Pole Pole

Pole Pole is a project which is run by Kisedet, the Kigwe Social Economic Development and Training.  Kigwe is a small village just outside Dodoma Tanzania, East Africa. Kisedet is the brain child of an Italian couple, Nino and Giovanni, who live at the village.  They also run an orphanage in Dodoma and an excellent pizzeria in Dar Es Salaam.  The village has polytech type classes which provide training.  There is also a section not unlike an economic development unit, where pupils learn skills which can be used to provide an income for them.  One of these is project for growing gourmet mushrooms,  which the group hope to sell at the local market in Dodoma.  Dodoma is the political capital of Tanzania, with a population of 400,000.  There are 40,000 AIDS orphans in Dodoma.  Many of these children are living with their extended families and have no income or way to generate any.  The complex has a small farm where students can learn about how to care for animals, and workshops where students can learn to cook and sew, as well as learn metal and woodwork skills.  The purpose of these is to teach the children how to make tools or garments to sell at the local markets.  There is a market at Kigwe on Fridays, another larger one close by, and several at Dodoma. There is a bore near Kigwe village, around which a fantastic lush garden grows mangoes, pineapples, and a huge array of vegetables.

Halima is the first student we sponsored for the years 2007/2008.  The school years run on the British system from September to June.

A two year sponsorship to Kigwe unit provides a child with an opportunity to be able to earn a living and/or help their families or village to farm and develop new skills.  Many of the children sponsored return to their villages to help with farming or set up small cottage industry type projects.  The sponsorship of 240 Euros per annum covers education and full board for pupils. Polson Higgs staff have set up a baking roster, and just using the proceeds of Friday baking for staff, have paid for one year of Halima's training, supplementing a donation for one year from another donor.  We are currently waiting advice of the name of the child we will sponsor for the next two years.

<< Back to Community Involvement