Hands in for Huruma
Robyne and Kate met in 2017 while volunteering at Huruma Orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania. We are returning in December 2018 to install water in Huruma Orphanage.
Our time in Tanzania taught us that the world does not need any more unskilled and untrained volunteers. It was a shock to realize that no matter how good our intentions were, being a part of the voluntourism industry does more harm than it does good. This is not to say our time in Tanzania has not had a significant effect on who we are today. It was a trip that shaped the way we think of the world.
Sceptics of international aid work criticize 'throwing money at the problem,’ but the real problem is NGOs that claim to be doing good work while secretly operating as a profiteering business. What is clear to us now is that no amount of inexperienced volunteers can have as great of an impact as money can.
Donating to our project means donating straight to the cause, free of any administrative or hidden costs. Our main reason for going back to Arusha is to ensure that all money raised goes towards the installation of water to Huruma Orphanage. We guarantee your donation will directly benefit the orphanage. Any additional funds will be used to build a second pit toilet. Our initial aim was to dig a well, but after receiving a quote of $45,000USD we began looking into less costly options. We have since decided to connect the orphanage to the city council water pipeline. We discovered that if we could install guttering and purchase large sim tanks, this would be a much more efficient use of money and would only require a small ongoing cost of approximately $30USD per month.
Life is harsh for the kids living at Huruma Orphanage. The first day I spent at the orphanage the director said that the dry season was really tough on the kids, but the wet season was much worse. No child should live without access to clean water.
Huruma Orphanage was established by Tanzanian locals Eusebia and Johanna in 2012. The orphanage currently cares for 21 children between the ages of 4 to 15. The main obstacle that Huruma faces is access to water, which is a challenge for many communities outside of Arusha. We have recently hired a professional surveyor and received a quote for $10,000USD to cover the followings costs:
1. 850 metres of pipeline
2. City council costs to connect to the main pipeline in Moshono
3. Manual labour costs to install pipeline and tanks
4. Sim tanks
5. Guttering
6. Monthly fee from city council
The reason Huruma Orphanage stands out so much to us is because of it's capacity to become self sufficient. We are confident that providing Huruma with financial support now will empower the next generation to become completely self sufficient. Please find more information here.
Kate is very excited to have entered into a project partnership with her old high school, Blue Mountains Grammar School. BMGS has agreed to provide fundraising opportunities and help support Huruma. It is our hope that other organizations in Australia and Canada will take up similar opportunities.
We appreciate all and any support. If you're unable to contribute at this time, please consider sharing our campaign. If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact Robyne or Kate. We would love to hear from you.
