Ilala, Tanzania Youth Foundation Center

Posted by Bud Jackson 
on Oct 04, 2015
 
Rotary is a vehicle that takes us to new and interesting places.  Charles A. Mbaga is an example, this young man (38 years old) is 10,000 miles away from his home in eastern Africa to solicit funds for his project.  Helped by Alison Clay-Duboff, a Torrance Rotary Club member who spoke to our club in December of 2011 about her experiences in Saudi Arabia.  Alison’s connection with Charles came about as a result of her first husband being from Tanzania.
 
Charles was born and raised in Ilala (ilala) which suffers from poverty, drug abuse (heroin) and disease (HIV/AIDS).  The youth there have no facilities for sports and many are without one or both parents.  Charles has successfully built an outdoor basketball court, but still has many needs.  He believes that sports will keep the kids busy and focused, avoiding drugs, gangs and sex.
 
The Center is not only for sports, it is a friendly place to hang out and expose children to other cultures.  Charles welcomes volunteers from all around the globe to visit the Center.  Counseling single mothers to avoid prostitution, getting girls involved in sports and helping boys avoid drugs, idleness and school drop outs. Teaching them how to achieve better living conditions.
 
Like many other governments, Tanzania suffers from corruption and offers no support for such projects.  The Center needs funds to sustain their efforts.  They would like office space, sports equipment, wages, office supplies and a transportation vehicle.  The budget to accomplish these goals is $20,000 USD.
 
Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in Africa, but has many natural resources and parks.  The parks are home to a variety of wild life on the Serengeti and other parks.  Beautiful beaches on the Indian Ocean, Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Island of Zanzibar and Olduvai Gorge where based on fossil evidence various hominid species have occupied there for 3 million years. Charles invites you to visit and see the beauty that Tanzania holds, have fun and above all be part of the transformation of the lives of the young generation living in ilala.
 
I had the opportunity to drive Charles to the place he is staying in Hermosa Beach.  During the ride I learned he really likes the United States.  He is impressed that people of so many different cultures have come together in our melting pot, the fact that people obey traffic rules, there are so many different types of cars and that this is a safe place to live.  I asked if he was homesick, his response led me to believe he would prefer to stay here if he could.
 
If you would like to contact Charles you can email him at – charlesmbaga@hotmail.com
 
  Bud (left) is shown with Linda from Rotary and Charles (right.)
 
 
 
Other Newsworthy Notes:
 
With great sadness I want to inform you that Joseph Mouren-Laurens Jr. passed away on October 2. Please hold the family and especially Teri and Dean in your thoughts and prayers.
 
 Mary Jane spent a weekend in Havasu working a 5K color run at Rotary Park.  It was hot that weekend but exciting to know that an entire park was supported by a Rotary Club.
 
What time is it?   Golf Tournament Time!!!
 
The Rotary Club of Paramount is having their 32nd Annual Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, October 26, 2015 at Westridge Golf Club in La Habra, California.  If you are a golfer (even duffers like me enjoy this best ball team play) we would like for you to join us, but most important please help us and we promise to put your contribution to good use. This wonderful event raises money to fund many projects, such as: student scholarship awards, youth forums, clothing needy children, senior citizens' Thanksgiving dinner, youth leadership development, literacy programs and many other worthy causes. 
 
We ask your support in one of the following sponsorship opportunities:
$100 "Tee Sign Sponsor" (A sign with your name at the golf course.)
$500 "Silver Sponsor" (A scholarship in your name will be awarded to a Paramount High School graduate or you may designate a project of your choice.)
$1,000 "Gold Sponsor" (Your name shall be listed in our golf program as a Gold Sponsor plus a scholarship or other designated Paramount Rotary project.)
                                                                  
Please take a moment right now, to make a check payable to the Paramount Rotary Club, and send it to P.O. Box 1988, Paramount, CA 90723. Your generosity in helping those less fortunate will be greatly appreciated. Together, we can make our world a better place!