Hello everyone,

If you are feeling like doing something good to the world today, here's my suggestion:

WATU - People's participation in education (www.e-watu.com) is a Tanzanian NGO that helps kids to find sponsors for their education. It is also building a secondary school in a rural area near Moshi town in the slopes of Kilimanjaro.

The other good thing that this NGO is doing is to maintain a kindergarten for 70 kids that otherwise could not afford to attend to pre-school.

This NGO was funded by a retired Tanzania teacher 5 years ago and it is helped by a Geneva Intl. School teacher. I have been working for them for 1 week now and I'm very impressed by their commitment and hard work.

There are many things you can do to help them:
1) Sponsor one or more kids withe their education. Get in touch with them through their website www.e-watu.com to get more details. You'll get a regular report about the child you will be sponsoring. It is great to see their progress and participate in their growth as individuals.

2) Sponsor one or more kids in the kindergarten (www.youtube.com/watutanzania  ). The cost of maintaining a child in the kindergarten is USD15 per month per child, but the parents only pay USD3 per month. The rest is covered by donations. Watch this youtube video and you will be touched by the kids energy and good vibe. I've been there with the kids twice last week and I can assure they are amazing!

3) Donate money to finish building the secondary school. WATU is building a secondary school that will help poor kids to get a top education and possibly help them to get into university. State schools in Tanzania are overcrowded and lack good infra-structure. This school will have a science and IT lab and will work with volunteer teachers from abroad. However WATU is still looking for USD20k to finish the buildings and buy the adjacent land plots to get the school ready for 2011.

4) Work as a volunteer in Tanzania or from home. Get in touch to find out more. Moshi is a great base to go on safaris and climb Kilimanjaro. Why not include a few weeks in your holiday to work as a volunteer too? I can assure it is a great experience and it will make you holiday a much more meaningful experience.

5) Spread out the word about them by publicizing watu website and youtube channel.

WATU is a registered charity in Tanzania and in Switzerland too, so you can donate money by bank transfer to their account in either countries.

Thanks,

George