As 2022 draws to a close, I thought I would take the opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved over the past 12 months and share some of the exciting plans we have in place for 2023.  This video contains just a few of the many highlights!

Record breaking start

January saw a record breaking start to the year with the highest ever number of children enrolling in EdUKaid pre-primary classes.  We also rolled our Inclusion Project out to a further 10 schools – doubling the number of girls and children with a disability benefiting.

In February, books and clothes travelled for several months and nearly 5,000 miles from Birchensale Middle School in Redditch all the way to their link school in Tanzania. The children at Mnaida Primary were very excited to receive these special gifts.

March was a busy month as we delivered Inclusion Project activities across 20 schools including supplying much needed equipment to that girls and disabled children could participate in team sports.

Good to be back in Mikindani

The UK team were delighted to be back in Mikindani in April for the first time since 2019.  For founding Trustee Sarah Varney, this was her first trip in 10 years and she was completely amazed by the progress that had made in that time – read Sarah’s reflections here.  This was Bethan Varney’s first trip and it did not disappoint.  As well as visiting several schools, meeting many children, and getting to know the team, Bethan celebrated a birthday she will never forget.

In May we welcomed volunteer Ashita Dargan to the UK team on placement from Bath University.

We also benefited from the incredible fundraising efforts of Roger Bunn and friends who completed the N2 Portugal Challenge, cycling 454 miles and climbing 20,000 ft in 38° over 5 days.  They raised nearly £1,700 which will pay for a teacher AND assistant to teach 120+ children for an entire year!

10 pre-primary classes built

In June we completed building our 10th pre-primary class in less than a year! Thanks to Guernsey Overseas Aid, these classrooms are providing a stimulating learning environment for over 1,400 children giving them the best possible start to their education.

Over 1,300 children undertook the EdUKaid Mock Examinations in July in preparation for their Primary School Leaving Examinations later in the year.

This month also saw pupils, staff and families from John Harrison C of E Primary School raising an incredible £1,215 through a sponsored Colour Run as part of their end of term activities.

In August we started the first phase of the Community Centre renovation and we welcomed Christina Micklewright to the UK team as Fundraising and Marketing Manager.

Fundraising success

In September, an incredible £21,500 was raised for EdUKaid at the 11^th annual Great Vending Get Together Ball and Golf Day held at the beautiful Ardencote Manor Hotel and Spa.  

This month also saw Georgia and Becky climb Mount Kilimanjaro climb – raising over £2,000 which will pay for a pre-primary teacher and assistant for a whole year.

October saw more fundraising success with Roland Harwood raising over £2,000 running for EdUKaid at his first London Marathon.  Veteran marathon runner Bethan Varney also raised £500 for EdUKaid during the event and, even though she was injured and could not run the virtual marathon, Marie Strain still manage to raise money for the charity.  My First (and Last) Marathon | EdUKaid

A busy November in Mikindani

November was a particularly busy month in Mikindani with the completion of the first phase of the Community Centre renovation and the construction of our 7^th washroom this year. 

This month saw another visit from the UK team including Chair of Trustees Tim Varney who had not visited for 3 years because of COVID restrictions.  Tim was delighted to be able to present the best performing children with prizes at a lively award ceremony during his visit where he was also the UK team’s not so secret weapon in the tug of war competition.

We also welcomed 2 new trustees to the board in November – Glenn Hudson and Elise Perraud share some of their reasons for joining here.

What an incredible end to the year!

In December, our Inclusion Project activities came to an end in December having transformed opportunities for over 5,000 children previously disadvantaged due to attitudes towards gender and disability.

Our 2 year Pre-primary Improvement Project also came to an end this month with 147 government teachers trained and 8,000 of the youngest children benefiting from a better education.

This month we were successful in raising nearly £11,000 through The Big Give Christmas Challenge to start the roll out of our menstrual health project and several of our UK link schools undertook fundraising activities raising funds for their partner schools in Tanzania.

Looking ahead to 2023

In 2023 we celebrate our 20^th anniversary and have some exciting plans in place to mark this incredible milestone both in the UK and in Tanzania.  We also have some fantastic new projects starting in the New Year which we will be sharing with you soon. 

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