Overview

Village Africa is a charity working in Tanzania, East Africa. It is based in a village called Yamba, high in the West Usambara Mountains in the Tanga region. It is alleviating poverty. Its work is in health and education. Locally it is known by the Kisambaa name ‘Vyaadahikana’ which means ‘It is possible’. Village Africa runs a life-saving ambulance service from the remote villages of Yamba, Milingano and Makanya in the mountains to hospital in town (3 hours drive on rough terrain). Emergency trips are given free of charge to patients who are seriously ill (medical conditions include malaria, snake bites and broken bones) and pregnant women having complications during childbirth. Otherwise, it is a 2 day walk to hospital for patients. Village Africa has reduced the death rate. The charity holds health seminars for schools and the community in local languages (Kiswahili and Kisambaa). It has a child sponsorship scheme supporting pupils in kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. The student sponsorship scheme extends to vocational training and higher education (certificates, diplomas and university). Primary school uniforms and sweaters are made by local craftsmen. The NGO uses skilled local builders and carpenters to construct classrooms, school toilets, water tanks, desks and book cupboards. Local materials are used wherever possible. It provides school textbooks, school stationery and sports equipment as funds from donors permit. It runs a small community library with storybooks in English and Kiswahili and primary and secondary school textbooks covering the syllabus set by the Tanzanian government. Village Africa organises farming advice on crops and livestock for local farmers. Men and women attend short courses on organic farming and post secondary school students are sponsored on longer agricultural courses. The villagers have a great thirst for development. The charity has the support of the community and Tanzanian government.