Building Tanzania's Women's Shelter

Barbara Kolvek is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, I’m Barbara! I'm traveling to Tanzania in October 2022 to help the town of Arusha build a women's shelter! I'm raising funds to support the build, materials, equipment, and local labour.

The shelter will be a place of empowerment. Women often remain in abusive relationships because they have nowhere to go or no means to support themselves economically. The shelter will teach women skills (agriculture, entrepreneurship) they can take back to their community to earn income independently. Women who earn income in Tanzania are more likely to invest it in their children's education.

By building a physical structure, we aim to create a positive feedback loop of women supporting women and children having more opportunities for their future.

I (selfishly) enjoy helping others, and I say selfishly because it just feels gosh darn good to help. So volunteering and donating seems to be a bit of a selfish act but hey, why not make yourself feel good eh?

So, here's the important stuff:

In 2015, the first women’s shelter was built in Tanzania for women and children fleeing violence and abuse.
In 2019, UGO Travel Impact partnered with Dare Women's Foundation, a Tanzanian NGO, to build a fence around a plot of land to create security for the community of Arusha.
In Fall 2022, Dare Women’s Foundation aims to build a women's shelter on that land with the help of generous volunteers once again from UGO Travel Impact

Watch Maggie, the Founder of Dare Women's Foundation, share her story of escaping abuse, and the impact volunteers have had on the foundation's goals

Stats from April 5, 2022 state 40% of all women aged 15-49 years in Tanzania have experienced physical violence. Of women aged 15-49, 44% have experienced either physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. Spousal violence prevalence is highest in rural areas, averaging 52%, while the prevalence in urban areas averages 45%. Almost 30% of girls experience sexual violence before the age of 18.
In a country where violence against women is rampant, the availability of a safe space for women and children fleeing abuse is life-changing.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to help out. I am self-funding my travels - don't worry, you are not paying for my plane ride over there by donating :)

If you cannot donate, a share is most welcome and appreciated, thank you, thank you, thank you!