Isn't it fabulous when like-minded organisations join forces and create something wonderful and life-changing for people in a far-off land? That's exactly what the organisations that sponsor a fws project do, when they commit to donating a certain amount of money to cover a certain aspect of a fws project overseas. Currently, fws is focusing its funding and energy on building and operating Kesho Leo children's village in Tanzania, East Africa.

Some of the projects we are still hoping to find project sponsors are listed on our shopping list.

If you'd like to know what fws can do for you in return, download Becoming a fws Project Sponsor.

Meantime, fws is proud to announce that the following organisations are contributing funding to Kesho Leo children's village, in Tanzania, East Africa:

Golder Trust for Orphans

Improving lives through sustainable solutions...

Golder Associates Corporation is a global ground engineering and environmental services group. As part of their commitment to sustainability, Golder Associates formed Golder Trust for Orphans in 2003. The Trust supports sustainable development projects, with a focus on organisations that provide services for orphaned or displaced children and families in Africa, particularly families and dependents of people living with HIV/AIDS. This makes them a perfect match with fws!

In August 2009, Golder Trust generously agreed to contribute $22,414USD towards a solar system to power Kesho Leo children’s village. These funds will provide solar power for the sleeping boma accommodation units, the early learning education centre, and the health clinic. The solar system will help Kesho Leo have reliable, safe, self-sufficient and cost-effective lighting, some general power outlets, and eco-friendly refrigeration, all thanks to the sun – and Golder Trust!

The Trust keeps an eye out for sustainable initiatives, and knew they were onto something good when they visited Kesho Leo. They are keen to work with fws to assist in and promote the sustainable development of fws’s eco-friendly children’s villages.

fws looks forward to your partnership, Golder Trust for Orphans!

Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation

The Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation began in 1973 as the J.B. Were & Son Charitable Fund. The Foundation supports Australian charities, with a particular focus on innovative projects for disadvantaged youth.

In June 2009, the Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation awarded a generous grant of $19,329AUD to fws, for the fit out of Kesho Leo's bathroom, laundry, kitchen and sewing room. The funds enabled fws to deliver rainwater to the kitchen and covered the costs of cookware, plastic storage, benches, cupboards…and even four kitchen sinks!

Kesho Leo’s house mamas were delighted to be able to upgrade their few basic machines to good quality sewing machines and overlockers, with the funds for the sewing room. This will help the mamas develop their successful hobby sewing (already selling well at local markets) into a small business. fws provides training and assistance in small business management and setting up savings schemes.

Other items covered by the Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation grant included buckets, toilets, doors, a stepladder, and a clothes line…all helping to create a comfortable and functional home at Kesho Leo for the house mamas and children.

Thank you, Goldman Sachs JBWere Foundation!

lonely planet

Lonely Planet have been publishing the most trusted travel guides and much more for travellers for more than 30 years.

As passionate travellers themselves, the Lonely Planet team like giving something back to the incredible places that have inspired them for so many years.

The not-for-profit organisations that Lonely Planet support are based mainly in the developing world, and focus first and foremost on health and education, and secondarily on conservation and environmentalism.

Hey, that sounds like us! And apparently it is - fws are incredibly grateful for Lonely Planet's generous financial support!

planet wheeler

After selling the majority of Lonely Planet in 2008 to BBC World, Tony and Maureen Wheeler still wanted to continue supporting non-profit organisations and projects around the world, and so set up the Planet Wheeler Foundation.

Planet Wheeler have been incredibly generous to fws, paying for all the setup costs for the Kesho Leo permaculture systems and grounds. The $36,000AUD grant is paying for things like the biogas system, livestock sheds, livestock, irrigation systems and more that will feed our mamas and kids, as well as provide a sustainable income for the project.

Not only that, but Planet Wheeler were also incredibly supportive in helping cover many of fws's expenses relating to the tragic incident on 30 June 2008, for which fws is truly grateful.

Thank you Planet Wheeler.

aussies for orphans

These fantastic Aussies spend all their time fundraising for not-for-profit organisations that look after orphans (you know, such as fws!). After a two-month volunteering stint at Kesho Leo children's village in Tanzania in 2007, AFO's Janelle Gibson convinced AFO board members, Sue and Steve Lewis to pop in and check us out.

fws managed to impress the visitors enough for them to grant funding of $36,000 to cover six of eight Kesho Leo sleeping bomas being built at the time. fws enjoys a magnificent, warm, fun and friendly relationship with AFO and are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support, particularly over the past year. We look forward to continuing our journey with them in coming years!

Thank you Aussies For Orphans.