How we made the impossible possible for Mary

posted by admin | Taged as - all children matters, change lives, disability inclusive education, education for all, right to education, special needs education, The Foundation for African Empowerment

20 October 2020 / 0 comments

“For almost a year-and-a-half I became sick and I was paralysed from the waist downwards. I completely lost sensation and could not attend school,” says Mary Magdalene, a 14-year-old student supported by The Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE).

Before this happened, Mary was a healthy student who was third position out of 117 students in her school in Arusha. Her life changed on 20 June 2018, when a doctor officially informed her that she was paralysed below the waist, so could not stand or feel any sensations below the waist. Despite several visits to different hospitals, the cause of the paralysis was unknown.

For Mary, who was enthusiastic and hardworking, the news that she could no longer go to school was both devastating and mystifying.

When our team from FAE visited Tuvaila Primary school to see how we could support children with special educational needs and disabilities access quality inclusive education, the school headteacher told the team about Mary Magdalene. The team decided to visit Mary Magdalene at home to assess her disability, living condition and studying as she prepared for the Standard Seven National Examinations at the end of 2019.

The team found that she was living with her 89-year-old grandmother at Usa River, as her poor father could only afford to support her three other siblings and her mother had left when she was two years old. Mary and her grandmother were living in a small two-bedroom house made of mud walls without enough windows for aeration and light. Mary told us that she would often go to sleep on cardboard and plastic bags without eating food.

Their main hope for food was begging from neighbours and passers-by. When the situation got particularly bad, Mary would ask her older brother to buy her food. Due to her brother’s love for his younger sister, he skipped school many times and took on jobs such as brick making so he could buy food for Mary and her grandmother. He also helped with cooking and washing her clothes.

Mary’s dream

Mary told us that despite her condition, her dream was to complete primary school and to train to become an accountant. Mary is full of dreams and hopes for a better future for herself and her family. However, her dream could not be realized without preparing well for Standard Seven National Examinations at the end of 2019.

How we helped Mary

After talking to Mary and other stakeholders, we concluded that the best help for Mary was to move her to another primary school which is disability inclusive and could offer a conducive environment for studying.

In collaboration with other partners, we provided a bed, a wheelchair and a desk for Mary. Despite missing three months of study, Matonyok Primary School, a boarding primary school in Arusha city were happy to accept her and ensure that she continued with studies as well as undergoing physiotherapy.

Making the impossible possible

Despite her mobility challenges and with a lot of hard work and determination, Mary’s dream to complete primary school was realized on 12 September 2019 when she successfully completed her primary school exams, the Standard Seven National Examinations.

Due to her impressive examinations results, the Meru District Council awarded her with a Congratulations Certificate and other presents as she performed well in the category of children with mobility challenges. Her road to secondary school was clear.

Her headteacher at Tuvaila Primary School shared her thanks to FAE at a celebration event for all the children who completed their exams. “Thank you FAE for sponsoring Mary, who is now on her way to join secondary school education.”

Mary said: “I got help from the Foundation for African Empowerment and managed to successfully complete primary school education. With the help from the FAE and other well-wishers, I have now fully recovered, I am no longer using a wheelchair. I have regained all my sensation, I jump and run, and I am in secondary school just like other students.”

While Mary’s father shared: “I have nothing to say on what you have done to my daughter, except to say that may God reward you on what you have done.”

Samwel Mfanga, the Executive Director for FAE said: “We are happy for Mary’s recovery, as well as her academic achievement. She has made the whole district proud for her outstanding performance. We thank all those who were involved and are continuing to be involved in supporting Mary’s education. Mary will be eternally grateful for your help!”

You can transform lives of underprivileged children by helping kids like Mary Magdalene reach their full potential and contribute to their family and community. No amount is too small or big. Every penny of your support will go into helping children like Mary Magdalene get the necessary materials like texts books, tuition fees, meals and any other needs directly related to education. A gift of USD 100 is enough to provide school supplies for a child with disability for the entire year. Give your gift today here.

Would you like to be involved? Learn more on what you can do here or contact us now to discuss how you can be involved in the FAE’s activities!

Thank You, Australian AID for making it a reality!

posted by admin | Taged as - Children Playgrounds, Education for disabled children, Every One Is Included, inclusive education, Inclusive Playground, Moivaro Playground, Playgrounds For All, right to education, Support Disabled Children, Thanks Australian AID, The Foundation for African Empowerment

29 July 2019 / 0 comments

Inclusive society begins with inclusive education- Australian AID making it a reality! On Monday 17^th June 2019 we had a privilege of receiving a delegation from the Australian High Commission, Nairobi who visited the Moivaro School Special Educational Needs and Disability Inclusive Children Playground funded by the Australian AID through Direct Aid Program.

We cherish the partnership between the Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE) and the Australian AID/Australian High Commission, Nairobi. Many children are now benefiting from this playground. Check out for more here, https://bit.ly/2Yt5r0Q . FAE ensures every penny from donations is put to work in ways that truly benefit the children in need.

FAE has already done a lot of good work since its inception. You can read all about our projects on this website. We thank all our partners for doing their part and count on their support to help us achieve our goals for all children including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our aim for the next five years is to ensure 10000 kids have access to quality inclusive education. Many partners are helping us get there, you can also get involved.

In order to get latest updates on playground project and others, please follow and like us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube. You can also subscribe to our e-newsletter and be the first to get the latest updates from the Foundation for African Empowerment.

