This campaign has now closed
In Tanzania half the population live on less than $1 per day and the average life expectancy is just 46. In the areas where we work, over 40% of the population is living with HIV. MondoChallenge Foundation aims to support families who have lost their wage-earner to AIDS-related illnesses. HIV and AIDS can have a catastrophic affect on the extended family and we offer support to the remaining parent so they can live independently once again by helping them to build their own business.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
MondoChallenge Foundation operates a Business Grants Programme in five areas of Tanzania. In parallel, MondoChallenge volunteers (generally business professionals who spend around three months on a placement) liaise with a Board of local representatives, including village elders and staff from local NGOs, to identify families who could benefit from a small business grant from the Foundation. Grant recipients are selected on a number of criteria including their general health and fitness levels, their access to a suitable market and the impact HIV and AIDS have had on their dependent family. With a typical grant of just £65 grant recipients can purchase equipment, such as a sewing machine in order to make clothes, or rent a property to create a small roadside catering unit and start up their own business. The MondoChallenge volunteers are on hand to support the Board, to ensure grants are spent wisely, to monitor progress and to offer regular business advice to the largely untrained grant recipients. This includes information on how to keep basic accounts and advice on reinvesting their income in order to maximise profit. The volunteers also work closely with local Community Volunteers who initially act as interpreters, but over time, learn business skills and advice from the MondoChallenge Volunteer and are eventually able to work independently. Our objective is a model of self sufficiency. The grant recipients are able to support their families and build their businesses, the Board are able to monitor progress made and the Community Volunteers are able to offer constant business advice and support. Appeal Budget Because Tanzania is such a poor country, the donations and grants we receive can achieve a tremendous amount. We are hoping to extend this project to a further 200 recipients this year. We give an average of £65 per grant recipient. We are aiming for a total of £18,000 which includes project management of the scheme both locally and in the UK.