Smiles To Tanzania as a charity hold a close connection to my heart, but even more so the founders do - My Grandparents! 

Why I support this charity:

As a result of 3 previous visits to Ukerewe Island, Tanzania, with Rotary International where they were supporting the local community. My Grandparents saw how many disadvantaged and orphaned children there were who were unable to attend school due to not having a school uniform. 

In 2012 they decided something more needed to be done and Smiles To Tanzania was formed where they began working with a local Non Government Organisation called Lake Victoria Children. Whilst working with them they have supplied School Uniforms, Exercise Books, Pens and Pencils. To date, supplying more than 3500 sets of uniforms!! Allowing 3500 more children back in school! That is incredible! 

They have also financed the purchase of Solar Lights to replace traditionally used Kerosene lamps in homes without electricity. Solar lights allow children to do their homework and provide a cheaper source of light for families. To date, there have been 5564 solar lights provided!! Another incredible achievement! 

Finally, the Charity also work towards financing Medical Care for children from disadvantaged families. Funds go towards transport to and from hospital, treatment costs, accommodation for the child and their parent/guardian where needed, as well as towards food. There are some children from satellite islands who have benefitted from this funding and some who receive ongoing treatment due to complexities of their illness.  

In 2014, I decided I wanted to see exactly where it was I had heard so much about, so I went out to Ukerewe Island with them for a month as a self funded volunteer trip. This for me this was an opportunity to understand what they were working towards and to put a picture to all the stories I had heard, it was also a chance for me to grow as a person and experience different cultures. I met so many people who were very welcoming and spent days with the children in the pre-school centre watching them learning and playing, and to see how happy they were and how unknowing they were of stark contrast between their life and mine was very much a shock to me. I went out further a field and was shown the way of living and heard stories about how many hours people had to walk to the nearest hospital and I visited a school where some children had been helped by the funding already. This trip for me changed the way I thought about things, and I am forever grateful for everything I have. While I was there I was personally able to donate food and blankets to a family who remain in my memories even now. A small offering but it made a big difference to them. 

Fast forward to this year when I decided to sign up for the 'Kilimanjaro - The long way round' Trek lead by Evertrek UK - This is a self funded trip which I was pursuing for personal reasons, and realised this would be a great opportunity to raise funds to help the Charity! My Grandparents have worked tirelessly since they started in 2012 and never fail in their endeavour to do more. They are always seeking new ways they can raise funds and how they can use them to support the people on the Island.

I have watched them (from afar! ) throughout the pandemic, and regardless of this, in addition to their own health issues they have continued to push through and maintain support for the Island. I am so proud of them, I can't even put it into words! <3 I am aiming to raise a minimum of £1000 towards Smiles To Tanzania, which would make a huge difference in the amount of uniforms, school equipment and medical support the charity could offer and would hopefully give them a short amount of time to wind down from the past year (although I know them well enough to know they wouldn't stop to take a break anyway!)

Any donations are gratefully received and please don't forget about gift aid!

Thanks for reading and spread the word!