It Takes A Community
“We had the vision, but without the resources it just sits in a chair.”
- James Nathaniel, co-founder of Tanzanian Children Concern.
“Teacher, do you know Chuck Norris?” asks Salim.
“Yes. I know him well,” I respond.
“Really?” says Salim.
“Of course. Do you know that he does not sleep?” I respond.
“No, Teacher. I do not know this,” says Salim.
“Yes, he does not sleep. He only waits,” I answer.
Salim seems to consider this point for a moment, forlornly sticking a finger in his mouth. He looks at me with a curious and a quizzical glance, as if pondering what other nugget of Americana he can derive from me.
“Teacher, do you know American Ninja?” asks Salim sheepishly.
“You mean Michael Dudikoff???” I respond, surprised at both the question and the fact that I actually know the answer is a C-list movie star from the mid 1980s.
Salim leans towards me and pulls my arm to bring me closer and whispers, “Yes. Him. He is better than Chuck Norris.”
I laugh out loud. Disagreeing completely, I am about to start my diatribe against this kung fu heresy, though the lunch bell rings and Salim runs with the rest of the children to get their lunch meal, leaving me to ponder the influential crap America sends out to the furthest reaches of the Earth.
Salim is one of the many children that attends the current Saint Timothy’s School just outside Moshi, Tanzania. Located in a lush and vivid green environment at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the school is an idyllic oasis of peace and learning. After the success of our climb, the GO team is here to visit the school to provide financial support to help build a much larger educational facility to expand the wonderful work of the Tanzanian Children’s Concern.
Founding teacher James Nathaniel displays his passion for his work.
Saint Timothy’s school is operated by the Tanzanian Children’s Concern. Founded in 2003 by a small group of concerned teachers, TCC has since been devoted to addressing the needs of local children and families made vulnerable by the AIDS pandemic. There are currently almost 2 million AIDS orphans in Tanzania, and this number is expected to more than double by the year 2010 (UNAIDS, 2006). Local, grass roots organizations such as TCC are committed to bringing a lasting impact to their community in a unique fashion.
What makes the Saint Timothy School project truly unique, however, is in the core idea of allowing the community to own the project itself. With financial support from Mama Hope (www.mamahope.org) and GO, the entire community is taking responsibility for the inception and construction of the school and subsequent health care facility. Working with all local architects, builders, village leaders, and project managers, the entire community will assist in bringing this project to fruition. Not only does this method save on project costs, it also builds a sense of responsibility and cohesion in the community.
The TCC is now seeking to greatly expand its teaching facilities and also to own the building where the children learn their instructions. This is a vital component of the project, in that ownership of the land and the school building itself will allow Saint Timothy’s School to register as an official educational institution. Lacking registration, the school and the TCC currently jump through legal and financial hurdles to ensure that their students’ educations are officially recognized by Tanzanian standards. Additionally, the new building will be of much greater size and will greatly expand their abilities to assist the orphans and at risk children of the greater Moshi area.
Kyle Miller and Ryan Gilpin look over the plan designed by the community.
The communities on the ground own this project and are responsible for making it a success with GO’s financial donations being our only contribution. They have, after all, over 1000 years of experience in this area. They know who provides the toughest pipes, who builds the most solid bricks, and who can provide these at the best prices. They know the legal requirements to be filled out and what it takes to ensure a bright future for the children of Moshi. With little outside support, the TCC already successfully hires out their own building and instructs 100s of local children
They do this on their own accord.
They do this because they can.
And they do this because they know it will build and nurture a strong community, one that thrives on its own given a solid investment of faith and effort.
As such, the GO team is proud to give an initial donation of $2,500 raised from their climb of Kilimanjaro to this effort. This will provide enough funds for the community to build 10 classrooms and bring the new Saint Timothy’s School one step closer to fruition.
Salim will be there for the opening, as will I. With a bit of luck, our next conversation will revolve around the merits of Chinua Achebe against those of Charles Dickens.
In my heart, I look forward to this day, knowing the seed of knowledge has already been planted.
Salim Awaits a Brighter Day
To pledge additional support for this project, please donate here >
- Bartlomiej Jan Skorupa
