TST Intern to Climb the World's Tallest Freestanding Mountain

Since the beginning of May 2014, Ashley Hoy from Toronto, Canada has been completing an internship here with The Small Things as our Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator. Her first major fundraising project, #SmallThingsSummer was a huge success, raising over $23K for our Orphanage Reform Project. Now she's taking on a new personal fundraising project, with a goal of raising $5000 for TST. Read more about her new adventure in this following guest blog.

Guest Blog by Ashley Hoy
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator

Hey everyone!

My name is Ashley Hoy and I'm currently the Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator here at TST. I've been working here for almost 5 months now, and I've already fallen in love with every single one of Nkoaranga's beautiful children. 

After completing and succeeding in my first major fundraising project, #SmallThingsSummer, I've decided to challenge myself yet again with my own personal fundraising campaign. This time however, I'll be completing this challenge alongside the incredible woman who gave me the gift of life; my mother Anna Hoy.

This November, my mother and I will be attempting to (and succeeding!) in climbing the world's tallest free standing mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. We will be embarking on this 8-day trek on November 19th, 2014, all to raise funds and awareness for The Small Things. We aim to raise $5000, with the money going towards funding sustainable and empowering solutions including, but not limited to, children's education, health care, Mama's salaries, outreach project micro-grants, food and housing.

Having spent my past four months getting to know the community that TST supports, I am honoured and thrilled to be able to play even the smallest part in helping provide the kids of the Nkoaranga Orphanage and surrounding community a slice of a brighter future. Sharing the vision of a better and fair world, my mother and I hope that our trek will contribute to giving TST's children a life of endless possibilities. 

My mother and I 

To top it off, we will be climbing with Samba Treks, a social enterprise in which 100% of its profits are channeled right back into the community. Unlike many other Kilimanjaro climbing companies, Samba Treks works to improve porter welfare, providing their porters and staff with fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal treatment. Further, this socially conscious and ethical travel company is also one of TST's amazing sponsors and community partners, whose support is extremely appreciated by the TST family. 

Samba Treks' Tanzanian Manager (Charles Samba)
and his father, who's also a porter!

While the trek will be a strenuous one, being one of the most important challenges of our lives, we can not wait to start climbing and playing our part in supporting the children of Nkoaranga.

Support the Campaign

Please consider helping us reach our $5000 goal and supporting this challenging adventure by donating to our Campaign Page. 

To learn more about my experience here in Tanzania, feel free to check out my personal blog here, or e-mail myself at ashley@thesmallthings.org. 

Thank you in advance for your help! Your support will not go unnoticed and will play a huge part in creating a life of opportunity for each and every child TST supports.

Asante Sana!

- Ashley 

About Ashley Hoy

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Ashley graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelors of Physical Health and Education, as well as acquired her Post-Graduate Certificate in Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College. Upon graduation, Ashley obtained her internship with The Small Things, where she was able to fulfill her career objectives in eradicating poverty and health disparities at an international level. Passionate about improving the physical and mental health status in populations around the world, Ashley is thrilled to be able to utilize her fundraising and marketing skills to create positive social impact during her time with The Small Things.

Outreach Program Success Stories!

Our Outreach Program works with people in the surrounding community through micro-loans and micro-grants, giving them the opportunity to improve their current situation in a sustainable fashion. Although the Outreach Program is growing, its core beliefs are unchanged.  Every new project is carefully considered so that it is tailored to the needs and skills of the individual behind it.  In doing so, we hope to maximise the success of each project. 

Most recently, we've gotten caught up with 4 of the women in the program, with much success to share. Read on to learn more about all of their stories and how their small businesses will help change their lives.

Bibi Anna (Anna's grandmother)

Bibi Anna is a widow with two children living with varying physical health conditions. This comes with a significant amount of stress, along with the struggle to be able to afford food and shelter.  She approached TST and joined our outreach program two months ago, in which we provided her with a grant to start a clothing business. Since then, we are delighted to report that her clothing business is flourishing! She can now pay for the food, shelter and medicines her family needs. Further, at our most recent follow-up, she reported that her life now has meaning. What a fantastic improvement.

