The vision of ABCD: Art Building Children’s Dreams is a world where vulnerable children can achieve their dreams. We are a Canadian charity that raises funds to help children in rural Tanzania complete their education.

News Archive

ABCD:
Art Building Children's Dreams
PO Box 1113
Mount Albert ON L0G 1M0
Canada

Middlefield Collegiate Institute

Posted by Frank, February 20th, 2009

As result of a presentation which was given by Frank to some classes at Middlefield Collegiate Institute a short while back, today, Lynn and Frank met with two students and their teacher, at Middlefield Collegiate Institute in Markham, Ontario to accept some funds that the students raised for our children!

The students names are Fatema, Muyly and Arvin (who couldn’t make it today). By using school announcements, handouts and by visiting classrooms, these three grade nine students were able to raise awareness of poverty in this part of Tanzania, and, enough money ($180) to support three children, David, Delivina and Yasinta, for one year of primary school!

The posters of these children will hang in the school and the three students indicated interest in continuing to fundraise for our cause.

It is so rewarding to meet these young adults who are sincerely engaged in social action and in making a difference in the lives of less fortunate young people. The three students were given Certificates of Appreciation as a token of our gratitude for their work.

It should be mentioned that this is the second group of students at MCI who have worked fundraising for ABCD: Art Building Children’s Dreams. In the near future we will be returning to give another presentation to more students at Middlefield C.I.

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The final week in Tanzania

Posted by Frank, February 18th, 2009

Frank and I have returned to Canada, Frank on January 30th and myself on Feb. 7th.

My report on my last week in Tanzania begins on a Sunday, with the sorting of school uniforms and supplies. Our children had been advised to come that Sunday afternoon to Joseph’s home to pick up their school uniform and supplies.

Six-year-old David arrived first with his grandpa and they arrived at lunch time. There was no doubt that they would be invited to stay and join us for the noon meal. Joseph’s mom heartily welcomed two more to the small garden where we ate. As you can see in the photo, David was delighted to receive his uniform and school supplies.

After lunch it rained very hard and Scola was the only additional arrival. Scola luckily had an umbrella which is a rare sight amongst our children and raises an issue that we would like to address before our next return trip. During the rainy season children arrive at school wet and stay in those wet clothes all day. The typical protection from the rain is a banana leaf, which does little to keep them dry.

Subsequent days were spent reviewing each child’s file to ensure that we had updated information, a new drawing and the necessary receipts for all support costs.

On Wednesday Joseph informed me that little Airini, who was transferred to the KCMC hospital in Moshi with a diagnosis of malaria, actually had appendicitis. She was now at home and doing well. And little Yasinta, another child with a health issue (we had paid the $2 clinic fee for her to be seen by a physician), had been turned away from the clinic. The physician had not realized that her clinic fees had been prepaid by ABCD. Another issue to add to Joseph’s “follow up” list of things to do. Josphat, the 14-year-old boy from Kenya was not able to get admission to the local government-sponsored high school because he was not from Tanzania. His only option now is one of the private schools. Joseph will follow up with Josphat to determine if this would be of interest to him.

When I left Tanzania on Friday, Joseph’s follow-up list was long indeed. With 10 new children added he has much to do! Where would we be without him.

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