Futurebuilding is a pioneering fundraising programme designed to enable volunteers to play an active role in community development projects.  These projects provide invaluable support to the children of these communities, whose livelihoods are affected by stricken basic infrastructures.  Despite the success of the Tanzanian government programme to improve primary education, major problems still remain with the conditions of school facilities, which have direct implications on the standard of education and health services provided.  Fortunately, Futurebuilding aims to facilitate the development of quality education services, strengthening Children’s access to schooling.  In the coming weeks, Childreach International’s Futurebuilding programme will work in partnership with UK based company eaga, travelling to the Kilimanjaro district of Tanzania and participating in the “School Improvements Programme”.

The “School Improvements Programme” operates as part of Childreach International’s dedication to its Brighter Schools, Brighter Futures initiatives, which emphasise the necessity of clean and safe environments for children to learn in.  From 2006-2009 the “School Improvements Programme” has funded renovations to six government primary schools, four of which are fully completed.  The renovations have dramatically improved the primary schools in the rural Manyara region, by constructing toilets, kitchens, classrooms and completing essential repairs.  Now the children in these regions can receive their education in safe environments, which protect them from the risks of diseases such as diarrhoea and provide amenities that will improve their school performance.  Moreover, the long-term sustainability provided by the “School Improvements Programme” has enabled schools to increase their rates of retention and therefore cope with the increase in enrolment rates since access to Tanzanian primary education was made free.

Under the guidance of the Futurebuilding programme, the partnership forged between Childreach International and eaga is continuing the “School Improvements Programme” in the Moshi district, working at the Nkosangana and Mrupanga Schools which still require crucial renovation work to their facilities.

Childreach International has been operating in Tanzania since 2004, opening its Tanzanian office, Childreach International Tanzania in April 2009.  The expansion has allowed Childreach International to manage the growing number of proposal projects and have greater contact with the local communities in the Kilimanjaro district, thus ensuring that programmes such as Futurebuilding can operate to maximum effect.  In doing so, Childreach International and Childreach International Tanzania continue to pursue development programmes which promote long term sustainability.