Bibi Anna 

Bibi Anna with granddaughter Anna

Jemima

Mother of 3, Jemima was living with her youngest child in a small room she was renting after being left by her husband.  Unable to pay rent, she was then kicked out by the landlord with no place to go.  To make things worse, her youngest child was experiencing heart problems, bringing in an overwhelming hospital bill. It was at this point she came to The Small Things (TST) for help.  Due to her skills in soap making, we provided her with a grant for a powder soap business.  This has been going well: she has received steady customers from her neighbours and now makes enough to pay her rent, electricity bills as well as provide health care and food for both her and her child. Moreover, she is able to spend more time with her little boy!  As with all projects, we continue to monitor their progress, and recently have bought Jemima another bag of soap to help her expand her business.

Jemima with her new soap!

Jemima and her youngest child

Mama Max (Max's Mother)

Mama Max has had a difficult time since her husband passed away several years ago.  During her initial discussions in her first Outreach Program assessment, Mama Max expressed a capability and interest in rearing chicken. TST provided Mama Max with the tools and equipment necessary to build a chicken coop, along with providing her with 10 chickens. Her chicken project is going very well - producing eggs which she can sell and use to provide healthy nutrition for her family.  Amazingly, her hens have also produced chicks despite the cold weather.  When they grow up, they will help to further her business.

Mama Max

Mama Max and her chickens

Chichi

And last but not the least, a young woman named Chichi was recently laid-off by a local shop owner who could no longer afford to employ her without losing money. Chichi was subsequently at a loss for what to do.  TST was able to support Chichi by giving her a grant to start a clothing business.  Chichi managed this project successfully, and used her profits to start a chicken project. Congratulations to Chichi on her success and we hope she will enjoy as much success with this new project!

Chichi starting her clothing business

Chichi with her new Chicken Project!

We are delighted with the achievements of these projects and the growth of our Outreach Program.  It is fantastic to see what an improvement can be achieved with just a little helping hand along with the determination and skills of the women.  The Small Things is very proud to support individuals like Bibi Anna, Jemima, Mama Max, and Chichi in improving their living conditions; however TST would not be able to implement these projects without the help of our generous sponsors. 

Thank you to all our supporters, as these projects could not happen without you! Each and every donation (big or small) has the potential to create sustainable positive change in the lives of these women, and we are extremely grateful for your generosity.

To help more women like Bibi Anna, Jemima, Mama Max, and Chichi, visit our Sponsor Outreach Page.

Now Introducing: Low-Season Volunteer Rates!

Are you interested in volunteering with The Small Things? Could you spare a minimum of four weeks to come out to the beautiful village of Nkoaranga and gain a life changing experience?

With the summer now over, we are looking to recruit new volunteers. During our low-season, from October through to December 2014, we also have special offers with reduced costs for all volunteers! Read on to find out more!

Recent volunteers; Olivia Sinclair, Amy Strevens and Randy Yu at the orphanage.

Since we are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the community, we are less costly than alternative volunteering organizations in the Arusha area. The Small Things is extremely happy to offer such excellent value volunteer costs, and are proud to say that 100% of the fees you pay go directly towards your stay or towards our projects, and NOT towards administration fees.

The following is a break down of our low-season, reduced volunteer rates:

Volunteering Fundraising Expectations

Just to make you guys even more excited about volunteering for us, between October-December, we are reducing the fundraising target from $100/week to $75/week! That's a $100/month savings!

• High Season: Fundraising target of $100/week
• Low Season (Oct-Dec): Fundraising target of $75/week

Accommodation:

• $250 a month to stay at our newly built volunteer compound. This pays for your room with en-suite bathroom, hot shower (power permitting!), basic internet access, 24 hour guard, kitchen, bedding, mosquito nets and a social area.

• SPECIAL OFFER: If you come with a friend and share a room, we will reduce your accommodation fees by $50 per room per month! 

This means if you come with a friend during the low-season, volunteer costs are only a total of $525/month each! Compared to our high-season cost of $650, you'd be saving $125/month!

Alternatively, we can arrange for you to stay with one of our local host families....

• $250 a month to stay with a local family. $200 goes directly to the family, while the remaining $50 covers your airport pick up and drop off, Swahili lessons, basic internet access at the volunteer compound, and volunteer socials.

