IEFT Raises $300,000 to Fund Secondary Education for Children in Tanzania

Despite the sagging economy and most cutting back on charitable giving this past holiday season, the Indigenous Education Foundation of Tanzania (IEFT), a local nonprofit that provides quality, affordable secondary education to under-served indigenous children in rural Tanzania, raised more than $300,000 in 2009 to support its projects and programs.

"This year proved to be tough for many organizations. When wallets and pocketbooks tighten, it's nonprofits that usually suffer the greatest; ironically, when they are needed most," said Ashley Holmer, co-founder and Executive Director of IEFT. "We were pleased to see IEFT's projects expand and meet all our capital goals for 2009, and we know it wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated donors and volunteers. It is because of their amazing generosity, IEFT looks forward to another successful year in 2010."

Major gifts to IEFT in 2009 included a $62,000 grant from Africa Directo for the construction of two science laboratories, two staff offices and two storage areas; and $25,000 raised by, "A Night for African Education," a fundraising event held in Laguna Beach, Calif. to complete construction of a staff house on the school campus. A partnership with the East African-based company, Chloride Exide Limited, also led to the installation of a solar energy system, providing lighting and electricity to current campus structures. IEFT partnered with Engineers Without Borders to construct a rainwater harvesting system at the school, including a 60,000-liter water storage tank. Engineers Without Borders also received a $12,000 grant to install solar panels that will power new classrooms, computer labs and science labs.

IEFT’s Impact to Date:

80 - Total number of students attending Orkeeswa Secondary School in Lashaine Village since Open Day on April 14th, 2008!
1,000+ - IEFT volunteers, donors and sponsors joining together to make a difference!
80,000 - Liters of safe drinking water provided to students
70 - Goats donated to women’s micro-finance initiatives in the local community
2 - Number of solar panels installed in April 2009 to bring electricity and light to classrooms

IEFT plans on expanding Orkeeswa Secondary School facilities and accepting additional classes until full build-out is reached in 2013. Last year, IEFT raised enough funds to build two new classrooms with two staff offices, two science laboratories with two staff offices and two storage spaces, and a staff house.

IEFT hopes to boost fundraising efforts in 2010 and raise over $500,000 for Orkeeswa Secondary School. Fundraising events will be held throughout the year, around the world. Look for the 3rd Annual Portland Art for Africa event and the 2nd Annual Chicago Night for African Education event, both happening in spring 2010. Other annual events are also planned for Seattle, Laguna Beach, Fresno, Atlanta, Boston, New York and Dublin, Ireland.

About the Indigenous Education Foundation of Tanzania (IEFT)
The Indigenous Education Foundation of Tanzania (IEFT) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community-collaborative organization that provides quality, affordable secondary education to under-served indigenous children in rural Tanzania. IEFT empowers children to positively transform their own lives, improve their communities and break the cycle of extreme poverty, while working to preserve their culture and traditions. Through the development of Orkeeswa Secondary School in Lashaine Village, IEFT provides secondary education to children who have no hope of continuing their education past primary school. The opportunity to receive further education is the key to escaping extreme poverty for students and their families. www.ieftz.org.

Press Contact:
Rachel Wiley
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http://www.ieftz.org