Bildung ist Leben - Elimu ni Uhai (BILENU)

About us

We are a group of volunteers who, under the "Weltwärts" programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), lived and worked in charitable institutions in Tanzania for nine months in 2009/2010. During this time we met some youngsters who told us about their future plans and dreams. Often they longed to go to secondary school, but did not have the necessary funds. Back in Germany we met many young people who were eager to learn about other ways of life. Our idea originated from these experiences: the intercultural education project Elimu ni Uhai - Education is life - was born. It seeks to:
• promote global learning in Germany,
• promote the education of children and youths in Tanzania,
• provide mutual exchange

The project consists of several modules: correspondence by letter, project days in Germany and enabling Tanzanians to go to school. In this way, school students from both Tanzania and Germany benefit from "Education is Life" – Elimu ni Uhai (BILENU).

Activities
For young people in Germany:
• By their sponsorship, pupils in Germany can learn to take responsibility for others, develop awareness of the inequalities in the world and understand what a privilege education is. Their contact with the Tanzanian schoolchildren also increases their understanding of the diversity of our world and their awareness of development issues. On request, we organize project days appropriate for the age group involved, or provide educational materials on various Tanzanian topics, such as the country, lifestyle, language, culture and religion, or topics in the area of globalisation, fair distribution, fair trade, and development policies. The class takes on a sponsorship for at least one school year. They commit themselves to provide a certain amount over this period – e.g. by sponsored runs, or by selling artwork they have produced themselves. This demands creativity and initiative.
For young people in Tanzania:

• The project supports young people who do not have enough money to attend secondary school. Sponsorship makes this financially possible. Contact with the student from Germany also gives them a realistic picture of life in Germany and a more diverse view of the world .
We work at two sites in Tanzania:
• In Dar es Salaam we work with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, who run the Kizito project school, among others. Here, young people are prepared in a transitional class specifically targeted to secondary school. This is made possible by donations.
• In Moshi, we work together with the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, who run the Upendo orphanage and Children's Home. With the help of donations, they also provide education for the children of employees.


Carina Schuck is the Chairman of the association.

On request we can offer other net participants advice, give a presentation, and provide up-to-date information and contacts in the field of our work.