JOS Volunteer and Project Manager of the Child Sponsorship Program, has joined Tanzania Education Corporation (TEC) www.tanzania-schools.org , as Program Director and International Volunteer Coordinator. Boston-based TEC was established to provide financial support for selected non-government English-language based primary and secondary schools in Tanzania, and has been specifically focusing on Tumaini Junior School. Funds have supported infrastructure projects including classroom buildings, dormitories and administrative offices. Additionally, TEC offers scholarships for needy children to attend Tumaini. TEC recognized the advantage of having someone working on the ground to expand its work and provide up to date information so through an anonymous grant, Elizabeth has joined the TEC team.

Since 2009, JOS has worked alongside TEC in supporting Tumaini Junior School so we anticipate continued success for our CSP now that Elizabeth has returned to Tanzania for five months until December 2012.

Also, we are thrilled to announce we have raised the $23,000.00 needed to complete the Water Well Project at Tumaini. Due to the horrid drought Tanzania and much of East Africa endured in 2011, Tumaini Junior School was in desperate need of accessible water to serve the 500+ students, teachers and other staff members. On average, the daily consumption at Tumaini is 10,000 liters of water per day for cleaning, cooking, drinking, washing laundry and watering the vegetable gardens and surrounding grounds. In light of the drought, Tumaini’s supply right was decreased to only 2,000 to 3,000 liters per day, creating the need to walk at least 2 to 5 miles to haul the water with a water truck or to have people transport the water with buckets on their heads.

Consequently, JOS committed to raising the remaining funds needed to access the much-needed water. We raised a portion of the funds at a November 2011 fundraiser. Likewise TEC collected donations from Tumaini supporters. In April and May 2012, JOS received more than $ 14,000.00 through memorial donations for the late, John C. Kallop, Elizabeth’s father. Mr. Kallop began supporting the school in 2009 through the CSP, and remained a committed donor until his death in April 2012, having recognized the great vision and dedication of Mr. Bayo and his staff.

At this time, Tumaini has the funds needed to purchase the equipment and parts for accessing the much-needed water. Later this year, the water well will be named in the memory of John C. Kallop. In the meantime, visit Elizabeth’s Blog www.adventuresofadelicateflower.wordpress.com for periodic updates and photos of work in Karatu.