming and talk folks into committing to a few dollars a month so we could continue to fill tummies.
Now, many years later, one of our primary missions is to provide the nutrition necessary for brain and emotional development. We want our kids to begin primary school strong and ready to tackle what comes next. However, the cost is not the same! We now provide salaries, rent, all the food, utilities, teaching supplies, etc. It runs around $2300 a month. But I think that is a steal. We get so much bang for the buck–Over 40,000 meals a year, teachers with a livelihood, a landlord who has money in his pocket, a safe place for kids to be, a nurturing learning environment, and kids who love to come learn!
Our complementing mission is to provide educational sponsorships for kids when they enter primary school. Currently we have about 50 kids, sponsored to English Medium Schools, who are working hard to fulfill their dreams. Our first group of 11 kids, whom I have known since 2013, graduated from secondary school in 2024!! This is another story to tell for another page.
Now, many years later, one of our primary missions is to provide the nutrition necessary for brain and emotional development. We want our kids to begin primary school strong and ready to tackle what comes next. However, the cost is not the same! We now provide salaries, rent, all the food, utilities, teaching supplies, etc. It runs around $2300 a month. But I think that is a steal. We get so much bang for the buck–Over 40,000 meals a year, teachers with a livelihood, a landlord who has money in his pocket, a safe place for kids to be, a nurturing learning environment, and kids who love to come learn!
Our complementing mission is to provide educational sponsorships for kids when they enter primary school. Currently we have about 50 kids, sponsored to English Medium Schools, who are working hard to fulfill their dreams. Our first group of 11 kids, whom I have known since 2013, graduated from secondary school in 2024!! This is another story to tell for another page.
Created and produced by Bara Jichova Tyson