Tabasamu Foundation, Tanzania

Tabasamu means smile and this is literally the first thing which comes to your mind when entering the Tabasamu Orphanage and Childcare Center in the small village of Usa River, near Arusha, Tanzania. Orphanages are associated with sadness and coldness - not so Tabasamu which is full of light, laughter and colors. And this is thanks to David. The 28yr old "village boy" has to be one of the most amazing and inspirational people on earth. Raised in absolute poverty but eager and smart enough to make himself top of the class, turn his life completely around and become a teacher, David decided at the age of 25 to dedicate not only his job and his money but also his personal life completely to the benefit of the less fortunate. He developed a center where street kids get shelter, clothes and food, can play, have certain activities and can develop themselves into smart, young adults. Currently Tabasamu gives new hope to over 25 children who either spend their days at the center or are orphans who have lost their parents because of HIV, poverty or have been abandoned. David uses his own salary he earns as a teacher, to buy basic food, clothes and water for the kids. And even though the children live as happily as if they would live in a castle, there are still so many things needed, David can not pay for by himself.
The rent for the house lies at $160 a month, water costs are at over $3000 for a year. David makes sure that the kids get three meals a day and tries to buy as much fruit and veggies as possible, still the kids’ diet is very basic with not many proteins.
The older kids have to walk a track of almost an hour plus taking two busses every day to get to school.
Tabasamu has a set of swings, but other than that and a few coloring in books and reading books, there's a massive shortage of kids toys.
The "Felista" and "Gift" are the two women who help David every day, wash the kids clothes, cook for the kids and mainly raise the orphan children. Both are unpaid. They are able to live at Tabasamu but neither receive any salary.
These are just a few of many things David needs any financial support for that he can get. Donations will go towards a more balanced diet, invested in new toys, school materials, towards rent, water and electricity bill. David's big dream is to have enough donations that he is able to buy a van so he can drive the kids to school. His biggest goal is to expand Tabasamu, so he can offer shelter to even more orphans and street kids and can build a school within his own walls where he can teach the kids.

I have been met with absolute kindness, generosity, happiness, many smiles and alot of dancing and music since I've been at Tabasamu. David deserves any help he can get, no matter if it's just $5 .. that means he can buy fruit for a week. Finding a person like David in a world full of war and hatred is something very special so let's support him as good as we can.

Thank you!!