Send Kelvin (aka Alpha) to school!

U P D A T E 
 
Please take a moment to read.

Finally the moment has arrived! Kelvin is preparing to begin he A Level studies at Edmund Rice Sinon secondary school, Arusha, Tanzania. He absolutely BOSSED his GCSE exams (all As, Bs and one C) and he has chosen to study History, Swahili, English, Business and Civics at A level.

I have been keenly awaiting this moment for a long time – as I am sure many donors have – but have had to remind myself of Africa Time, where almost every sentence includes the phrase ‘pole pole’ – slowly slowly and ‘taratibu’ – take it easy. In the meantime Kelvin has been playing and performing music with the well known Tanzanian reggae band the Warriors from the East, as well as enjoying some well-deserved down time!

We have been waiting to find the right college which is close enough to Arusha. Now we have done this, we just need to send through fees and make sure that Kelvin has enough clothes and stationery to last the year. My amazing dad swam the Great North Swim last year, and raised enough for this year’s fees (thanks Dad!), but we are looking ahead to next year, and beyond. Please, please, please dig deep if you can.

This is such an amazing cause. Kelvin has gone from a child living on the streets of Arusha, to an eloquent, intelligent, motivated and accomplished young man. Every single penny you donate pays for either school fees, transport, or clothing. There is no middle man. During a recent phone conversation, he said ‘thank you so much dada (sister), and to everyone who has helped. I don’t know where I would be without it’







S T O R Y 




Kelvin was found on the streets of Arusha, Tanzania. We met him whilst working with a music and art centre over July and August 2013. 



Since then - with help from friends and family - I've fundraised to send him to a fantastic school just outside Arusha: Usa River Academy.

Kelvin helped us so much during our visit to the centre. He is a bright and talented young boy who is brimming with enthusiasm to learn, but was, unfortunately, born on the wrong side of the poverty line.

He was so keen to pick up English that he made himself a text book by collecting old homework from children he knows who are still in education. His English improved massively whilst we were there, and Layla taught him some guitar. Not only is he musical and bright, but he is an incredible gymnast!


Kelvin told us he had been homeless for the last six months.
He was 14 years old from a town not far from Arusha and was made homeless due to poverty in his family, who could no longer afford to support him.

The Tanzanian government provide a basic education (equivalent to primary education) but secondary education is costly and Kelvin has no money.

We promised him we would do everything we can to get him to school. This is a long-term fund-raising initiative. The school, Usa Academy School (located just a short drive from Arusha) is an English Medium school, and Kelvin is boarding there.

The boarding fees are £800 per annum,  plus a yearly budget of £100/£200 for school trips and essentials such as clothes, stationary and bedsheets makes an annual total of £900 - £1000

This website co-exists alongside community fundraising efforts. Most of this will consist of cake sales and busking. If you have any bright ideas about how we can get this money together please do let us know! Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

We want to keep this fundraising initiative going for as long as possible, to fund Kelvin's education so that he can fulfil his enormous potential - ideally beyond school and through higher education!

Kelvin was found by the Jah People Centre for Music and Art, a non-profit start up which we visited this summer. They aim to become ecologically sustainable whilst teaching local children the traditional music and art skills that are no longer provided on the school syllabus. With the ultimate goal of raising African youths out of poverty and providing them with skills for later in their life they teach a range of things including; drum making/playing, jewellery, Ital cooking, tending to livestock and horticulture skills. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/jahpeoplescentreformusicandart

or
contact Alistair Hall: 
[email redacted]

I understand the minimum you can donate on here is £5. If you'd like to donate less (even pennies add up) either give it to me, Leo or Layla, or email me and I will send account details to transfer to.

If you have any questions about the fund-raising please email me:

[email redacted].uk

Alternatively if you have any technology you no longer use such as phones or laptops we can put these to good use at the centre or sell them in Tanzania to raise funds