Care centre seeks sponsors for children

ARUMERU: A COMMUNITY care centre in Arumeru District has appealed for support to enable 20 vulnerable children to begin primary school, saying declining donor funding is threatening their access to education.

The children are under the care of Ngarasero Community Organization in Usa River, which has been supporting children from vulnerable families since it was established in 2018.

Centre Manager, Ms Zuhura Igwe said the children need sponsorship to start primary school and continue with their education.

“We want these children to have the opportunity to begin primary school and continue their education, but they need sponsorship to make that possible,” Ms Igwe said.

She said the centre also needs support for basic needs, including food and clothing, after assistance from foreign donors declined.

The organisation has supported about 75 children since 2018, with some progressing to secondary school through sponsorship.

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“Some of the children we supported from a young age are now in secondary school and will continue receiving sponsorship through higher education,” she said.

Ms Igwe said the lack of permanent premises remains another major challenge, forcing the centre to spend money on rent instead of directing more resources to the children’s welfare.

“We wish we had our own premises so our activities could be sustainable. Currently, we have 50 children aged between two and five receiving early education before joining nursery and primary school,” she said.

She called on individuals, organisations and other well-wishers to support the centre so more vulnerable children can access education.

Form Two student, Sharifa Juma of Haradali Winners Secondary School thanked the organisation for sponsoring her education.

“I am grateful for the support I received, and I will work hard to achieve my dreams,” she said. Another beneficiary, Form One student Bahati Hamadi of Usa River Rehabilitation Secondary School, said she hopes to help other vulnerable children in the future after benefiting from the programme.