Our Founder

 

News update:.  August 8, 2022:

Shout out to Jeremiah tonight on being elected the Chairman of the Ganako ward for the next 5 years!!!

The orphanage is located in the Ganako ward in the city of Karatu.  

We look forward to seeing Jeremiah work for the good of the people in the ward.

 

 

AN INTERVIEW WITH JEREMIAH: 

QUESTION: How did you and your wife get started with Imani Focus?

Jeremiah:  I used to work with street connected children. And during the time I realized that many children suffering in the street are originating from orphaned families.   With a lack of parental care they end up on the street to struggle for their life. 

Karatu is a large tourist corridor and also a district with a large number of native tribes.  This tends to lead to many girls and boys ending up on the street. When a young girl ends up out on the street they fall prey to sexual commercial work at a very young age. Without any education they experience early pregnancies, diseases and abuse.  After giving birth it is common to abandon their children to their parents or grandparents, or in some cases onto the street.  

We started by trying to rescue these girls but in most cases it was a futile attempt.  Many of these young girls were already set in their way of life on the street and were unwilling to change. 

After sharing the idea with my wife, she advised me that is better to help orphans. So in 2010 we started the process of opening and registering the orphanage center. We feel if we  can save the children, history hopefully wont repeat itself. 

We do not have children of our own, so all of the children we take in become family.  

Our motto is equal rights for all. So we believe that all children have rights to access good education and health but also good shelter. 

 

QUESTION:  When did you take in the first child? 

Jeremiah:   In 2010 after registration in August , that same month we took in three children who we already visited and received permission from social welfare. 

 

QUESTION: How do you get the money to help these children? 

Jeremiah:   Currently we don’t have permanent donors.  We have friends that are helping and visitors who come to see our center. Also neighbors and friends are supporting us by donating materials and food. 

This is why currently we are not able to have them attend private school, which would provide them a much better education.   They are still studying in public/government schools.  We are hopeful that once people get to see what we are doing and see the children on this web site we will have permanent doners.

*(just a note:  Even public chools in Tanzania cost money. They offer an education for the children, but not at the same standards as the private schools, where they would be learning to speak english)

 

QUESTION: What has been the hardest part? 

Jeremiah:  Sustaining enough food and suplies for the children.  Keep up with the childrens school fees. Having the ability to pay our teams salary and rent for our land and building.  Working on a way to find more room which will allow us to help more children,  have better rehabilitation, classes for extra studies, land for the animals and gardens.  It would provide more room for food through the poultry, pig and cows project which creates financial sustainability for the childrens food .

 

QUESTION: Besides money, what do you need at the orphanage ?? 

Jeremiah:  We are grateful to receive all items useful for the children and office. Items such as laptops, children clothes, cleaning materials, sport equipment’s,  raw food, school supplies, first aid equipment, construction supplies.          

 

QUESTION: How can people get involved? 

Jeremiah:  We invite volunteers, friends to come and join us to learn more about these childrens lives and sharing the experience of helping those in need .  We invite organizations in need of an exchange program and sharing social experiences with the team by visiting our cultural sites with children and also hosting children.  Of course if you are not able to visit, your donations make all things possible.

 

QUESTION:  What is your goal for the future of Imani Focus?

 

Jeremiah: Hoping that we gain enough financial assistance we will be able to construct our own school and support more children from poor families by giving them the opportunity of a free education. We believe that a good education will open many doors for vulnerable children to make their dreams come true. 

 

 

Below:  Founder and Managing Diredtor:  Jeremiah Joseph Mahhu