Families for Families sponsorship program
Kesho Leo children’s village will eventually house 16 vulnerable women, employed as house mamas, and 80 vulnerable children (many of them orphans). Each house mama will become a care-giver to no more than five children. Some of these children will be her own, some will be orphans. Therefore each Kesho family consists of six – one house mama and five children.
Currently, fws has trained 8 house mamas, all with one or more children of their own. These 8 Kesho families are ready to move into Kesho Leo children’s village now – but to enable us to do this we will first need help from you and your 'family' as sponsors!
A sponsoring 'family' could consist of people from your own family, a group of friends, some people from your work, your netball or football team.
Or if you don’t have your own ‘family’ our Sponsorship Program Manager will hook you up with a bunch of other fabulous fws supporters (she’s a tops match-maker!) to form a sponsor family – it’s really easy!
Each family member will also be responsible for ensuring they have set up their own monthly direct debit for payment of their sponsorship and will receive a tax-deductible receipt (for Australian tax purposes) for their payments. So don’t worry, you do not have to coordinate or make ‘group’ payments (phew!)
So we just need awesome individuals to become a sponsor 'family' of 12, and to each contribute $31 to fws every month, to ensure every need (not just the educational needs) of the vulnerable women and children in their Kesho family is met.
Ah, so you get it now – Families for Families – great concept, isn’t it?
Check out the fws Families for Families How it Works booklet for more details of how your contribution will help.
introducing our first graduates from the Kesho Leo house mama training program...
We know they’ll make a fine addition to your 'family' (yep, you bet we’re proud!)
House mama: Bibi Frank
Age: She's not quite sure, but Bibi Frank thinks she's in her eighties maybe...
Children: Frank (12 years) and Hadji (11 years), plus three more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Bibi Frank is a grandmother who was born and grew up in Sinon village. She is a gentle and stoic woman who has outlived all but three of her family. Bibi Frank has watched all of her own children die of HIV-AIDS and many of her grandchildren. Last year, she bid farewell to her last daughter and also two of her grandchildren, 9 months and 6 years old respectively.
The only remaining members of Bibi Frank's family are her three surviving grandchildren - Hadji, 11, Frank, 12, and Maria, 15 - two of whom she cares for. Before becoming involved with fws, Bibi Frank was doing so with the financial support of Brother Paul and Brother Frank (who young Frank was named after 10 years ago, when Brother Frank helped deliver him in the back of a car!), at Edmund Rice Secondary School.
Bibi has no land or home of her own as she was forced from her land by her husband's brothers when her husband died in 1992. She then moved into a rented room in the slum area of Unga Ltd.
In January 2008, fws offered Bibi Frank a position (and soon, a home) as a Kesho Leo house mama. Before accepting, Bibi Frank was determined to ensure her grandchildren's future was secure (including the thorough learning of Kiswahili, not just English). After Bibi Frank accepted her position, fws offered to immediately locate a temporary home for Bibi and her grandchildren, away from the slums and in her hometown of Sinon (while we finish building Bibi's new home at Kesho Leo). Bibi and her grandchildren were overjoyed by the news.
When asked what she might bring to her fellow mamas and children at Kesho Leo, Bibi Frank offered that she could give advice to the younger mothers and give the many children some of her 'wisdom'.
Check out the progress Bibi Frank has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Bibi Frank has for some time been troubled with coughs and colds but the good news is, this year, they’ve lessoned considerably. Now, why might that be?
We might be blowing our own trumpet, but we suspect the fact we found Bibi a much warmer house to live in while she awaits the big move into Kesho, could be the answer. Or perhaps Bibi Frank has picked up some well-being tips in the health classes she attends at Kesho each day.
She’s certainly managed to make sure her grandchildren are getting their dose of health education – she was very proactive in ensuring the three of them attended the two Kesho Community Education Days that covered HIV/AIDS and gender issues.
Speaking of the grandchildren, Frank is loving the education classes being run at Kesho Leo; he’s especially keen on English and maths. Haji prefers to play (go figure!) and is loving all his new-found buddies in the Kesho village.
