As the end of the year is approaching we would like to give an update of what Lighthouse and Shalom children have been up to. Currently Lighthouse Missions is supporting 60 children from Shalom orphanage through sponsorships in their different stages of education:
We have 4 children in Tumaini Pre-primary School. Last month three of these children celebrated their graduation and will be starting primary school in January! Congratulations!
(Tumaini Pre-primary and Junior School)
In Primary School, Lighthouse is currently supporting 21 children. Two of these children are disabled and visit a school in town that offers special education. The rest of the children attend Tumaini Junior school, which is an English medium school. We have seen such growth in communication and confidence in all the children attending that school!
(Students at Naikido Secondary School in Arusha 2022 and 2024)
There are 20 children in Secondary Schools, most of which are boarding schools. This year we will be celebrating the graduation of 8 children from “Form 4”, which is an important stage in Tanzania. From there most students continue with advanced education (equivalent to high school/bachillerato) and some go to vocational schools or diploma studies. This is a challenging stage because the Tanzanian system gets a little complicated. We work hard together with our Tanzanian partner to try to navigate and find the best “route” for each child.
Last year we had two boys start vocational training at a Vocational School up in the Mountains that border Ngorongoro NP. So soon we will have an electrician and a mason!
(Visiting the Vocational School)
Lastly, we are also very proud to support 10 children in their College and University education. From engineer, medical officer to accountant and social worker, we love to see each child find and grow in their interests and talents! During this time the students have to learn to make budgets, keep accounts and manage the money for their school fees, accommodation, food, transports etc… thus developing responsibility and management skills. This requires the most work, so thank you Mama Carmen and also all our incredible and committed Sponsors/Padrinos!!
Last year marked a very important milestone for our organization, as we had our very first two students graduate from college and university!! And not only graduate, but both have found jobs and can earn their own living!! This is such a success and gives us hope for all the children!
(Pictures of our college students and our “Ranger” in his own rented accomodation)
Updates on Shalom Orphanage
Shalom and Mama Warra continue to meet the needs of many children (currently around 90 children) and always open their doors to receive more children that are orphans or are desperately in need of a home that can provide them with safety, shelter and care. This year Shalom took in more than 15 new children, many still very young. They are always in need of extra support for food and this year especially baby formula to provide for all, which is something Lighthouse also tries to help with.
Mission Trips
Once a year we try to organize a missions trip to Karatu to follow-up and work on site with the children and Shalom. Our upcoming trip will be in December 2024! During the trips we check in on the children and orphanage, provide needs, plan and prepare for the next school year, connect children with their sponsors etc…. and of course plan some quality time and fun activities with the children!
Any help and donation is welcomed to help us fill up Shalom´s pantry, provide school needs and do some special activities with the children!
Finally, we want to say THANK YOU to all our Sponsors!!! Our projects wouldn´t be possible without the number of supporters we have! And a special thank you to our very engaged group of spanish “Padrinos”, who are always finding new ways to help Shalom and the children!