It’s estimated that more than 2 million children in Tanzania have lost one or both of their parents. The social and economic costs of this sad reality are immense. Many thousands of these children are deprived of an education because they lack the resources to enroll. Without an education, these children face a life of illiteracy and continued poverty. Tanzanian society suffers the burden of this lack of education through increased crime, disease and poverty.

We believe that education is a basic right that all children deserve. Each year, sales of the Amani Christmas, Holiday, and Gift Cards raise money to pay for tuition, uniforms, textbooks, and school lunches in the New Year. In 2009, Amani sponsored the education of 288 children. These children were enrolled in local primary and secondary schools, Amani’s On-site Education Program, and vocational training centers throughout Tanzania. With your help, Amani hopes to be able to send even more children to school in 2010.

This year, we’re featuring two beautiful cards, one which features a silhouette of the African savannah decorated with Christmas lights, and the other which brings a message of peace, which is the meaning of the word “amani” in Swahili. You can make a direct impact in the lives of Tanzania’s homeless children by purchasing your cards from the Amani website. The cards are already in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, ready to be sent out immediately by our volunteer distributors, so you’ll be sure to receive your cards in plenty of time before the holidays.

We’re also offering alternative gift cards so that you can honor your loved ones by making a donation to Amani in their honor. Just $16 will provide a set of sheets and blankets for a bed at Amani and $200 will cover the first semester of secondary school for an Amani child. For this holiday season, consider giving the gift of hope! The alternative gift cards are printed on card stock and will be mailed to your address in time for the holiday season.

Help us ensure that all children have the chance to learn. Supplies are limited so order your cards today at http://cards.amanikids.org/.

On September 19th, thirteen Amani students celebrated the completion of their primary school studies. Amani honored its 2009 graduating class, which included twelve young men and one young woman, with a day of music, dancing, and food.

Local community leaders, members of Amani’s Board of Trustees, and neighbors joined in the celebration and offered their congratulations to the graduates. Amani’s drumming and acrobatics club performed an exciting routine of handsprings, juggling, and dancing.

Completing primary school is an important accomplishment in a country where extreme poverty limits most children from completing – or in some cases even starting – school. In 2005, the Tanzanian Government made primary school free, resulting in the near doubling of enrollment rates. However, parents are still required to contribute to education costs, such as uniforms, food, and salaries for school guards. These expenses can make it impossible for families to afford to send their children to school.

We believe that education is the best tool available in the struggle to end the poverty and homelessness that affects hundreds of thousands of children throughout Tanzania. With the help of organizations like Amani, the Tanzanian Government has made significant strides in the race to reach the United Nations’ millennium development goal of Education for All by 2015. In 2007, it reported that 97% of primary school-age children were enrolled in primary school, although others argue that number is more realistically about 77%. However, primary school completion rates are much lower, with some estimates as low as 20%.

In her speech to this year’s graduating class, Joyce Makyao, Amani’s Education Coordinator, said, “We have watched you grow into young men and women and it is our deepest desire to see each of you succeed in life and continue your studies. Each one of you has faced many challenges in your life and we are extremely proud of your accomplishments.”

Amani supports the education of all of the children we work with, equipping them with the resources they need to learn, and providing them with the encouragement to succeed. You can help us send more children to school by making a donation today.

Amani celebrated the dedication and commitment of social worker Godfrey Pamphil and nurse Rovina Kiwia with a long-service award this September, recognizing their 7 years of service to Amani Children’s Home. The two were honored with a certificate and small party where colleagues shared good wishes and inspiring stories from their experiences working together.

Amani’s journey had very humble beginnings and both Godfrey and Rovina played important roles in Amani’s early years. Though Amani had little to offer street-children besides a safe place to sleep back when it began in 2001, kids still flocked to the home, grateful for safety and the kindness shown to them by Godfrey and the other volunteers at Amani. Godfrey’s gregarious personality, patience and streetwise attitude give him the unique ability to connect with children on the streets. For the last seven years, Godfrey has been working as Amani’s Street Educator, the first point of contact between Amani and the children sleeping on the streets.

Rovina joined Amani in May 2002. Before coming to Amani she studied pharmaceuticals and worked in a local health clinic. She now leads Amani’s health program, overseeing the medical care of all the children at the center. Like Godfrey, when Rovina first began working with Amani she did so as a volunteer, as Amani was unable to pay salaries to those compassionate men and women who cared for the children.

In the past decade, the number of children living on the streets of Tanzania has grown rapidly due to the effects of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and the breakdown of the family. Since its inception in 2001, Amani has been a haven of peace for children who’ve been forced out into the streets. Amani’s work would not be possible without the dedication of men and women like Godfrey and Rovina. We extend our gratitude and appreciation to all the Amani team, including our many supporters around the world, for their commitment to improving the lives of Tanzania’s homeless children. Thank you.

Friends of Amani (FOA) is an international network of volunteers united in Amani’s mission. Friends of Amani teams are committed, caring people who work together to raise support and awareness for the Amani children in their home countries.

In October, Director Valerie Todd visited FOA UK and Canada for their annual meetings, as well as to speak at local fundraising events. FOA members shared their efforts to raise support and awareness about the Amani children. In the UK, this included events as varied as hosting a quiz night in the village hall, speaking at churches, selling art to benefit the kids, and planning a fundraising dinner. In Canada, efforts include partnerships with local schools, a fundraising lunch, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and selling Christmas and holiday cards.

If you’re interested in joining FOA in your home country or learning more please visit www.friendsofamani.ca/ in Canada, www.foa.uk.amanikids.org/ in the UK, and www.friendsofamani.com/ in the United States.

Thanks from all of us at Amani to everyone who has joined together as Friends of Amani for their dedication, enthusiasm, and creativity!