Bibi hasn’t been shy to take a few lessons herself – she has (ostensibly) been learning to sew – or as she describes it, 'sitting at the machines and pretending to sew!' Now that's a cheeky grandmother!
House mama: Elizabeth
Age: 34 years
Children: Patrick (11 years), Dativa (8 years), Diana (6 years) and Nanci (5 years), plus one more very special child will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Elizabeth previously worked in a chemical factory, but was forced to leave as the work was affecting her lungs. She now sells vegetables and chapattis (local flat bread) to support her children and to help pay rent for a one-room mud hut.
Currently, Elizabeth's local community support her emotionally as the father of her children is known for his drinking bouts and consequent violence. Elizabeth chose to move her children from their father as he 'humiliates' her (this is a word used to describe abuse).
Many community members describe Elizabeth as a 'good mother' – and Elizabeth herself offers that she would never leave her children as they are her 'heart'. Despite her difficult circumstances, Elizabeth maintains a positive and playful disposition, which is reflected in her children who are all polite and carefree.
Elizabeth is determined to learn about health while working with
fws as she wants to know how to stop her children contracting malaria so often.
Elizabeth believes she could care for far more than five children!
Check out the progress Elizabeth has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Where’s Elizabeth? Working in the Kesho Leo shamba (farm), every time! Thanks to the hands-on lessons she’s received from Eve, our fab
fws volunteer with permaculture expertise, Elizabeth is fast coming a hot-shot composter and a whiz at preparing garden beds. Her son, Patrick, isn’t far behind her. He’s growing up fast, and has lovingly taken on the self-appointed role of 'man of the house'.
Patrick 'works' alongside his mama, helping her out with eco-farm chores whenever he’s not studying. Sister Diana also loves to work when she’s not studying, however youngest sister, Nanci, has other ideas. She prefers to play rather than work and informs us that, in fact, she 'never wants to grow up'!
Finally, eldest sister, Dativa, who had surgery earlier this year to repair an umbilical hernia, has recovered well. She was home the day after surgery and was back to her normal self in no time. Well done, Dativa!
House mama: Ester
Age: 30 years
Children: Joseph (13 years), Gladness, also known as 'Nai' (5 years) and Sharon (almost 2 years), plus two more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Ester became pregnant at secondary school. Consequently, she didn't finish her secondary schooling, despite wanting to. Ester's partner stayed with her until her recent pregnancy but then left to marry a new girlfriend.
This situation has left Ester and her children in grim circumstances financially. Ester has rented a very small hut near Kesho Leo in an effort to reduce her rent to an absolute bare minimum.
She supports herself by cleaning a few days per week and also selling chapattis (local flat-bread). Her chapattis do make a profit - but Ester says she is trying very hard to save some of the money she earns, as she wants her children to go to school.
Ester may be battling severe poverty but she is extremely serious about her children's future. When asked what good mothering involves, she responds, 'mother with love and by being close to children so they feel peace.' Ester loves her children very much and says that taking on more is exciting for her - especially if she will be in a position to care for them well.
Check out the progress Ester has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Ester’s enthusiasm for learning about local health issues knows no bounds. Most recently, she learnt about how to prevent dehydration and has been practising this new know-how on her children – keeping kids well hydrated under that hot African sun is quite a challenge, and a fabulous achievement. Ester’s also discovering her artistic side creating posters to get the health message spread across her community. Quite the poster girl!
On weekdays, Ester's son Joseph goes to the local primary school in Sinon, but the highlight of his weekend is the tree-planting techniques he's learning at the
fws eco-education lessons.
Nai, Ester’s older daughter, was sick with malaria earlier this year, but thanks to the treatment she received from
fws, is up and at ’em again. Little Sharon has had bad trot this year as well, but after some time in hospital has bounced back and will soon take her momentous first steps.