While we understand that fundraising can be a little daunting at first, we want to help you help our kids. Our Fundraising Committee and fundraising staff are available to help volunteers prepare before they arrive and support them in their fundraising goals. Take a look at our Fundraising page to see our fundraising pack for lots of ideas!

Fundraising for The Small Things by running a half marathon! Just one of many ideas!

Still not convinced? Check our Volunteering page to find out more. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact us at VC@thesmallthings.org with any further questions.

We would love for you to join our team!

Top 5 Places To Visit Whilst Volunteering With The Small Things

Volunteering is not just about hard work day in and day out. We really want our volunteers to have lots of fun, experience the local culture, meet new friends, and explore what Tanzania has to offer. Our on-site Volunteer Coordinator will ensure your stay is comfortable and will organise monthly social outings for all volunteers to areas of interest.

But, that's not all! To give you even more reasons to come volunteer, we've put together a list of our top 5 places to visit whilst volunteering with The Small Things in Tanzania.

1. Safari 

Tanzania has arguably some of the world's best safari parks. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are just two of the most fantastic areas to see Africa's famous "Big Five!" (Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino)

Staff and volunteers having an awesome time together on safari!

2. Zanzibar

This beautiful island situated just off the Tanzanian coast, and only a short flight from Kilimanjaro airport, is a great reason to take a break and relax on the white sand and clear blue water. Further, for the more adventurous, there's unbelievable scuba diving spots, and many historical landmarks to see when exploring Stone Town.

Proof of the beautiful white sand and the clear blue waters in Zanzibar!

3. Mount Kilimanjaro

If you're up for a challenge then the world's highest free standing mountain is certainly the one for you! We've even teamed up with Samba Treks for excellent deals for our volunteers who wish to tackle Kilimanjaro, while at the same time ensuring excellent porter welfare!

On top of the world! 

4. The Maasai Market

A must do when in Arusha! Perfect for presents and any traditional Tanzanian items you may want to take home with you. From bracelets and earrings to clothes, paintings, and traditional Tanzanian art. There really is everything you may want there, and more! Keep some of your suitcase space free!

Give yourself PLENTY of time to get through the rows and rows of stalls, packed full of amazing Tanzanian items!

5. Maji Moto - Hot Springs

A real hit with our volunteers and a popular choice for the monthly volunteer outings. About an hour drive through the savannah, this secret oasis is a truly scenic and peaceful spot, great for a relaxing dip.

Stunning. You could be here one day too!

If you've volunteered with us before and have any other suggestions, we'd love to hear your comments!

A Successful Summer for TST!

The #SmallThingsSummer campaign has now officially come to an end, raising a mighty $23, 260 USD (£14,150)! That's $3000 USD or £1800 OVER our original goal of $20,000 USD (~£12000). It has been a fantastic and successful fundraiser which has shown how small and simple acts can collectively create huge impact. 

All the money raised will be funding the Orphanage Reform Project, to make the existing orphanage a safer, cleaner, and more structured environment to foster optimal growth and development for our kids.

Our board member Marie has been in Tanzania with her family and our team this summer helping to get things started. One of the biggest developments has been creating the separate baby room for babies under 1 years old, producing a safe space for newborns to play where they aren't bothered by the boisterous fun of the older kids.

A great addition are the soft foam mats in the baby room, allowing the babies to move and play around freely, without being concerned with the previous hardwood flooring of the previous play area.

The clothes room is now split so that half of it is just for the babies to play - clearer pictures soon!

We also have new toy storage areas, hugely improved storage for the children's clothes, some more comfortable places to sit, and are moving forward with colour-coordinated uniforms for the orphanage mamas, which the mamas are absolutely thrilled about. The plumbing and lighting have been improved and some of the rooms reshuffled to improve the use of space. The baby room is looking particularly splendid, all ready to be messed up by happy kids.

Baby beds all in a row.

The cots with their lovely animal mobiles hanging above, with those clothes hanging up neatly in the background.

None of this would have been possible without #SmallThingsSummer and the generosity of our supporters. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who took part, whether it was through running a fundraiser or making a donation. You have helped to prove that small actions can make big changes for people who need them.



Thank you!

- The Small Things Team