Our Formula:
Education +
Sustainability
= Independance
Bringing Schools and Students Together
Through Intercultural Dialogue and
Sustainable Change
EDUCATION is the most POWERFUL weapon which you can use to CHANGE THE WORLD - Nelson Mandela
The House of Learning provides education to over 200 orphaned
and vulnerable children annually.
To assist in providing free education to underprivileged Tanzanian children through the development of a sustainable school that embraces a fun and healthy learning environment.
Friends of the House of Learning is a grassroots non-profit organization.
The House of Learning (HOL) is our inspiration and our partner. We work closely with the founders to develop strategies to achieve our objectives:
At Friends of HOL, the concept of sustainability and independance is embedded into everything we do. We avoid the quick fix and take a long-term sustainable approach to just about everything!
In the end, we envision a school that is able to operate independantly, and provide exceptional education in accordance with government curriculum, without any external support or funding.
SABRINA MEHERALLY
Sabrina is the founder of Friends of The House of Learning. In the Fall of 2010, she volunteered as an English Teacher at the House of Learning, and has maintained a close relationship with its students and founders. Sabrina is passionate about philanthropy and a believer in education and sustainable development. She volunteers extensively in the non-profit sector, and brings experience in volunteer management, marketing, and resource development. Sabrina graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelors of Business Administration, concentrated in Human Resource Management.
VANESSA SEQUEIRA
Vanessa holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education with a citation in Behavioural Intervention. Her passion for brightening the lives and futures of children exceeds far beyond a 9-5 job, and is what has brought her to join Friends of the House of Learning. Vanessa is a former founding member of a multi-cultural youth organization and believes that education is the first step towards success, regardless of social or economic status.
SHARON FAN
Sharon has a Bachelor's degree, concentrated in Sociology with a minor in English, from the University of British Columbia. She has also obtained a Bachelors of Social Work from the University of Victoria. Her passion for social justice brought her to the social services field where she has both worked and volunteered. As a Friend of The House of Learning, she extends her interests in social justice from a local to international context. She believes that we live in a relatively privileged society, and feels passionate about paying it forward. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, watching concerts, and spending time with her dog.
AACHAL GOUNDAR
Born in Fiji, Aachal came to Canada in 2004 as an international student and graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts, concentrated in Political Science with an extended minor in Criminology. Her involvement with Friends of The House of Learning is founded on a belief that educating children can equip them with the tools they need for a better life. Aachal plans on working for international governmental and non-profit humanitarian organizations in the future.
BERNADETTE BROCAL
Bernadette's passion for helping people led her to pursue a career in nursing. She recently graduated from Douglas College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Bernadette began volunteering at a young age and has significant experience in event planning. Her desire to help those in need brought her to the Friends of the House of Learning. Bernadette is also passionate about education in the arts, and occasionally volunteers at the community center teaching dance as a way to promote fitness and health.
JERMAINE SEQUEIRA
Jermaine graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA), concentrated in Human Resource Management. Having grown up in a developing country, she recognizes the importance of education and the impact it has on a child. Jermaine is passionate about giving back to her community, and communities around the world. Through her involvement with Friends of The House of Learning, she hopes to make a meaningful difference and to inspire others to volunteer for a cause that they believe in.
ONESEMO
In 2004, Onesmo lost his father in an accident. His mother decided to marry another man and left him with his grandmother, who is very old and unable to work. Because of this, Onesmo was unable to continue receiving an education. There was no money to send him to school or to buy clothes for him. As life became more difficult, Onesmo decided to look for work. He found a job at Sky Inn, which is located next-door to one of HOL's educational centres. After learning that HOL supports orphans and vulnerable children academically, he asked his boss for permission to join in June 2010. He is allowed to study 3 hours per day. Onesmo tries his best in school, but is finding it a challenge to keep his grades up. He works everyday with no weekends or holidays, and is paid 20,000 TZS (approximately $15) per month, all of which he sends to his grandmother in Singida. Onesmo dreams of becoming an Engineer in the future.
