The Mlangarini Project

The Problem

The Mlangarini Project provides direct assistance to the local primary school of Mlangarini, a small village near Arusha, Tanzania. We work to bridge the gap between the needs of the students and the school’s meager resources. The needs here are severe. Textbooks, paper, pens, and even desks are scarce. The classrooms have dirt floors and no electricity. Our group has worked to alleviate these shortfalls through donations of money and materials. Yet most dire is the lack of school uniforms. Children without the $40 uniform are not allowed to attend classes. Moreover, the uniforms that do exist are often worn to shreds. These uniforms are the first step in providing every Mlangarini child with a good education. We believe in the value of hands-on engagement with the village. Rather than simply sending money overseas, we make a trip to Mlangarini every spring, collaborating with the villagers to meet the school's needs as effectively as possible, and to make a lasting impact on their quality of life. A little goes a long way in Mlangarini, but the villagers still face a long road. Yet we are determined to get them where they need to be. Aristotle once said, “The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.” The Mlangarini Project works to bring the students of Mlangarini to life—helping them gain the education that every human being deserves.

Plan of Action

In Spring of 2014, our group will travel to Mlangarini at their own expense. Textbooks, school supplies, and building supplies are purchased from local shops and manufacturers. School uniforms are purchased from the local tailor. This approach ensures that all donated funds reach Mlangarini where they will do the most good—and that the money, and not just products, enters the local economy.