First off I would like to start by saying that everyone should have an experience like the one I am having at some point in their life. I am being exposed to so many different things and being inspired in so many different ways. My internship is with Msamaria, which is a center for street children. It took me a while to get settled in, but now that I am, I absolutely love it and don’t think I am going to want to leave.

The center is a haven for children that have run away from home or have been driven to the street. They are either on the street due to physical abuse, alcohol issues at home or their parent’s death as a result from HIV/AIDS. The children quite obviously have trust and commitment issues. Some hate being touched, while others embrace hugs as if they have never been hugged before. With some of the children I can see signs of abuse. From cuts and burns on their faces to completely scared backs. Regardless of their past they are still happy, laughing, playing and smiling.

The kids learn, play, sleep and eat at the center, so I get to witness all the activities of their lives.  In the morning when I arrive, they have already had breakfast and have moved on to cleaning. Some kids are hand washing their clothing and others are moping the floors. Not long after they begin to prepare lunch, which consist of cut and cooked lettuce and beans. The lettuce comes from their garden and the beans from any donations that they get. Right now the center doesn’t have any sustainable income nor have permanent sponsors, so sometimes the kids have to skip lunch.

The fact that the center doesn’t have any sustainable income is where my work comes into play. Right now I am helping to complete an already started income generating project. We are working on creating a small business with chickens to bring in money for the center. Currently, a chicken den is being built on the property, which should soon house two hundred chickens. The eggs from these chickens will be sold and the money will be used to buy food for the center and pay for any bills. A second project which I am heading up is a beading project which should provide another sustainable source of income for the center. The children are starting to make all sorts of jewelry and sell them at different locations around Moshi. We will be focusing on selling the jewelry at tourist places, such as volunteer organizations and hotels. So far the children have done one trip to a volunteer home base and it was quite successful. With the money they raised they were able to buy some food and pay for half of the water bill. The future for the center is still not certain, but it is starting to look more positive. My hope is that by the time I leave both projects will be sustainable and that they will run smoothly with out me being here.

First off I would like to start by saying that everyone should have an experience like the one I am having at some point in their life. I am being exposed to so many different things and being inspired in so many different ways. My internship is with Msamaria, which is a center for street children. It took me a while to get settled in, but now that I am, I absolutely love it and don’t think I am going to want to leave.

The center is a haven for children that have run away from home or have been driven to the street. They are either on the street due to physical abuse, alcohol issues at home or their parent’s death as a result from HIV/AIDS. The children quite obviously have trust and commitment issues. Some hat being touched, while others embrace hugs as if they have never been hugged before. With some of the children I can see signs of abuse. From cuts and burns on their faces to completely scared backs. Regardless of their past they are still happy, laughing, playing and smiling.

The kids learn, play, sleep and eat at the center, so I get to witness all the activities of their lives.  In the morning when I arrive, they have already had breakfast and have moved on to cleaning. Some kids are hand washing their clothing and others are moping the floors. Not long after they begin to prepare lunch, which consist of cut and cooked lettuce and beans. The lettuce comes from their garden and the beans from any donations that they get. Right now the center doesn’t have any sustainable income nor have permanent sponsors, so sometimes the kids have to skip lunch.

The fact that the center doesn’t have any sustainable income is where my work comes into play. Right now I am helping to complete an already started income generating project. We are working on creating a small business with chickens to bring in money for the center. Currently, a chicken den is being built on the property, which should soon house two hundred chickens. The eggs from these chickens will be sold and the money will be used to buy food for the center and pay for any bills. A second project which I am heading up is a beading project which should provide another sustainable source of income for the center. The children are starting to make all sorts of jewelry and sell them at different locations around Moshi. We will be focusing on selling the jewelry at tourist places, such as volunteer organizations and hotels. So far the children have done one trip to a volunteer home base and it was quite successful. With the money they raised they were able to buy some food and pay for half of the water bill. The future for the center is still not certain, but it is starting to look more positive. My hope is that by the time I leave both projects will be sustainable and that they will run smoothly with out me being here.

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