Mtaya Community School

The inspiration for the Mtaya Community School was 20 year old Connet Mwanza. He had gathered together the smallest orphans and vulnerable children in Mtaya and began to teach them with no school and no school supplies. Carolyn, after visiting the village, donated $800 to build a community school for the orphans and disadvantaged of Mtaya village. Children come as far away as over the mountains to attend the one room school. In addition to studying, the children eat one meal a day at the school.

The Borehole

Clean water is essential to the Mtaya community. Clean water is life for the community. The water is used for drinking, cooking, health purposes, for livestock and nutrition gardens. With the installation of the borehole, the villagers do not have to travel long distances to obtain water. Funds for the borehole were donated by Michael Scanlon. With the installation of this borehole, the Mtaya people now have clean water to drink which is close to them.

The Piggery

There are now seven pigs living in the piggery. The shelter has been approved by the agriculture extension officer, two of the pigs are pregnant, and pigs will be sold as an income generating project.

The Community Nutrition Garden

Tomatoes, cabbage, rape, maize, and orange trees grow in the community nutrition garden. When the crops are harvested, they are fed to the children at the school. The garden is cared for by a 5 member team.

Crafts To Sell

The villagers engage in several craft making activities which Children of Mtaya sells in the U.S. They make beaded necklaces, bracelets, eyeglass beaded chains, and ID badge beaded chains. They also design note cards and paint village scenes.

The Sewing Group

Carolyn purchased two manual Singer sewing machines and the village formed a sewing group of seventeen women. They sew clothes which they sell in neighboring villages and tote bags which Children of Mtaya sells in the U.S.