Gulf for Good changing children’s lives, join!

posted by admin | Taged as - Donate For Enjoro, Dubai Duty Free, education for all, Emirates NBD, Enjoro School, Gulf For Good, Helping children with disabilities, inclusive education, Kilimanjaro Challenge, KilimanjaroTrekking, Sustainable Development Goal 4, The Foundation for African Empowerment, Visiting Enjoro School

26 July 2019 / 0 comments

The Saturday of 13^th July 2019 was unforgettable day after receiving our heroines and heroes, the Mt Kilimanjaro Challengers from the Gulf For Good who risked their lives to climb the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds for building classrooms at Enjoro maasai school. This is a genuine love for children.

Despite the Challengers’ tiredness, just hours after descending from the #Kilimanjaro, they made a Charity visit at Enjoro Primary School. This was awesome! The voluntary act to serve food to over 823 kids was so touching and it was a true demonstration of compassion, caring, humility and love for kids and commitment to change their lives around the world.

More importantly, your commitment to help in building classrooms and the fun you brought to the kids, kind of ignited life and brought hope inside these kids. The Enjoro school is in dire need of new classrooms. It is impossible to provide quality education when 824 students share 3 complete and 2 semi-complete classrooms. The current ratio is 1:165 while the standard is 1:45. The kindergarten kids sit and write from the bare floor and others study under trees. Watch a video about the school and how you can get involved in helping these beautiful maasai kids, https://bit.ly/2L0Csvf. The Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE) ensures your donations are put to work in ways that truly benefit the children in need.

FAE has already done a lot of good work since its inception. You can read all about our projects on this website. We thank each and every one of you for doing your part and count on your support to help us achieve our goals for all children including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our aim for the next five years is to ensure 10000 kids have access to quality inclusive education. Many partners are helping us get there, you can also get involved.

The Enjoro Primary School Classroom Building Project will be officially launched soon. In order to get latest updates on this project and others, please follow and like us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube. You can also subscribe to our e-newsletter and be the first to get the latest updates from the Foundation for African Empowerment.

Youth are changing the world!

25 July 2017 / 0 comments

Youth are changing the world by participating in community projects

On July 19th, 2017, a team from the Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE) arrived at the Chemka Village to see the progress on the implementation of the Chemka Primary School water project. The project is implemented in partnership with the BAM International, Hai District Council, Chemka Village and the Foundation for African Empowerment. The project is expected to improve dignity and school attendance especially for girl pupils, hygiene and sanitation, health and relieve pupils from carrying 10 to 20 liters of unsafe water to school every day. FAE team was caught by surprise to see six young girls in blue engineer’s coats enthusiastically and actively working alongside the local senior technician, Mr Jumanne Hussen. We immediately became interested to know more about them. When we talked to them this is what we found out:

Their names and ages were Anastazia (20), Mwanaisha, (19), Lailatu (20) Elizabeth (19), Zuena (20). Except one, all of them are residents of the Chemka Village and graduated from the Chemka Primary School. They are all in year one undertaking a three-year certificate course in plumbing and pipe fittings at the Arusha Technical Collage, Kikuletwa Renewable Energy Training Center. The most impressive thing is that all of them were on leave but decided to volunteer in the Chemka Primary School water project so as to gain experience in plumbing and pipe fittings but also to help their community and their former school. They worked under the supervision of Mr Jumanne Hussein, a 59 years old man who is a well-experienced plumber and a resident of Chemka Village. Mr Hussein showed excitement to pass on his knowledge and skills to the young generation in particular girls who are aspiring to reach highest possible levels in the plumbing and pipe fitting profession.

How did you come to know about this water project?

“We saw technicians working and we requested if we could come and learn from the project but also contribute our energy and skills.”

What is your best experience in this project?

“Practical learning of many things and the opportunity granted to us to participate actively in the project.”

If you are given two scenarios, one to volunteer in a water project to connect water to a private firm and another project to connect water to a school, what project would you choose and why?

“We would choose to volunteer in a school water project because we shall be helping students and community.”

When you were students at Chemka Primary School, how was life like?

“There was no water, no descent toilets. But now life is different, one can wash hands ad use water in the toilet. It helps to prevent disease.”

What are your future dreams?

Laila said that to start water projects and distribute water in the villages where there is no water.

Anastazia said that to be employed in big and reputable water firm.

Mwanaisha said that to start my own firm to sell plumbing materials.

Elizabeth said that to start my own business of selling plumbing materials.

Do you think what you are doing in this project is an inspiration to the young students in this primary school?

“Yes, many pupils have come and talked to us. They wish that they could one day wear the engineer’s coats and work like us.”

Where else could you volunteer?

“We could volunteer elsewhere outside the village. However, it could be challenging to get such an opportunity but also it could attract expenses and risks since we are girls. But here, we feel safe, happy and valuable to our village.”

The Foundation for African Empowerment is learning of unintended positive impact of the Chemka Primary School water project. We did not know that the project could be an opportunity for the young college girls to learn and also showcase their knowledge and skills to their fellow local residents. Moreover, their volunteerism spirit was impressive.

The Chemka Primary School Water project will be officially launched on August 2^nd,2017. In order to get latest updates on this project and others, please follow and like us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Gmail+ and Youtube. You can also subscribe to our e-newsletter and be the first to get the latest updates from the Foundation for African Empowerment.