A. Hope for the Future
Hope for the Future Founder and Director: (www.hopeforthefuturetanzania.com)
Sharmala Buell was born and raised in Sri Lanka. On a trip to Canada in 1983, she found herself unable to return to her homeland due to the outbreak of civil war. A trained Montessori teacher, she took a job teaching in the Canadian North. In the late 1990’s she felt God calling her to the mission field in Africa. Over the next three years, through a set of circumstances only God could orchestrate, Sharmala was moved and equipped for the work God had prepared for her in Mbeya, Tanzania. Upon arrival in 2001, she was invited to visit the Remand Home for children. What she witnessed there ignited the vision of Hope for the Future Ministries.
Like many regions of Africa, the poverty stricken areas of Mbeya, Tanzania, are home to children experiencing life’s biggest challenges. Often orphaned, usually co-existing in one room with several other siblings and kin, these children receive only one meal a day. The head of the household ekes out a living perhaps from a small plot nearby, selling a few vegetables, or possibly by making and selling sweets or the local pombe (homebrew). Alcoholism, prostitution and drug abuse are prevalent, as is AIDS.
Young girls are left at home to care for the younger children. The boys are left to their own devices, too often forsaking school for the chance to “find” food or “earn” money on the streets through stealing and gambling. If caught by the authorities, they are sent to a Remand Home where they sit and wait for their trial. If not, they easily fall into a life of crime. There are services available to help the girls and boys who present as “good” children, but for those who are labeled “bad”, there are no avenues for help. They are regarded as Watukutu (scum of society).
In response to these circumstances, Sharmala founded Hope for the Future Ministries in 2002 with the following mandate:
Mission Statement:
To identify and address physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of the children and youth who are affected by poverty and the fallout of HIV/AIDS in the city of Mbeya, Tanzania.
Young girls are left at home to care for the younger children. The boys are left to their own devices, too often forsaking school for the chance to “find” food or “earn” money on the streets through stealing and gambling. If caught by the authorities, they are sent to a Remand Home where they sit and wait for their trial. If not, they easily fall into a life of crime. There are services available to help the girls and boys who present as “good” children, but for those who are labeled “bad”, there are no avenues for help. They are regarded as Watukutu (scum of society).
In response to these circumstances, Sharmala founded Hope for the Future Ministries in 2002 with the following mandate:
Mission Statement:
To identify and address physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of the children and youth who are affected by poverty and the fallout of HIV/AIDS in the city of Mbeya, Tanzania.
Our Mission:
The Inner City Program
The need for structured, meaningful activity for the unsupervised children on the streets prompted Hope for the Future Ministries to start a program in a temporary structure beside a church in 2004.
Here the children from the surrounding area of Nonde were invited to come and play, learn and eat, receiving nourishment for their body, soul and spirit.
Over the years the number of children in attendance has continued to grow and in 2009, a facility with a good outdoor play area and running water became the new home to the Inner City Program.
The Hope For The Future Foundation is split into different categories, we are aiming at raising funds for one specific area, the Inner-city Program.
There are approx. 125 children involved in the Inner-city Program that need assistance.
Through the Inner City Program, specific individual needs for "medical care, school fees, school uniforms, hair-cuts, warm clothing", are identified and addressed.
This program has two components – the Breakfast Program and the After-school Program.The latter operates two days a week. With a staff of committed and caring local people, often assisted by visiting volunteers, the children are given the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities such as soccer, gymnastics, sand play, and indoor activities such as board games and puzzles, drawing and crafts.
To nurture understanding of the world around them the staff and children are encouraged to look at books and magazines together. Sharmala, or her assistant Leonard, lead a song and story time and the children listen to the lessons of life through Bible Stories. At the end of the program, a much anticipated nutritious meal is served.
Here the children from the surrounding area of Nonde were invited to come and play, learn and eat, receiving nourishment for their body, soul and spirit.
Over the years the number of children in attendance has continued to grow and in 2009, a facility with a good outdoor play area and running water became the new home to the Inner City Program.
The Hope For The Future Foundation is split into different categories, we are aiming at raising funds for one specific area, the Inner-city Program.
There are approx. 125 children involved in the Inner-city Program that need assistance.
Through the Inner City Program, specific individual needs for "medical care, school fees, school uniforms, hair-cuts, warm clothing", are identified and addressed.
This program has two components – the Breakfast Program and the After-school Program.The latter operates two days a week. With a staff of committed and caring local people, often assisted by visiting volunteers, the children are given the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities such as soccer, gymnastics, sand play, and indoor activities such as board games and puzzles, drawing and crafts.
To nurture understanding of the world around them the staff and children are encouraged to look at books and magazines together. Sharmala, or her assistant Leonard, lead a song and story time and the children listen to the lessons of life through Bible Stories. At the end of the program, a much anticipated nutritious meal is served.
Charity Registration Information:
Canadian registration: Charity number 817250459RR0001
Tanzanian registration: Charity number
B. All Angels School
The All Angels School is a primary school located in the village of Salima, Lake Malawi.
With help from various well-wishers, the school has progressed from pole and dagga classrooms and unqualified teachers 5 years ago, to a school of 8 classrooms with qualified teachers and 600 pupils.
The school is urgently trying to raise funds to purchase land to construct teachers houses. The plot of land has been located and with your help they can raise the necessary K500 000.
With help from various well-wishers, the school has progressed from pole and dagga classrooms and unqualified teachers 5 years ago, to a school of 8 classrooms with qualified teachers and 600 pupils.
The school is urgently trying to raise funds to purchase land to construct teachers houses. The plot of land has been located and with your help they can raise the necessary K500 000.