On March 18th I’m going to Mafinga, on the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, to volunteer at the ‘Kindergarten of Joy’ for a month.

The ‘Kindergarten of Joy’ was created by Mr Albert Kahai in 2016 for children between 2 and 5 years old. In this part of the world, the costs of education, such as the costs of uniform and fees, exclude the poorest children and contribute to higher drop-out and absenteeism rates. Furthermore, the existing infrastucture is not sufficient for quality education.

With the money the kindergarten gets from the fee paying pupils, one goal is to have more classes to be able to welcome children from the streets - orphans and/or those abandoned by their parents - and give them the opportunity to learn in a proper environment.

The kindergarten started in two tiny and uncomfortable rented rooms in a house that was shared with the landlord. The number of children coming to learn grew rapidly from 6 to 29 which made the class chaotic and incredibly difficult for teachers to do their job.

Since launching their fundraising site, people from across the world have come to their aid, making it possible to move to a new, bigger rental property. Recently, they have raised enough funds to buy a plot of land, but now further funds are needed to build classrooms.

$100, (about £75), will buy a truckload of bricks and they need 10 truckloads to realise their goal. I will be funding myself to get out there and for any living costs whilst I’m out there, so all donations will go directly to the kindergarten. My aim is to raise £200, which will contribute massively and change the lives of so many children, giving them access to an education they may not otherwise have, something which we take for granted in the UK. Any donations towards this incredibly worthwhile cause would be so gratefully received.Thank you!