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Temple Beth El Congregants Make a Difference in Tanzania With Nonprofit Supporting Education
January 2024
By Judy Coco
It began as a safari vacation, evolved into a fundraiser, and ultimately transformed into a nonprofit organization.
Just over ten years ago, Kelly and Roger Gaines, along with their daughter Allie, planned a safari vacation.
Wanting to assist the orphanage affiliated with their travel agency, Allie decided to turn her summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro into a fundraiser to provide much-needed textbooks. Allie successfully raised funds to purchase 443 textbooks and teaching aids. However, the intended orphanage required only 50 books. The travel agency proposed delivering the surplus books to a remote town, leading to another adventure.
They discovered that the remote town struggled to secure teachers, so the Gaines family provided additional funding to collaborate with local contractors in constructing living quarters for the teachers. This achievement became the catalyst for TanzaCare, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing education in rural Tanzania. Many schools in the area lack adequate facilities, including classrooms, textbooks, and learning materials, hindering effective learning for children.
Twice a year, Kelly and Roger visit Tanzania to meet with government officials, school boards, elders, and non-governmental organizations to assess educational needs in rural areas and monitor proposed construction projects for supported schools. By working with this mix of local resources, Kelly and Roger gain a comprehensive understanding of needs and allocate funding appropriately. They also rely on Yesaya Mwashala, the director of operations, who keeps them informed throughout the year. Mwashala is encouraged by TanzaCare's impact, stating that the organization "positively affects children in rural areas."
TanzaCare supports three primary schools (grades 1 through 7) and sponsors nearly 40 students to attend secondary school and beyond. Secondary school funding covers expenses such as room and board, tuition, uniforms, and stipends for personal items. To encourage educators to relocate, TanzaCare offers free housing and basic necessities. Sponsored students must maintain their grades to continue their education. Currently, two graduates of TanzaCare's sponsorship program are attending a university, three students have become electricians, and many others return to their villages to tutor. All serve as role models and encourage students to apply for sponsorship, which is granted based on a student's demonstrated ability to continue their education and available funding. It costs approximately $1,000 annually to support a student through four years of secondary school.
During one of their visits to Tanzania, Kelly and Roger learned that villagers had to walk a significant distance to fetch water from a pond. This discovery led to the development of Rainwater Harvesting Systems for each school.
Kelly, the executive director, and Roger, the CFO, are members of Temple Beth El. They want you to know that they welcome volunteers every July to assist in the schools, and 100% of all donations directly benefit the schools and the students they support. As a child, Kelly was told that she could achieve anything — a philosophy she continues to live by and promote today. We are grateful to Kelly and Roger for making a significant difference in the lives of many.
To learn more about TanzaCare, visit www.tanzacare.org.
