I recently sent £600 out to Tanzania. Part of this was raised by some friends and another part came from a man who had read my trip report. This is how the money has been used.
The photos show some of the children at Hombolo school – this is situated around two hours away from where Buigiri blind school where I am based when I am in Tanzania. Hombolo has a large day primary school with a small residential unit for blind children who are unable to join Buigiri school. Although life in Buigiri is bad, these kids have it really tough and are often overlooked. None of the blind from Homobolo continue on to secondary school and so their futures are bleak. Sometimes one or two manage to get places at Buigiri and that’s pretty much their only hope of living a reasonable life.

Part of the recent batch of cash went on buying all the blind children a school uniform and shoes. There was a small surplus and that bought toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap, biscuits and a bottle of juice. I’m glad there was enough for the last two items as it is important they get something to enjoy.

The email I got from one of the teachers at the school reads:

Habari Bwana [how are you Mr] Thom?
What is wrong with your phone? Because you are not available now.
I have send the photos of Hombolo children those who were provided with the things which were bought by the money you sent to me.
The following things were given to them:

1. School uniforms
2. Shoes
3. Socks
4. Soaps
5. Tooth paste, tooth brushes and skin oil
6. Juice and biscuits
You can see through the photos.
There are so many problems in the school which needs much effort and the help from good people in order to make the students that school perform their lessons in good way.
On behalf of them, I would to thank in advance who helped these children.

They also received some other items I left behind in March – such as the red square things which sneak into a couple of pics and are talking clocks. Oh, ignore the date stamps on the photo. Someone’s camera needs fiddling with.