Friends of Amani Tanzania (UK Registered Charity 1114281) Welcomes You
The Tailoring Project
Sponsored by a grant from the Park Family Charitable Trust and supported by FOAT, this project began in January 2019 with a total of 17 students with disabilities from the Amani Community in and around Chamwino. The Tailoring Project gave these students a skill they can use to earn an income for their families.
The initial funding was for seven months. After this time, three of the students learned basic tailoring skills and, with limited support from their teacher, could make clothes and uniforms to sell in the local market. In August 2019, Trustees Bridget and Leslie Green were on hand to congratulate them on their success on reaching a key milestone for the project.
A further three students were close to graduation. Amani and FOAT recognised that the students needed longer to learn skills needed to be able to tailor independently and establish their own small businesses.
Following a small injection of funds by FOAT and a generous donation from a private individual, the project was able to continue to July 2020 when 10 of the original cohort of students will have the skills necessary to start their own tailoring businesses or, for those remaining at Amani, to make some basic items for Amani to sell.
The Tailoring Project in action outside the Amani Centre
Practising new tailoring skills
Practising new tailoring skills
One of the tailoring sessions
Practising new tailoring skills
Graduation for three of the students
Graduation for three of the students
Mikese Borehole
Obtaining sufficient clean water is always a challenge for any family or organisation in rural Tanzania, and this is especially true for Amani’s farming centre in Mikese.
For some time now, the prospect of a borehole has been something Amani has been very keen to explore. FOAT has been in discussion with Reading Rotary Club. In late 2020, we learned that the bid for £6,300 has been agreed and will be met from the Mike Eggleton bequest. Mike recently died after a career as a senior electrical engineer. He had a passion for sustainable engineering projects.
This project is now underway and water has been successfully reached. This will make a huge difference to everyone at the Mikese Amani Centre.
The Fonthill Co-Curricular Project
About The Fonthill Co-Curricular Project
Phase 1
The Co-Curricular Project at Mvomero, funded by a grant from the Fonthill Trust, is an exciting and innovative project launched in February 2019. It aims to use agriculture as a learning opportunity by using the maize field and vegetable garden as an outdoor classroom, where the children at the Amani Special School for the Hearing impaired can learn about growing maize and vegetables, but can also practise elements of the Government Curriculum.
During a visit in February, Associate Trustee, Barbara Bristow facilitated the launch of the project including buying all the necessary technology, computers and a laminator, as well as the tools for the agriculture.
Phase 1 saw the successful planting and harvesting of the maize farm and vegetable garden. The children were able to use the land as part of their language, signing, maths and art lessons.
The Success of the Maize Farm
The results of the maize drawings
The Success of the Maize Farm
Drawing maize by memory
The results of the maize drawings
The Success of the Maize Farm
The results of the maize drawings
The results of the maize drawings
Learning how far apart to sow seeds
Learning how far apart to sow seeds
Learning how far apart to sow seeds
The new tools thanks to Fonthill
The new tools thanks to Fonthill
Having a lesson about vegetables
The new tools thanks to Fonthill
Phase 2
The Fonthill Foundation provided a further grant to support the project throughout 2020. The money was used the consolidate the project, replant the maize and vegetables, and to begin a chicken project. The children will be taught about chickens and will use the eggs to create a mini business, learning entrepreneurship skills.
Additionally, The Amani Centre used the remaining funds from Fonthill to purchase a plot of land nearby the school so that they do not have to pay rental costs.
In February 2021, FOAT learnt that the Fonthill Foundation wishes to, once again, support Amani in 2021 so that the children can continue to use the surrounding land as part of their education. It is, and continues to be an exciting project which benefits the students and the staff.
Lessons can now be held using the new Outdoor Blackboard
Students plant the vegetables
The new roosting ledges and chickens
Outdoor Lessons
Village elders join in the end of year school celebrations
The successful maize crop
Phase 3 - This is the third year of funding from Fonthill. Everyone at FOAT and Amani are grateful of their continued support of the fantastic work at the Mvomero School for children who are hard of hearing.
As of August 2021, Amani have planted the maize and vegetables, and thankfully all crops are growing well. It is even hoped there will be a small surplus of vegetables which will be sold with the money being reinvested back into the school.
