Tom and I first started to discuss the idea of taking the kids away somewhere culturally different about a year ago. We wanted to show them a life that was different to ours and to understand the daily challenges faced by families in developing regions.

Luckily, one of Tom's friends and work colleagues Chris, happens to be married to the lovely, Susie, who is the director of Walser’s Tanzania Charity -a small, family-run non-profit founded by her parents, Herta and Alfons Walser. The charity supports the rural community of Ifunda in the Iringa Region of Tanzania through educational sponsorships, clean water projects, health initiatives, and local relief funds.

In Ifunda, many young children walk hours just to get to school- one route we walked took 1.5 hours, a trek children as young as 4 or 5 make daily. On top of that, many walk in shoes that are falling apart or completely ill-fitting.

Ifunda felt like the right place for us to help. We rallied our community and ended up packing 3 massive suitcases filled with shoes, toys, games, footballs, and sports kits!

A huge thank you to everyone who donated- most notable all the parents and kids at St Bart’s (the girls school), who donated, to the Kindell family for all the football kit, and everyone who donated funds for the games we took or who have donated to our just giving page so far.

During our stay, we were welcomed into the local priest hostel, sharing space with Father Raymond, Father Barnabas and 5 seminarians (shout out to Martin, Lamik and Anton) Though we aren't a religious family, we were embraced with open arms and made to feel right at home by the entire community (the local church choir that we heard when we attended the Sunday mass and also practicing daily outside the hostel was like attending a concert and would be enough to make me attend every week!) 

Our donations of shoes were so gratefully received by those most in need (I wished we had more, it was so hard to see those who missed out!!) and many of the toys and games were donated to various local schools who have nothing in their classrooms except tables and chairs. 

While visiting schools to give out the donations , Tom and the girls ran some basic English lessons as well as some games and activities with the kids (who mostly wanted to cuddle Emma and stroke her hair 😄)

As well as helping with a couple of the school visits, I spent time at the local health center running physiotherapy clinics for patients who otherwise travel hours for care, while also supporting with training sessions for the health centre staff and I plan to send some more information and resources when I get home, now I know what is needed.

It was such a fantastic couple of weeks and we hope we made even a small difference in a few people's lives. I don't think I have ever travelled anywhere that people just want to stop you in the streets to say "Karibu" (Welcome) to Tanzania (as well as to coo over Emma!) - genuinely happy that you have visited their community.

But our work isn't done yet!

We are currently raising funds to directly support the students and schools in Ifunda. So, apologies for putting out another fundraising plea, but for less than the cost of a single G&T in London, look at what your support could provide:

£9 = 1 Solar light (allowing students to study safely after dark)

£15 = 1 Classroom bench for local tuition classes

£50 = 1 Bicycle (cutting down hours of walking for students)

Mattresses & Blankets to provide basic comfort for boarding students (£12 /£14 per item)

Funding for Computer Access in local classrooms

If you are able to support, even the smallest amount makes a life-changing difference.