Mkombosi

James Forshall is walking the Pyrenees with the aim of raising enough money to build a dormitory to shelter street children for Mkombosi. Mkombosi is an organisation based in Arusha and Moshi in Tanzania . It was set up by two volunteers in 1997. They observed that 50% of the population of Tanzania were children; that the treatment of street children by the authorities was a disgrace; that their human rights including the right to education were being abused and that no one was championing their cause.

Romilly trustee, David Jamieson has visited Mkombosi and believes that they are the most inspiring street children organisation that he as ever met. They have a genuinely holistic approach, which embraces trying to stop children migrating to the street, dealing with them when they do, integrating them with the community, providing them with the tools to succeed in the future, mobilising other child welfare organisations and defending their rights.

Mkombosi have done research into why children leave their homes for the street and have established key indicators for the likelihood of them doing so. With the help of their schools and communities they are able to identify vulnerable children and mentor them and their families. In the villages where they have been able to apply this proactive approach they have cut the number of children migrating to the streets by 60%, a fantastic achievement.

For those children that do live on the streets, Mkombosi have specially trained street workers, taking education to them and caring for them. They try to reintegrate children with their families, get them into mainstream education, or if that is not possible provide them with practical education.

Mkombosi has strong belief in the potential of these children and young people to provide the solution to their predicament. One of Mkombosi's most successful ways of enabling them to do so has been to provide children as young as 12 with training, business support and a loan. Loans can be as low as £10. Surprisingly few default. Businesses can be anything from selling sweets to designing and making clothes.

Mkombosi nevertheless need a place where children can come in off the street and be cleaned up, cared for while a plan for the future is made. This is the dormitory that we are raising money for. It will greatly improve the chances in life of those children who are sheltered there.