House mama: Gladness
Age: 28 years
Children: Rashidi (8 years), and Mariam (6 years), plus three more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Gladness, known locally as 'Glady' is a vibrant young mother, with a gleeful, warm voice and giggle than can be heard for miles. She lives with her parents and brothers on their shamba (farming plot) behind the
fws volunteer village.
Gladness's own father is very supportive of her finding a job and is overjoyed by her employment with
fws. Gladness is well-liked among the neighbours and described by others as a loving mama, good friend and hard-working woman.
Gladness didn't marry the father of her children, who left five years ago after Mariam was born. An accident from her childhood (a fire that set her bed alight) has left Glady with severe scarring on her arms and torso, as well as her face and neck. Gladness is very aware of her facial scarring and believes that she will not find a husband (but she's quick to add that she doesn't particularly want one, either!)
Gladness is very affectionate towards children - her own and other's - and will bring to Kesho Leo children's village her warm-hearted mothering skills, positive nature and happy disposition.
Check out the progress Gladness has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Brave Gladness has made some big decisions this year, considering the scary memories she has of spending so much of her young life in hospital. She’s already gone ahead and had surgery on her arm which will hopefully give her more movement when it heals completely – maybe even enough to hold a bucket on her head. Next Gladness is thinking about whether she’ll have further surgery for her burn scars - a courageous step, but she’s a brave soul.
On the home front, Rashidi is bounding ahead after his tummy problems last year, which had him feeling shy and withdrawn. Now he’s well and truly part of the Kesho Leo gang and loves playing with the other kids in the community too. Go Rashidi! Little sis Mariam is out there too, and can’t wait until her new playmates arrive.
House mama: Helena
Age: 39 years
Children: John (20 years, and staying with his grandmother so he can complete Form 6) and Lilian (16 years), plus four more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Helena’s husband left her when she was pregnant with Lilian, her second child. Helena now lives in a happy Maasai boma (traditional round mud and thatch hut) where she sells vegetables and dreams of helping her own children through school.
She is a vibrant character who enjoys Maasai beading and has recently been employed by fws to teach the other house mamas her skills, and to start producing jewellery as a potential income for house mamas at Kesho Leo. She calls herself an artist. Helena also boasts skills in gardening and cooking, and has in the past held a cooking job for a local school.
Helena follows Lutheran practice and is interested in teaching the children in the Lutheran Sunday School next to Kesho Leo children's village.
She is also extremely interested in learning about health and is excited about working collaboratively with the other house mamas.
Check out the progress Helena has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Helena’s the first to marvel at how her life has changed since she’s had support from fws. It’s been a huge relief to get health advice and medical treatment, especially for the goitre (the enlarged thyroid gland in her neck) that’s been making her feel so ordinary for so long. Fixing this has meant Helena is sleeping better, gaining weight, and has a less erratic heartbeat.
She’s also learnt a lot about living and working with other people, and is over the moon about John and Lilian’s achievements. John wants to go to university to study economics, geography and maths, after he finishes school this year. Meanwhile, Lilian is working hard to achieve her dream of becoming a nurse. No wonder Helena’s such a proud mama!
House mama: Mary
Age: 28 years
Children: Norah (8 years), Happy (8 years, and Mary’s sister and Norah’s aunty), plus three more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Mary is a determined mother who has bravely faced many challenges in life. Mary fell pregnant quite young, only to have the father refuse the baby and try to force her to have an abortion. Consequently, Mary ran away and gave birth alone, under difficult circumstances. Mary says she has experienced violence in her life so hopes for a better life for her daughter, Norah.
Norah has ear problems and her health is Mary's priority. Mary believes that being close to children is the best way to show love and says she would like to help orphans in case, one day, her own daughter becomes an orphan. Mary once worked as a house mama for an Arabian family and loves to care for children.
Until recently, Mary and her daughter lived with Mary's brother-in-law. Mary and Norah now rent a room in a house that is shared by other young families, but looks forward to moving into a new home at Kesho Leo children's village.
fws has been employing Mary to work in the vegie gardens, so that she earns some extra income and is able to pay her rent each week. She is a very hard worker and enjoys working alongside the other mamas on the farm. Despite Mary's difficult life, she shows an admirable determination not to give up and to keep trying to provide Norah with a better life.
