2015 Eco-Challenge
2015 ECO-CHALLENGE
BACKGROUND: Project Zawadi makes a promise to each of our students when they enter into sponsorship that, as long as they put forth their best efforts, Project Zawadi will support them in their education for as far as their studies take them. Once a year, we ask PZ donors to help us keep that promise by making a contribution to the General or Sponsorship funds. This year (for the second time) we are offering our donors the opportunity to increase their support and contribute to a specific ‘challenge’ project that will have a lasting positive impact on the quality of education that the PZ students will receive. This year’s challenge focuses on providing essential electricity, water and food to PZ students and their teachers in a way that is eco-friendly.
NEEDS: (1) Currently there are approximately only 55 teachers working in the 9 primary schools that PZ students attend. There should be approximately 72 teachers. However, the schools have great trouble retaining quality teachers because life can be so difficult at rural schools – no running water, no electricity, a lack of housing, etc. Because of these difficulties, many teachers will jump at the opportunity to take a job in a city. That is why PZ has helped build several teachers’ houses over the years. But we want to take it a step further by providing electricity and access to water to several schools that need it badly.
(2) Agriculture plays a huge role in Tanzania’s culture and economy however, food crop varieties are extremely limited. Essentially, a lack of agricultural awareness contributes to the lasting prevalence of malnutrition in rural Tanzania.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Eco- Challenge will fund the purchase of materials necessary to construct 3 rainwater collection tanks (built with eco-friendly bricks) at 3 primary schools, solar panels for the Vocational Training Center (VTC) and for 10 teacher’s homes and a green gardening educational program at the VTC.
Water Tanks for clean and accessible water: Funds will be used to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies to make the eco-friendly curved bricks that will become rainwater collection tanks. Historically the process for making baked mud bricks required the death of several trees for every structure. This new process requires no baking, it costs less, looks better and builds stronger, longer-lasting structures. Our initial goal is to build 3 water tanks at the teacher’s houses along with rain gutters and necessary materials to provide clean water for each home. The teacher’s homes were built with proper roofing materials needed to be rainwater catchments; now, we just need the water tanks for storage.
Solar power for 10 teacher’s homes and the VTC: Solar panels with appropriate lighting and power supply for 10 teacher’s homes, will transform the life of a teacher and their family. Traditionally, kerosene lanterns have been used in the village homes after the sun sets at about 6 pm, which does not adequately supply lighting for reading and other next day preparations. Furthermore, the fumes from kerosene lanterns are known to be harmful while solar panels are not only eco-friendly, but provide free electricity.
Green gardening practices taught and demonstrated at the VTC: A qualified Tanzanian educator will be hired to teach the students about green gardening practices on a parcel of land purchased with funds from the Eco Challenge. There is a real potential of supplying food for feeding the students at the VTC as well as becoming an income generator for the school or local farmers. Almost all community members have land to grow food on, but having the opportunity to teach the students new concepts in gardening will increase production and introduce a healthier diet. We look forward to the day when the VTC can supply enough produce to meet its own dietary requirements.
BUDGET: Below are the general budget details for the Eco- Challenge. Line item details are available upon request.
Item Cost
Curved Brick Press and Brick Storage Building
Curved Brick Press $3,000
3 Water tanks at $3500 each $10,500
Storage Building $8,000
SUBTOTAL $21,500
Solar Lights and Converters
10 Solar Panels for Teachers Houses $15,000
VTC $5,000
SUBTOTAL $20,000
Green Gardening
Educator $4,800
Plot of Land $1.000
Gardening tools, seeds, shed, pump $3,000
SUBTOTAL $8,800
TOTAL ECO-CHALLENGE $50,300
FUNDRAISING: The 2015 Eco-Challenge will be launched in conjunction with the Project Zawadi Annual Appeal period in November and December, 2015. Project Zawadi is actively seeking individuals and groups who are willing to lead this initiative. Please consider joining us at one of the following levels.
Platinum level – $10,000*
Gold level – $5,000*
Silver level – $2,500
Bronze level – $1,000
Lead donors will be honored in the annual Project Zawadi newsletter and their names will appear on a plaque on at least one of the structures.
These lead donations are crucial to the project’s success as they demonstrate significant progress towards the fundraising goal and act to incentivize subsequent donors to make a donation to top off the effort. Please click here for the Eco-Challenge Pledge Form. Pledges can be fulfilled up until June 30, 2016.
The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Global Goals. Project Zawadi embraces 6 of these Global Goals. The Eco-Challenge addresses three of these Global Goals: #6, #7 and #8.