Food talks with Mr. Olengilorit 🌽

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Mr. Mbayani Olengilorit has been the headmaster of Majengo Primary School since March 2022. The school is just down the road from Majengo Children's Home and currently has approximately 710 students. Many of the students who graduate from Majengo Pre-School continue on to class 1 at Majengo primary. This year, we sat down with Mr. Olengilorit to talk about the school, and how the Majengo food security program helps students at Majengo primary.

Majengo developed the School Food Subsidy Program in 2022 in light of the food scarcity issue caused by global turmoil and drought in the area. Children began to struggle to make their mandatory food contributions which would sometimes get them kicked out of school.

Food contributions are expected to be given to the school by each student to help provide meals. This is necessary because the government does not provide enough funds to feed all the students adequately. Often times, as a solution, schools are forced to send kids home for lunch - but this can lead to excessive truancy and is not a solution for many students living far away.

A view of Majengo Primary School and some of its students.

In 2022, Majengo provided 16 School Food Subsidy packs to Majengo Primary School. This helped the 16 students enrolled in Majengo's program stay in school. Mr. Olengilorit also said that this contribution helped feed many children who could not contribute due to economic instability at home.

"These food packs given by MCH really helped feed other kids whose parents could not afford [to provide food packs]." Mr. Olengilorit said

The Majengo Children's Home Board on a recent visit to Majengo Primary to talk to Mr. Olengilorit about some of the challenges he is facing.

"This program also increases attendance since previously we would send kids back home to have lunch. Now the kids can eat at school."

Government schools in Tanzania often struggle with getting the essentials. Mr. Olengilorit explained that they are always lacking in stationary, uniforms and other school supplies. One day they hope to also get support to renovate the classes which were built in the 80s and never fixed up. He also hopes to be able to get new desks for his students some day.

"This program really supported our school. Most of the parents are poor. They cannot afford to bring the food. We received food from Majengo and then a bit from parents who are able. It helps us move forward."

Proper meals, and food security is a critical part of a child's success at school. Without proper meals it is challenging to concentrate and learn. Majengo aims to continue to support the students of Majengo Primary school, and of course to wok with Mr. Olengilorit to support the most vulnerable students that he teaches.

If you would like to help support food security at Majengo, you can donate online.

All donations go towards supporting the Majengo children and are fully tax deductible in Canada and the United States.

CHEQUE: payable to MAJENGO CANADA
P.O. Box 15001
1507 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M4T 1Z0

Online:

DONATE - Canada & Int'l

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Securities: If you want to be more strategic in your charitable giving, you can donate them to Raymond James Ltd. to create your own donor advised fund. Raymond James Ltd. will receive the donation, sell the stock and forward the donation to Majengo Canada. You will receive a tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. If you are interested, please contact Richard Hart at rhart@3macs.com or 514-393-3344.

Have questions? Get in touch!
Simone: simone@majengo.org

Majengo Canada Financial Statements
Registered CRA T3010 charity info returns can be reviewed online here.