Can you imagine losing your parents, being orphaned and facing the world alone? Or being forced into an arranged marriage with no opportunity to choose what you do in your life? Simply because you were born female, your voice, choice, access to education and an opportunity to support yourself and your family seem unattainable. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We, at the Heart of Africa Foundation, invest in the education and empowerment of Tanzanian girls and women, who without this support, experience inequities such as arranged marriages at a young age, no education, no opportunity to choose a career path or to acquire financial independence. Education is power and the Heart of Africa Foundation is taking a stand with these brilliant girls and women for whom we are seeking your support.

We recognize and congratulate all of us. Over the past two and a half years, we have been living during a pandemic that shook our world, disrupted business as usual, and impacted us in profound ways professionally and personally. Some of us lost beloved family members and friends. We have all been on a collective journey. Our hearts are not only with our girls in Tanzania, but also with all of you.

The pandemic has affected many people and organizations globally, including Heart of Africa Foundation. Many of our donors have suffered losses and are less able to give. We recognize that, due to impacts of the pandemic, there is an outcry for support. We, too, need support! We are reaching out to you today asking for your help, because we are a very small foundation. The benefit of being small, with little overhead and few administrative costs, is that your donations go directly to the needs of the girls and women at the center. Who are these girls?

Here they are, from left to right, clockwise: Rose Paul, Veronica Boniface, Monica Boniface, Gladness Joshua, Sophia Omary, DaFroza, Queen Thomas, and Rebecca Paul.

The young women you see here truly need your support. Sponsoring a girl or the women’s center will make a real impact, directly changing their lives forever. Our girls have dreams, and today you can help make them come true! With your support, we change lives. A moment of your time can change a life forever.

Each of our girls lost her parents at a young age, which is why Leadership at Heart of Africa Foundation took each of them in and invested in their wellbeing, education, and empowerment. Public schools in Tanzania are quite poor and limited, so private schooling, though more expensive, provides more options. Most schooling needs can be supported with $90 a month. An additional $70 a month covers lodging, food, and other personal needs (such as clothing and toiletries) throughout the year. Tutoring for exam preparation, transportation, and utilities are additional expenses that are necessary throughout the year.

You could also consider making a general donation to support the Sion Women's Center. Over 24 local women from the community have been trained as professional seamstresses to create artisan crafts, such as jewelry or bags, that are then sold in Tanzania and the USA. Without fabric or sewing supplies, we cannot empower these women to support themselves. The Center is urgently in need of your support to purchase fabrics, beads, and other supplies for these women who rely on the Sion Center for their livelihood and to support their families. Our goal is to raise $1500 for fabric and other supplies.

Would you consider supporting these beautiful and courageous women? It quite literally means the world to them!

Thank you for sharing our passion of giving these girls voice and choice in their lives!

Please visit our website for more information: https://heartofafricafoundatio...

Giving Voice & Choice in Tanzania

By Elisa Pool

Giving Voice & Choice in Tanzania

Supporting the girls and women of the Heart of Africa Foundation