About Us |
Welcome to Afroplan Foundation
Usa River, Tanzania |
Afroplan is located in Usa River, Tanzania. It was founded by Frank Tarimo in 2012. Afroplan is registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act, in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Nafasi Project USA and Afroplan Canada are international non-profit partner organizations. Tanzania is among the least developed countries in the world. It currently ranks 159 out of the 187 countries. However, the cost of living is still quite high, even when compared to western standards. Families struggle to make a living. It is not uncommon for both parents to work multiple low income jobs. Children are left to spend their days on the streets, or to work. It is not uncommon to see 3-6 year old children selling vegetables or goods outside their residence. Afroplan is a safe haven for these children. It provides them with two meals, an introduction to basic pre-school education and a place to feel safe and cared for. Afroplan currently has upwards of 60 students attending its program. |
The
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Afroplan is a day center where children from the poorest families of Usa River can come to learn basic mathematics, science, phonics, grammar, Swahili, and English skills. Additionally, it is a place for these children to stay safe and supervised while the people that they live with (family or guardians) earn an income.
Children arrive at 8 am and are greeted and sent to one of two classes. The baby class is for children 3-7 years old. The pre-unit class was set up for students that excelled in the baby class so they could continue their education. The first two hours of the day consist of class work. Next the children eat breakfast. This is a Tanzanian dish called Ugi. It is similar to porridge; it consists of ground maize, millet, milk, water and sugar warmed to a boil over a wood fire. The remainder of this hour period is spent socializing and playing in a recess like manner. After breakfast the children return to class where they have 2 more hours of lessons. They are given homework and then released for lunch. Lunch is a traditional Tanzanian dish called Makande made from beans, maize, and vegetables or rice and beans, which is also a staple in eastern Africa. The school remains open till 3 pm. There is time for cleaning faces, noses, hands, arms, and legs. If there is time remaining the children nap before heading back to the places they live for the evening. The classroom teachers and staff are local Tanzanian women. There are also international volunteers on site who work to improve the buildings, assist teachers with lessons, help with hygiene programs, and socialize and play with the children. |
Afroplan Supporting Usa River Women
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-Supporting Women Economically is an additional goal of Mr. Frank Tarimo. All staff at Afroplan currently are women besides Mr. Frank and male volunteers. There are two women teachers, that teach the classes and help clean the facilities. There is also a mama for the children that prepare their meals, clean their dishes, and help with the cleaning of clothing if an accident is to arise. Lastly, for part of each year there are female student teachers from a nearby college.
Helping children in isolation is not the only solution for relief from poverty. Poverty still prevails in their families. Supporting local women sociology-economic activities is an additional way to mark a difference in the most poor families in Africa. Women generally are paid far less to do far more. Afroplan offers a few positions for women to have a greater income which in turn, helps their families escape from poverty. Although there are only between 3-5 women working at Afroplan currently at a time, with expansion we hope to continue employing women to empower a generation of women within Usa River. |
Our History |
Afroplan Foundation was launched by Mr. Frank Tarimo to offer education to the less fortunate children and support local women sociology-economic projects for the sake of raising family income and transform them from lower income earners to middle income earners in Africa.
Nancy Stevenson a former senior lecturer at Makumira University College in Arusha and June Nyblade from Gettysburg in the USA sponsored all education costs for Mr. Frank Tarimo and helped him to meet his dreams. Tarimo is now creating a network through friends of the world to support poorly living children in Africa and support them to meet their dreams and have a bright future. |