Our mission is to help the children in the small town of Morogoro, Tanzania. In Morogoro, it is estimated that 400 orphans are living in streets. AIDS and poverty are the major causes of street children, as the parents either die or lack the ability to feed themselves, let alone their children. Street children lack clean water, food, sanitation and protection from their families and community, and they are abandoned and discriminated against. They survive by engaging in activities such as child labor, scavenging for food, drug trafficking and theft. They lack basic needs and as a result they have ill health -- they are faced with skin diseases, bilharzias, malnutrition, and typhoid fever. In many cases, they are forced into prostitution, where the risk of both pregnancy and HIV is rampant. These are children - a child, regardless of their environment or social status, should never be exposed to anything that hurts them physically, psychologically, or anything that strips them of that childhood innocence that we so very much value in our own children.
Some current facts:
28 million children die from easily cured diseases each year
17 million die from malnutrition each year
10 million children are involved in the sex industry
200 million children are child laborers
1.4 million under the age of 15 are living with HIV
By supporting these kids, we are making steps to change their future. A small donation can keep these children from being a statistic.
$6 a month – Protects a child from abuse and exploitation
$64 – Enables an orphaned child to go to school
$165 – Provides skilled trades (mechanics, plumbing, computers, etc.) for 3 children
In October, I will be taking a journey to this small town in Tanzania, to see firsthand how our efforts are helping the children who so desperately need health care, education, and proper living conditions in which they can grow up with the chance to realize their dreams and potential.
Link to Charity Site:
http://www.ict-uk.org/about_home.html
Why did I sign up with CycleTanzania?
I signed up with Cycle Tanzania for the free t-shirt. Just kidding. I think it's very important that we do everything we can to help the children of this world. I know, I know, it sounds really Sally Struther-ish, but in reality many children around the world need as much help as they can get, and I feel that regardless of any situation, every child should have a chance to be able to live a good, healthy life and to realize his/her potential in this world.
More about me:
I am a designer, developer, art director, photographer, gamer, and a part-time sock whisperer. I was born and raised in Chicago, and enjoy creating and searching for good design in any area or industry, whether it be in advertising, websites, film, product design or video games. Luckily for me, my hobbies have transformed nicely into a fairly challenging and enjoyable career. I enjoy the outdoors, usually wandering around aimlessly with my camera looking for interesting shots, people, and/or momentary adventures. I am imaginative, creative, and incredibly impulsive, and that really drives me in doing the things I do to keep life interesting and unpredictable.
