Initiatives
Compass School
Compass School is a school for orphans and refugees aged 5 to 17, grades 1 through 6, located in Thogoto just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Compass relies on donations and income generating projects to function.
In the past, Tumaini Afrika has provided funds to help rebuild a chicken coop, purchase chickens, expand the vegetable garden, provide meals and employ a sewing teacher/social worker. The purchase of a generator and wiring enabling lights in the classrooms during the dark rainy season had been greatly appreciated. We have also supplied school supplies and textbooks, refurbished tablets and laptops, toothbrushes and paste, soccer uniforms, and clothing, including pillow case dresses.
While visiting the school we have taught lessons, painted walls and floors, repaired desks and sweaters and handed out feminine hygiene kits. The girls were thrilled to get underwear as well as reusable sanitary products so that they are able to attend school every day.
The absence of feminine hygiene supplies causes girls worldwide to miss up to 2 months of education and opportunity every year.
One of our members also organized a medical clinic with a doctor friend from the UK. Each child was assessed and given treatment or taken to a clinic if needed.
A New School
In late 2023, notice was given to Compass School that the land on which it sat would revert to the county within weeks. A plan was quickly put in place. The existing buildings were demolished. Usable materials were recovered. Workers were hired. New materials were purchased. A new school came into being over the next several months on land that is owned by the Compass Foundation. All this was accomplished before the students returned for the new school year in January 2024 after their break. The children and staff are all very grateful for their new school which, in so many ways, is more suitable than the building they left. There is still a stone block building on the property, built with funds from Tumaini Afrika SSM. This building is not yet finished, and discussions are under way for the completion. This will provide additional classrooms and work areas.
Goats, Goats
and more Goats
Thanks to Tumaini Afrika member, Sheena Smith, and so many Tumaini Afrika supporters, we have been able to purchase over 600 goats for girls in Kenya over the past few years! At $50.00 each, 100% of the funds go towards the cost of the goats.
Goats as livestock help improve lives. Goats can be milked, breed easily, and take up little space. Selling or trading the goat milk helps financially. Eventually the goats may become a nutritious meal.
Purchasing a goat for a Kenyan girl is a great gift for the Canadian who has everything. They are a gift that keeps on giving, a gift of "hope!"
Gift cards are available for all donators to send to their recipients
Other Initiatives
Sponsorships
Students must pay to attend school in Kenya. They are required to have a school uniform as well as textbooks and school supplies. If the family has no money the child cannot attend school. Although Tumaini Afrika deals only with helping large groups of children, many of its members and some of their friends sponsor needy students. If you and/or some of your friends are interested in sponsoring a child to attend school, please contact us for further information.
Namuncha Maasai Village
Namuncha is a Maasai Village in rural Kenya currently attempting to grow their schools so more children in the area may gain an advanced education. At their request, TA assisted in acquiring funds to build a fence (complete with barbed wire) to surround the school, thereby keeping the children safe from predatory African wildlife, as well as keeping out local cattle which eat the produce grown in the gardens that are a part of the Agriculture programs. Funds for this fence and some needed textbooks were donated by J.J. and Donna Hilsinger. A water tank was also needed and was provided by a grant from the Retired Teachers of Ontario. Many girls benefitted from a much appreciated gift of a goat, with funds sent by donors in Sault Ste Marie. Feminine hygiene kits were handed out to appreciative girls who also received, at Namuncha officials’ request, sexual education information.
Mathare Community Outreach
We raised and sent funds for new kitchens, classrooms and repairs to the orphanage, and for goats. Feminine hygiene kits were distributed, TA members were invited to teach a variety of lessons from Geography to Music and Art to students, and professional development sessions were held with school staff.
Heshima Children & Center (Heshima = Dignity)
In Kenya, there are few services that deal with children with special needs. These children either stay at home locked away due to public shame or they go to school without extra help. Heshima offers a free service to special needs kids who live in a small slum in Nairobi. We have donated a children’s wheelchair, school supplies and musical instruments. TA members taught some classes while there.
County Girls Caucus
A forum for developing leadership, mentorship and life skills, developed by our friend, Mary Thamari, these workshops are in schools in rural communities to stem the influx of women into the slums in Nairobi. We helped fund these caucuses with support from the Zonta Club of Sault Ste. Marie and area.