Check out the progress Mary has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Mary reckons she was born to do farm work, so the fws shamba is her idea of heaven. She’s a big fan of the sewing and health classes, too. Mary’s younger sister Happy and daughter Norah (an inseparable pair, who were born in the same month of the same year), have now have good things to wear and plenty of fruit and veg to eat. It’s a wonderful sight, the two traipsing off in matching brightly coloured kanga cloth to find Bibi Helen, the fws education manager, for their afternoon lessons at Kesho Leo.
Seeing Norah now, it’s hard to believe that she was really sick with malaria and typhoid earlier this year, and plagued by ear infections. All is now well and Mary is hoping Norah’s schoolwork will go from better to brilliant, because she’s back in peak form.
House mama: Sherida
Age: 46 years
Children: David (17 years), Beatrice (14 years) and Denis (10 years), plus two more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Mswai, who prefers to be called 'Sherida', is a wise, gentle woman with a giving nature. She loves her community and takes great pride in teaching traditional dance.
Sherida's husband passed away eight years ago. She describes him as a good husband. She now lives with her sister whose husband has also died. She feels that her children are now partially orphans, having lost their father, and says she feels a natural love for, and understanding of orphans. When it comes to disciplining children, Sherida is quick to explain that love must always come first.
Sherida says she has many ideas for generating money in the children's village and currently has a business selling bananas. Sherida is excited about having the opportunity to teach business skills and to work with Kesho Leo's younger house mamas.
Check out the progress Sherida has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Wow, just ask Sherida what a difference reading glasses can make! The pair
fws organised for Sherida earlier this year have really changed her outlook. Now you’ll see her scribbling down notes no matter what she’s learning, and especially during the health and sewing classes. She’s also in her element learning how to grow and harvest food, and doing just about any kind of work around Kesho Leo.
Following in his mama's eager footsteps and studying from early morning until late into the night, David goes to Edmund Rice Secondary School where he’s in Form 1.
Beautiful Beatrice likes to cook and wash up (really!) when she isn’t studying hard, but her younger brother Denis has been doing it a little tougher because of his legs. He’s had problems with them for years, which
fws is sorting out with the help of some physiotherapy treatment. He’s gone from being unable to walk far, to working up a mean sprint. Kicking a football around with his buddies is the next goal.
House mama: Oliva
Age: 30 years
Children: Severa (11 years) and Gemini (10 years), plus three more very special children will join them soon...watch this space!
Life story: Oliva has a positive, energetic nature that affects all those around her. In the two-room mud hut she shares with her grandmother, sisters and her children, laughter abounds.
Oliva explains that her much-loved husband passed away five years ago. She now supports her children by cooking and selling chapattis (local flatbread), mandazis (deep-fried sweet dumplings) and chai (local tea).
Oliva loves children and believes that if you are harsh to children, they will not understand what you are teaching them. Like most mothers in Tanzania, she is determined to educate her children and secure their future. Oliva is excited about the prospect of learning new business skills while working at Kesho Leo children's village.
Check out the progress Oliva has made since fws first met her >
Progress Report (July 2009): Composting is a new passion for Oliva, who’s become an eco-friendly agriculture enthusiast since working with
fws. Learning about health and how to care for children has also made a big impact on this lovely mama.
Her children Gemini and Severa are also in on the act, both very excited about moving to Kesho Leo. Severa's looking forward to playing with the little babies, while Gemini is keen to play lots of football with the big kids.
Severa will definitely satisfy her cuddle-quota at the Kesho Chekechea (kindergarten), with 50 children being cared for at one time. That’s a lot of quality koochy-koo action!
can’t wait to hear more?
To request more info or to get signed up, please email
fws Sponsorship Program Manager, Kate McNally
sponsorships@foodwatershelter.org.au.