Vision
We want to contribute to making the world a better place to live.
Bumbuli, Usambara mountains, Tanzania · since 2011
A little light of hope
A non-profit organisation working against extreme poverty, illiteracy and other social problems in rural Tanzania, with the people who need it most: children and orphans, women, youth and the families of rural villages.
Light for New Life in Bumbuli
- 2011founded in March, registered as an NGO in October
- 10young founders, nine Tanzanian and one Italian
- 40children at Kin'gen'gezi pre-primary school
- 10young people in the first computer course
- 42villagers who set Bumbuli's priorities with us
- 4main projects in the village
Figures as the foundation reported them.
Who we are
Young Tanzanians, working with their communities
Light for New Life Foundation was founded in March 2011 by a group of ten young people, nine Tanzanian and one Italian. The same year the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania recognised it as a non-governmental organisation.
We work for everyone, regardless of religious belief, tribe or gender. We share information with local communities, stakeholders and local authorities, and we shape every project around what the community says it needs.
We work in Bumbuli, a small rural village in Lushoto District, Tanga Region, high in the Usambara mountains. Several tribes live here, the largest being the Sambaa, and most families live from subsistence farming and cattle. Bumbuli is far from the tourist areas and the main roads, and its people really need cooperation: that is why we chose it.
- Officially registered and recognised as an NGO by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania on 17 October 2011.
- Based in Bumbuli Mission Village, next to the bus stop, Lushoto District, Tanga Region.
Mission
To improve the lives of the most vulnerable people (orphans, children, women, youth and the poorest families of rural areas) by promoting social and economic growth and developing self-sustaining projects.
How we work
We believe that projects the local community can carry on by itself are the only real way to improve people's lives.
Our values
- Free education a natural right, and the way to self-determination and out of poverty
- Empowerment of the most vulnerable people, women above all, so they can be self-reliant
- Co-operation solidarity and volunteerism
- Transparency and communication
Our projects
Work, school and skills, built with the village
Mkeka women group
A community project that gives a group of women a trade, an income and a stronger place in village life. They weave the mkeka, a mat of natural material such as palm leaves, coloured or left natural, round (kitanga) or square (mswala), as is common on the Tanzanian coast.
Orphan education: Kin'gen'gezi pre-primary school
Many children in Bumbuli have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Our pre-primary school, opened in January 2012, gives children aged 3 to 6 who have no sponsor and cannot afford school a free start before primary school. Kin'gen'gezi means firefly in Sambaa.
Local tailoring crafts
We work with a group of tailors in Bumbuli, helping them make and sell bags and other crafts from kitenge and batik, the bright printed cotton of East Africa. Write to us if you would like to see or buy them.
Computer class
In October 2012 three volunteers from Informatici Senza Frontiere set up a computer room in Bumbuli and taught a basic course to ten young people from the village. The best students go on to give free lessons to other youths.
Volunteer work camps
Short work camps where volunteers take on jobs the community needs and help our projects move forward. Volunteering in Tanzania is a deep cultural exchange, and a way to make the north and south of the world work together.
Bumbuli bags in Milan
In November 2011 we showed the bags made by Bumbuli's tailors at Change-up, a sustainable-fashion event at Superstudio Più in Milan.
A gospel CD for the school
For Christmas 2011 we released "Silent Night", Tanzanian gospel with the Canaan Singers Group, on iTunes. All the money raised goes to the school in Bumbuli.
Games with Kivumo Primary School
In August 2011 Italian volunteers from Trenarcobaleno spent two weeks with the children of Kivumo Primary School: games, juggling, theatre, dance, music and painting, ending with a Peter Pan show.
Handmade favours
Bumbuli's tailors also sew favours for weddings and celebrations; buying them is a gift to Kin'gen'gezi school.
Our goals
Six goals, one aim: people who can stand on their own
Light for New Life works so that the most vulnerable people can reach independence and self-reliance.
Free education
A natural right of every child, and the only real way for Tanzania to fight poverty: free education gives children self-determination.
Empowerment
Help orphans, children, widows, youth and the poorest rural families reach social and economic empowerment.
HIV/AIDS education
Prevent HIV/AIDS through education, and end the stigma faced by people affected by it.
Co-operation and solidarity
Build a spirit of co-operation and solidarity among the people and actors of local communities.
Volunteering
Encourage young people, local and international, to volunteer in community service.
Transparency
Manage income and donations openly, tell donors and villagers how money is used, and use it only for our objectives.
Bumbuli's needs
The village set our priorities
On 16 January 2012 our chairman met Bumbuli's village leaders, stakeholders and representatives. Each of the 42 participants wrote down three or four problems facing the village; together they cast 154 votes.
- A secondary school closer to home25%
- A reliable, safe water supply20%
- A bigger dispensary16%
- Repairs to primary school classrooms14%
- Teaching aids and stationery13%
- Enough toilets in primary schools12%
Bumbuli Mission and Bumbuli Kaya have no secondary school: students walk 2 km through hills and bush to the nearest one, and 39 of the 42 participants named it. The land to build one is already available. Many women walk a kilometre or more every day for water.
News
Steps we are proud of
October 2011
Officially an NGO
On 17 October 2011 the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania registered and recognised Light for New Life Foundation as a non-governmental organisation.
November 2011
Change-up, Milan
Our first public event: three days at a sustainable-fashion fair, presenting our projects and the bags sewn in Bumbuli. Asante sana to everyone who came.
January 2012
Kin'gen'gezi pre-primary school opens
A new school for 40 children, most of them orphans or children in very hard conditions. Giving them school means switching on a little light of hope in their lives.
October 2012
A computer room for Bumbuli
After one week the students were learning with enthusiasm and curiosity, and village leaders welcomed the project with joy. With thanks to Bumbuli Development Corporation for its support.
December 2011
A Christmas gift for Bumbuli
"Silent Night", our CD of Tanzanian gospel with the Canaan Singers Group, raises money for the school in Bumbuli.
July 2013
A wedding souvenir from Bumbuli
Irene and Carmine marked their wedding with favours made by Bumbuli's tailors, as a donation to Kin'gen'gezi nursery school. Thank you.
Friends who work with us
- Informatici Senza Frontiere
- Bumbuli Development Corporation
- Trenarcobaleno
- Canaan Singers Group
Get involved
Help a child, a woman or a young person in Bumbuli
Your support keeps Kin'gen'gezi school open, brings work to Bumbuli's women and tailors, and gives young people new skills.
Write to us to donateBank transfer
Donations go to the foundation's account at KCB Bank Tanzania, in euros, British pounds or US dollars. Write to us and we will send you the current details.
Volunteer
Join a work camp in Bumbuli, or work with us as a long-term volunteer.
Buy handmade gifts
Mats, bags and favours made in Bumbuli, for yourself and your friends. Help us run fundraising events and sell them.
Spread the word
Tell people about Light for New Life Foundation, our projects and our view of life.
Contact
Talk to us
- support@lightfornewlife.org
- +255 782 217 723
- +255 783 337 505
- +255 715 895 325
- Bumbuli Mission Village, next to the bus stop
P.O. Box 96, Lushoto District
Tanga Region, Tanzania
Follow our work
Karibu! Volunteers, partners and friends are always welcome to write.