Hello friends, family, and strangers. COVID-19 has done a fine job of dismantling life as we knew it. Most everyone is stretched wire-thin right now, and I don't know a single person who feels confident about the future. That is primarily why I feel rather uncomfortable about making the request I am about to make.  My last visit to the East African country of Tanzania was six years ago. At that point, through the touching effort of the community, we had fundraised enough money to put sweet Daines and Tobias in boarding school in order to amplify their opportunities for success via a high-quality education. Six years later, Daines and Tobias are still in school and doing extremely well according to photos and reports. I received a distressing response to an inquiry email about the children's health during COVID-19 from the principal of Intel School, Ester Alexander. In short, the schools in Tanzania are closed and many parents are out of jobs. Ester is preparing educational materials for the children, which are delivered to their homes, but even the teachers are not being paid and children are "starving with their families". Obviously, education is important, but food comes above all else. For that reason, I am asking for a contribution to feed the students and families associated with Intel School and Errat Care Centre. These are two schools at which I personally worked. Intel is the private school Tobias and Daines attend, which normally houses many sponsored children, while Errat is the public school where I originally connected with them while teaching. I am in communication with both principals, Ester Aexander and Teddy Mwenda, who are  hard-working community leaders who dedicate so much time and energy into their community. The money will be sent directly to these leaders who will in-turn purchase food to be distributed to families.  Even the smallest donation can make such a difference. If you can only donate ten dollars, that is multiple meals for one person, so just think of that! As families are hungry now, I am beginning this fundraiser immediately and it will end in a week so that I may send the money immediately to get the children fed. After, I will create another GoFundMe to further support the families through the COVID-19 epidemic, so if you feel drawn to this cause, please keep an eye out, or even like the Boarders over Borders Facebook page , which I update periodically when I receive substantial news about the children. You will find updates posted there over the next few weeks. Thank you so much for your love and compassion. If you cannot donate at this time, it is very understandable, and I just ask that you share this page with others who may be better able to contribute financially at this time. Thank you so very much. My warmest wishes to you all. Madeline Gerlach