CHRISTINE
At the age of three, Christine lost her mother due to HIV/AIDS. She never knew her real father. Christine was neglected by her grandparents after her mother passed away, as they suspected her to be HIV positive. Test results, however, have indicated otherwise. Currently, Christine is living with the two founders (husband and wife) of the House of Learning.
Christine is extremely intelligent. She is strong in all subjects, including English, and has skipped two grades. In the future, Christine would like to be a doctor.
MAUA
Maua was born in 1996 in Moshi, Tanzania. Both of her parents passed away when she was a young girl, and she was left to live with her aunt. Maua's aunt treated her very poorly, and as a result, she ran to the streets. One day, Maua came across the two founders of the House of Learning (Bunga and Marco), having lunch at a restaurant. Maua followed them, asking them for money to buy food that day. The founders did not give her any money, but proceeded to ask her questions and then brought her to their home. Maua now lives with the founders.
She joined The House of Learning in November 2010. She performs well in school and would like to be an accountant.
"Elimu ndo chanzo cha maisha mema"
(Education is a source of good life) - MAUA MAULID
"Elimu ni maarifa yanayomsaidia mtu au mlengwa kutoka sehemu moja kwenda sehemu nyingine"
(Education is knowledge that helps any person to step from one place to the next) - CHRISTINE KESSY
What's the worry?
The House of Learning's Quality Training Centre (QTC) provides free education to underprivileged Tanzanian children. It's operations are entirely funded by the personal income of its founders, Bunga and Marco.
The dependence on this lone source of income presents a risk in the sustainability and survival of QTC operations.
A Social Enterprise
By definition, a social enterprise is an organization that applies practical business concepts to achieve philanthropic goals.
The House of Learning adopted this concept when it recently acquired a contract to operate a boarding school called Valley View Secondary.
Friends of The House of Learning supports the structural and educational development of this boarding school. We are confident that in doing so, we are supporting a venture that will financially sustain HOL operations that provide free education to underprivileged children.
Our Objectives Are...
For the Quality Training Centre:
For Valley View Secondary Boarding School:
Facility Renovations
Valley View was acquired by the House of Learning in poor condition. Due to the lack of adequate facilities and quality education, Valley View is presently struggling to attract students from higher income families.
In assessing the competition and reviewing government suggestions, we have compiled a list of necessary facility renovations with their respective costs.
Click below to see the list.
Valley View Renovations.pdf
Quality of Education - Let's Make Learning FUN!
Music and Sports
Music and sports are not only therapeutic, but can also promote healthy lifestyle and teach valuable skills in areas such as discipline, teamwork, and leadership. We plan to introduce music and sports programs to both Valley View and the Quality Training Centre.
Interactive Learning
Children learn when they are actively engaged and having fun. Our aim is to teach the teachers new techniques to enhance the learning experience for the students at Valley View and the Quality Training Centre through a variety of educational games and activities.
Advertise
To attract 150 paid students, Valley View will require advertising through various channels such as radio and television.
Click below to see the cost for advertising.
Valley View Advertising.pdf
We are a team of inspired volunteers, dedicated to making a difference through sustainable change.
Will you join us?
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
We are recruiting volunteers for the following positions:
Click on the links above to view the position details and requirements. Please email all applications to info_friendsofhol.com
Other Ways to Get Involved:
Treasurer.pdf
Youth Connect Program Coordinator.pdf
Volunteer Graphic Designer.pdf
Volunteer Event Planner.pdf
Volunteer Marketing and PR Coordinator.pdf
Every little bit counts...
Please click on the donation button below to make a direct contribution to support sustainable projects at the House of Learning.
We have set specific monetary goals based on the projects we wish to complete. To learn more about our projects, and to view their respective cost breakdown, click here.
We are currently experiencing difficulties with our Pay Pal account. If you wish to make a donation to support our projects, please email us at info_friendsofHOL.com.
Thank you for your support!
Our second fundraiser sold out with over 160 people in attendance. We raised just over $4000.
Funds were combined with what was left over from our last fundraiser, and used to complete the toilet renovations and begin construction of the boys' dormitory.
Our first fundraiser raised just over $800.
We used this money to purchase textbooks which will be used at Valley View and at the Quality Training Centre.
The remainder of the money was saved to fund our next project (toilet renovations).
