An interim report
Almost ten years have passed since the “Straßenkinder Tansania e.V.” association was founded and began providing aid.
In full compliance with the terms of its statutes, the association has also supported the construction of a new kindergarten in Iambi (near Singida in central Tanzania) and the construction of rainwater collection facilities in the Upendo home in Singida. However, the vast majority of the aid goes to the home for street children in Kititimo, a suburb of the city of Singida.
Although the children have permanent accommodation there, the association will carry out urgent repairs this year. In January of this year, just before the start of the short rainy season, the rainwater collection system financed by the association was repaired and an open manhole was fitted with a solid cover for safety reasons.
The caretakers of the Kititimo children, i.e. the house mother, the cook and the night watchman, receive a monthly financial compensation from the association. The Tanzanian minimum wage requirements for such tasks are strictly adhered to. An additional caregiver, ideally a male social worker, would be desirable. The association is looking into how someone could be recruited for one day a week.
Since the association began supporting the Kititimo Children’s Center, all the children have been attending school. It is pleasing to note that so far all of the children who have completed the seven-grade elementary school have acquired the right to attend secondary school, which is usually completed after a further four years.
The association also supports secondary school attendance; it pays the school fees and the cost of compulsory school uniforms. These successes show the economic damage that would be caused if children’s talents remained unused because they did not receive a school education. School education alone is not enough to give children a start to a self-determined and successful life. This can only be achieved if they also receive vocational training. This also prevents the risk of slipping into crime or prostitution.
At the moment, seven young men are undergoing vocational training, three as plumbers, two as bricklayers, one is attending a school for public administration and one young woman has started an apprenticeship as a tailor.
In Tanzania, there is nothing comparable to the dual training system here in Germany for the traditional trades. Instead, vocational training takes place in mostly state-run training centers. Fees are charged for the training, which also cover the costs of accommodation and meals at the training centers. These fees are paid by the association.
As there is hardly any dependent employment in Tanzania, craftsmen work as self-employed sole traders. The association would therefore like to provide the trainees with start-up equipment and tools once they have completed their apprenticeship. It will then stop supporting the young people and release them into life. The association will then have achieved all its goals.
In the first quarter of this year, a boy from the Kititimo Children’s Center fell ill. His eyesight had deteriorated rapidly. There was a suspicion of a brain tumor or a brain hemorrhage. The association covered the costs of in-depth examinations at a specialist clinic in Dar es Salaam. Fortunately, the suspicion was not confirmed. Instead, the boy was diagnosed with optic neuropathy, which was treated with medication. The boy was also given glasses. He is now able to participate fully in school lessons again.
Ensuring medical care for the children is also a declared goal of the association. The association has kept an eye on its goals and achieved a great deal. But as long as street children are housed in Kititimo, its help will continue to be as necessary as ever.
H. Masztalerz
Chairman
03.09.2013
