We are the Mlangarini Project, a small non-profit dedicated to the of the well-being of the school and lives of the small community of Mlangarini. The 501 c (3) non-profit was founded in 2011 by Olivia Leventhal after having traveled to Mlangarini, Tanzania to help build a classroom with fellow high school students. After living there for five weeks, and upon return to Los Angeles, Olivia decided she wanted to do more for the village of Mlangarini and continued to help build up the school and community. The Mlangarini project came to be a reality and a success.

We have returned to Mlangarini yearly for the past 5 years. We bring clothes,  first aid kits, books and other school supplies that are not available in the self-sustainable farming village of Mlangarini. To help the local economy we collaborate hands-on in constructing the school, making improvements to facilities,building desks and working with local tailors to provide school uniforms and shoes for the students.
Last year we brought the school swingset parts and installed their first  swing set. This was an incredible experience for the children and for us. This was their first time playing in this kind of playground. The swing set  was something really simple that brought them so much joy. We collaborated in the setup of the swings with school teachers and a local welder. The set allowed for 4 children to play at the same time; these swings were shared between 600 students. After returning to Los Angeles we thought it would be so easy and such a great gift if we could send them additional swing parts so that they could accomodate more kids at the same time.  In August 2015 we sent the school in Mlangarini 12 more swing connector parts via International Fed Ex. This is the part that allows the swing actin to go back and forth. The swingset had been built to accomidate these parts and they childern were anticipating more swings.

Everyone at the village of Mlangarini eagerly awaited the new swing parts to arrive. After 1 month when the 4 packages had not arrived we began making phone calls to Fed Ex, trying to find the 4 packages. For several months we worked through issues with Fed Ex, one lost swing connector, or one lost package, and no delivery of the parts. Later on were sent several bills for unexpected storage fees. Fed Ex even withheld the delivery of the swing part packages for over 6 months because 1 of the  4 packages was missing. they would not deliver the 3 they had.. When the 4 packages were said to be found they were the wrong packages, and no swing parts were ever delivered. After over sixty hours on the phone the swing part file was closed by Fed Ex  because they claimed they delivered the packages. We were left with erroneous bills of $357 for storage, $657 for shipping, and multiple customs bills on the Tanzania end. Fed Ex claims to be a socially responsible company with a charitable shipping service program but they did not seek to help us even after agreed understanding of the situation.

As a small non-profit we donate our time and efforts to make all of this possible. Our funders are individuals and not corporations; Mlangarini Project exists because we have a real connection with individuals, and we are invested in a long term plan. It was a huge disappointment and shock when Fed Ex said they would not help us any longer and we were stuck with a bill. Mlangarini never received their swingset parts, which they expected and were waiting for , for almost a year.   

We are asking for help to be able to purchase new swing set parts, which we are brining to the school this summer.  As we have lost support from one of our major funders, and because of unexpected fees accrued this year, we also ask for additional support to be able to expand thier playground. The swing parts, undelivered by Fed Ex this past year cost us $750. The delays and difficulties of Fed Ex has made us realize it is essential to connect face to face, as real change can happen only by actively being present .  During our stay in Mlangarini we will also build a jungle gym  and monkey bars. In total we ask for $2,500 to help us complete and expand the playground we started last year.
Because of our budget cuts we do not know if we will be able to return for a few years to  Tanzania,so we need to complete as much possible on this trip.

Support is really essential at this time as we have had to overcome several obstacles this year. With the combined efforts of Mlangarini Project and the local community we hope to be able to provide happiness and well-being to every child and student.

Please visit our website to learn more about our non-profit and how to help Mlangarini: 
http://www.mlangariniproject.org/