Imagine that I came to Tanzania for the first time at Christmas four years ago (2020), purely by chance and without any intention. And what has happened since then! - Thanks to your donations and fundraising campaigns, six classrooms and a teacher's accommodation are ready, five teachers and other employees ensure operations. We were able to buy agricultural land near the school so that the students can be self-sufficient in the future. In 2022, we founded both the NGO ERAMATARE and the tourism company ERAMATARE EXPERIENCE to strengthen the Maasai community and the school economically. The much-needed water pipe is planned, and some of the trees we planted are already providing shade on the school grounds.
ERAMATARE then and now :-)
Although it seemed quiet for a while, there is a lot going on!
Kindergarten class
Four years ago there was a single "kindergarten class". We still run this. Kaira has been teaching the young preschool children in the local language, Swahili, for years. This is necessary so that they can at least understand the teachers when they go to public school, because the Maasai speak their own language (Maa). We are currently building a classroom for this group at the other end of our school grounds , because...
...we cannot accommodate all the children in our school. Our school is an English-speaking elementary school with 30 children per class. We want English to be spoken as much as possible during the breaks, which is why we are removing the “kindergarten class”.
We are already reaching the third grade
The new school year starts in Tanzania in January. Since we have always DONE what is POSSIBLE since the project began in spring 2021, the first of our children will already reach the third grade in January. We are currently collecting donations for the tables and chairs for this class.
Kaira told me with a smile how well the children are developing. And that they are not afraid of him or the teachers at all. The reason is simple: we do not punish them. Kaira made it clear to the teachers and parents that the use of violence is a sign of personal weakness (and grounds for dismissal for employees).
Registration of the school including obligations
The official registration of our school is in process. Two things are still necessary:
1) the construction of the administration building and
2) the production of the prescribed school uniforms .
The two students Anna-Lena Dorn (architecture) and Matthias Mitterer (civil engineering) have planned an administrative building under the supervision of Ing. Harald Tafatsch , including a library, guest rooms and sick rooms. This will be realized in the coming year 2025.
Kaira has hired a seamstress to take the children's measurements. We give the order to a group of seamstresses. This way we create work in the region and it is relatively cheap: € 100 per uniform, shoes included . - The parents pay for these uniforms. Only 15 (out of 120) parents are unable to pay this amount. We are therefore looking for donors to clothe these 15 children !
Website ERAMATARE-TOURS
Our tourist offer ERAMATARE TOURS www.eramatare-tours.com is online thanks to Viktoria Mitterer . She is responsible for the design, graphics and programming. Take a look and let yourself be whisked away to Tanzania! If you have any questions about tours, give me a call!
Tax deductibility of donations
We are also grateful to our tax consultant Robert Kuster , who handled the tax deduction for ERAMATARE and will be providing his services again next year. All donations to ERAMATARE are tax deductible in Austria from January 1, 2024, if the name (as stated in the residents' register) and date of birth are stated on the transfer.
We are still looking for sponsors
The running costs increase with each new class. We have to pay the teachers' salaries every month, provide the children with school materials and food. If you donate just € 1.31 a day , you will finance a child's primary school education. Give us the chance to turn your donation into joy and meaning!
Water, high costs and great hope
What costs us a lot is the transportation of water to the school . A lot of water is needed, especially for mixing concrete. We are very grateful that the IOG (Engineers Without Borders, Tyrol regional group) are building a water pipeline for us and and are also financing it. We hope that the IOG will be able to build the pipeline in 2025. That will be a real reason to celebrate!
Many small actions, big impact
My two young role models, Ida Pöll and Julia Ettinger , who started a relief campaign two years ago when they were nine years old during the terrible drought, are active for the third time this Advent. After weeks of busy preparations, they are offering their work at Advent markets and answering questions for ERAMATARE. Let me tell you: their work gives me hope and boosts my own motivation. Because our vision can only be realized if many people join in and donate generously. Almost nothing works alone.
Giving Education – Wishing for Education
We are always delighted when the opportunity to make a wish for education on various occasions (birthday, Christmas, farewell...) or to give the gift of education is used. Your wish/gift will enable Maasai children in Engaruka to attend school and thus have a future with opportunities to shape their future.
I would be happy to send you posters (digital) and flyers (also by post).
Moving for Maasai
I have reported in detail online about our four-week promotional tour and its results . The financial success of this tour enables us to continue to realize our vision step by step. We would like to thank all donors and those actively involved (from the organization of the charity runs, media support,... to accommodation, mediation to the media... to emergency aid) from the bottom of our hearts! It is worth taking a look at our press page . There are several interviews to listen to, various articles to read and TV reports to watch
ERAMATARE is part of the “Break Free From Plastic” initiative –
“Break Free From Plastic” is a global movement that campaigns against plastic pollution. It aims to reduce dependence on single-use plastic and hold the plastic industry to account. ... It aims to raise awareness of the negative effects of plastic waste through education and mobilization.
Soil improvement
The non-profit organization Char2Cool from Germany will support us in improving the soil on our newly acquired farmland (2 hectares) with the help of Terra Preta produced locally from corn cobs. In addition, the association will organize and support the implementation of a horticultural project including irrigation on 2,000m².
We collect rainwater
In January, we created 200 mini ponds to collect rainwater, which then slowly seeps into the ground. This helps to raise the groundwater level in the long term.
We plant trees next to these mini-ponds, which benefit from better soil moisture and can thrive more easily.
Future project: Construction and operation of a boarding school
Many children have a very long journey to school of up to 12 kilometers in one direction. This is why parents have long wanted to build a boarding school. As soon as we have finished the school, we will dedicate ourselves to this project. As is so often the case, this is primarily a matter of finding the money.
Many thanks to all our supporters who make our work for the children and women in Engaruka possible! Please stay with us, donate and rejoice with us!
We at ERAMATARE wish you happy holidays and good health in the New Year!
Warmest regards, Sigrid & Kaira
Yorumlar