Please support Matonyok Children's Home, Tanzania

Matonyok Children’s Home – Arusha, Tanzania (Orphanage & Primary School)(Matonyok in Swahili means “make the effort"). Matonyok was founded by a Maasai named Emmy Sitayo. In the early 1970s, she was the only girl in her village to receive an education. She went on to become a nurse and worked with children with special needs. As a result of her work and seeing children being ‘left behind/abandoned’ due to their disabilities she started ‘bringing them home’ – where she had a husband and young children of her own. Emmy then went on to set up an orphanage and day school for local children. 

Mission:To ensure disabled orphans, street children and children from difficult circumstances enjoy a full and decent life. We believe every child should be given the opportunity to achieve a greater degree of self - reliance and social integration in a dignified manner. 

Edel’s Story 

I first visited the orphanage in Sept 2018 and was so touched and full of admiration for Emmy & Ndemno (husband) and the work they do, I decided to raise funds on their behalf. Their dream is to build a dormitory for 50 Maasai girls to provide them with an education (the Maasai life can be extremely tough, with no opportunity to receive an education). My next visit April 2019 and with cash donations from a birthday fundraiser, I organised a new roof (ceilings destroyed from leakages), new concrete floors (originals made of clay & full of cracks, was told snakes/scorpions come up through them), new ceilings in main sitting room & girls bedroom. Both areas were painted & electrics upgraded. Still lots of work to be done to make life a little more comfortable for the children.During Nov19 trip organised:- Upgrade of the boy’s bedroom including concrete floor, painting and decorating. Installed two indoor toilets in the main building (so the girls don’t have to go outside at night-time)- provided dining tables & chairs – the children currently eat off their laps- Provided some recreational materials for the children to play with outside – they currently only have an old two seater swing, one of which was broken (April 2019). My first ‘job’ was to replace this seat with an old tyre and rope! - Provided educational equipment for the 2 classrooms on site- Organised someone local to assist in the running of their website and Facebook pages to ensure maximum coverage for the charity. - Assisted is the production of information leaflets- Had shelves and storage built in bedrooms and kitchen area.

April 20 trip cancelled due to Covid so arranged from home (Oct20) for the upgrade of the Volunteer House – this ‘stand alone’ building has two bedrooms with shower/toilet facilities – these were replaced & tiling completed- had solar panels installed to provide hot water for cooking, washing & HOT showers.  

Was fortunate to return 6 Dec 20 for 2 weeks....bought new mattresses for all & sponsored 7 children to attend school.

Nov 2021

Sponsored 21 children to attend school in 2022. Purchased pillows/cases, bed sheets. Funded building of room for new washing machine. New swings erected.

Sept22

This visit bought new blankets, sheets, p/cases. Had all classrooms & bedrooms in Volunteer House painted, along with swings & climbing frame. 

Visited July23 & Dec23

May24 Next scheduled visit 

FUTURE PROJECTS- Provide desks and chairs for classrooms.- Build a perimeter wall (concrete) around the orphanage/school for security purposes. 

STUDENT SPONSORSHIP   

US $ 900 Boarding Primary School      

     700 Boarding Secondary School

     300 Secondary Day School   

     300 Primary Day School           

     200 kindergarten 

NOTE:All monies raised goes directly to the Orphanage & School. I personally cover the costs of my flights, accommodation and daily expenses while visiting Tanzania - Edel Thank you to all sponsors

 'Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world’ (Nelson Mandela)