FOOD FOR AFRICA
The Arusha Committee’s HALO PROJECT sent 280,000 meals to Arusha, Tanzania in March 2008.  In partnership with STOP HUNGER NOW, TRIANGLE PARK LINKS, and various other charities, the FDA approved dehydrated food provided a daily meal to over a quarter of a million orphans, AIDS victims, school children and women.  The 46,000 pounds of food was distributed throughout the 17 districts in Arusha. From this colossal initiative many families will have sufficient food for over a year.  The Arusha Committee will continue to support the need for food in Africa.

PHOTOS
Literacy Through Photography (LTP) – Duke Partnership
The Literacy Through Photography (LTP) project in Arusha, Tanzania, began in 2004 when the Arusha Committee brought in two Tanzanian teachers to the Center for Documentary studies at Duke to attend a LTP workshop.  This workshop was designed to teach teachers how to increase literacy through the use of photography in the classroom.  Building on these relationships and the support of the Arusha Committee, LTP staff and Duke Engage students continue to travel to Arusha to offer workshops to primary school teachers and students. 

Over 650 Arusha students have benefitted from this project and hundreds more will benefit from the resource center, equipped with photographic equipment and teaching materials, that has been established in Arusha by LTP staff and Duke Engage students.  LTP staff and Duke Engage students will return to Arusha in May, 2009 for another eight weeks program.

SUPPORT FOR THE ORPHANS
Citizens of Durham have partnered with the Arusha Committee to sponsor 20 orphans over a two year commitment.  The sponsors provide school supplies and school uniforms enabling 20 orphans to attend school on a regular basis.  This is a continuing project of the Arusha committee.

COTTAGE  INDUSTRY
The Arusha Committee in partnership with Triangle Parks LINKS are assisting AIDS mothers in Arusha to establish a cottage industry to sew school uniforms.  This small group of mothers, who have AIDS and no means of livelihood, will use the sewing machines and fabric provided by LINKS to make and sell affordable school uniforms thus enabling more children to attend school.

PAST AND FUTURE PROJECTS
Over the years the Arusha Committee has engaged in many exchanges and official visits.  The former President of Tanzania, Mr. Benjamine Mkapa and his wife visited Durham in 2005.   Mayor Bill Bell visited Arusha in 2008.  The Arusha Committee has sponsored many projects in the past and will continue to work with our Friends of Arusha to develop sustainable service projects that benefit the well being  of our Arusha neighbors.