STEMM has always been firmly committed to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in regard to all aspects of our ministry. No better example exists than our commitment to care for the orphans of Tanzania.
Since STEMM began its ministry in 1997, we were only peripherally aware of what at that time was a relatively small orphan problem. Little did we know that within the next five years, the orphan population would explode through Africa due to the widespread HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Huruma Orphanage
On one of our early trips we were introduced to the Huruma Orphanage. There we found the children sleeping on burlap sacks on the floor. Their living conditions were deplorable. Nutritious food was meager at best. STEMM “adopted” this orphanage and provided beds, linens and blankets. Teams built a chicken coop and a cow shed and purchased chickens and cows so the children would have a source of protein in their daily diet. It also provided a source of income through the sale of eggs and milk. Generous donations from the USA were used to build a playground and today the orphanage houses 14 healthy children who are going to school and getting three meals a day. On the semi-annual trips, STEMM volunteers always spend a day or two at Huruma to do some “fix-up” projects, buy food for the children and the animals, purchase “new” clothes for the children and take them out to lunch. What an awesome and touching experience!
New Paradise Orphanage
New Paradise Orphanage is located in a very poor area of Arusha. The orphanage houses 17 children. STEMM teams visit these children on every trip and provide them with much needed love, food, clothing and school uniforms. Their kitchen consisted of “pieced-together” boards, a dirt floor and a very leaky roof. Preparing food in the rainy season was a challenge to say the least! The January 2009, STEMM team worked very hard to build a sturdy new kitchen. Upon completion, tears of joy streamed down their faces!
Sombetini
Sombetini is not an orphanage, but a school located in the poorest of the poor area in Arusha. 51 children attend this primary school. On our July, 2006, trip, we visited the school which was 4 poles wrapped in plastic sack material. It had no roof. The pantry was empty and there was no more food for the children. For most children, this is the only meal they get all day. STEMM bought a six-month supply of rice, beans and corn and left money for a roof.
In 2008, the siding had been upgraded to rough lumber. On that trip, the STEMM team built a new classroom out of cement blocks to provide the children with a shelter from the wind and the rain. We continue to purchase clothing and food, as well as routine vitamins and worm medicine. The Head Mistress, Mama Elinaisa sobbing with tears of joy at the kindness and accomplishment of the STEMM team. Her parting words were “I can’t believe that you would do this for us. These are the most forgotten children in the world. Nobody pays any attention to them. Sometimes I get so discouraged, I just want to walk away and never come back. And then the ‘angels’ came! Their love has encouraged me. I cannot thank you enough”.
STEMM Children's Village
We praise God for leading STEMM to these orphan ministries. These experiences have prompted STEMM to move forward in faith and build an orphanage of their own – The STEMM Children’s Village. This village will function more like a home than an institution. When filled to capacity, it will house 180 children. Plans to put the spade in the ground are for summer, 2009.
Orphanage
