Dunedin Helps Africa

The story of Lynn Connell and her struggle to establish the Majengo Orphanage in Tanzania has all the trappings of a thrilling Hollywood movie: car and plane crashes; death threats; and a bad guy to be defeated if good is to prevail, with the difference being, of course, that, for the some 114 children orphaned by HIV/AIDS who now make use of the facility, the consequences of these events are very real.

Now, on the heels of a recent increase in the number of children being cared for by the orphanage, Connell and company are looking to what she refers to as the “original donors” (the first incarnation of the Majengo Orphanage was funded largely by donors from the Creemore area) for help in constructing a new facility, hosting a fundraising party on Sunday, June 17, from noon 3 pm at her Creativity Art Retreat in Dunedin.

“We’re on the verge,” said Connell of the fundraising effort, referring to a recent Toronto party that raised $12,000 for the new facility.
Thus far, approximately $110,000 – including a $75,000 donation from Microsoft – has been raised. A further $190,000 is required if construction on the new facility is to begin this September; a large sum to be sure, but Connell is optimistic. (And with good reason: the story of the Majengo Orphanage is synonymous with perseverance and adaptation in the face of trying obstacles.)

When Connell first travelled to Tanzania in 2006, she taught painting and English at a rickety orphanage that housed 16 children, learning, while she was there, about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the region and the importance of preventative education.

Upon returning in early 2008, Connell discovered that, despite the fact that the orphanage was located on a safari route and tourists were routinely brought to visit and encouraged to make donations, conditions had not improved. It was not until later that she discovered the orphanage was intentionally kept in a destitute state, exploiting the impoverished orphans by using them as a lure for tourists and their money.

The man responsible for this exploitation was named Judica, and, after quitting the orphanage, Connell took up the role of whistle-blower, decrying him in her blog – an action that would, in turn, lead to her life being threatened.

It was then that Tanzanian Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) member Charles Luoga introduced Connell to 52 children from the Majengo community, all of them orphaned by HIV/AIDS and gathered together on the mud floors and within the leaky walls of a makeshift daycare.

Seizing the opportunity to make a genuine impact, Connell – with the help of Luoga – raised enough money to renovate two nearby buildings (thanks largely in part to Creemore area donors), ensuring the children would have a “good home” for the next four years.

Operating costs increased, and it was thanks to the arrival of Matt McKissock of Warren, Pennsylvania – who, upon seeing the squalor in which the children lived, returned home and created the Warren Majengo Foundation to raise money for “food, education, medicine, clothing and accommodation” – that the Majengo Orphanage was able to open officially in 2009 with 55 children under the care of 12 staff.

All the while, Judica and his threat loomed ominously. That is until September of 2010, when Connell received word from Luoga that Judica was being persecuted on charges of sexual assault.

While awaiting court, Judica was killed in a car crash. Consequently, the Monduli District Government agreed to shut down the exploitative orphanages that were under his control along the safari route, selecting the Majengo Orphanage as the only officially recognized facility in the region and entrusting them with 86 more children, bringing the total number under their care, as of January 2012, to 114.

Operating costs rose from $55,000 to $90,000 a year – more than McKissock was capable of fronting – and the existing facilities were no longer large enough to house all of the children. With the 4-year term at the existing facility also ending in 2013, it was decided that a new orphanage be constructed, containing a series of smaller houses on government donated land. This will, in turn, ensure that the children receive more individualized care from their mother figures, as they will be housed in smaller groups. There will also be room for a library with computers, classrooms, art rooms, soccer fields and dining facilities.

Initially, a man named Tom Eberhardt and his wife agreed to fund the new facility, but, tragically, they died soon after in a plane crash while in Africa.
And so, it is by means of fundraisers such as that taking place in Dunedin that the Majengo Orphanage must raise the necessary funds.

Connell will be at the party, along with McKissock, who leaves for Tanzania the very next day to work on the build with the local government.

Also attending will be Laurie Myles and Kim Hickman of Give Get Go, discussing their plan to organize labour for the construction of the new facility.

“It’s incredible what it can do for your heart and soul,” said Myles, adding that Give Get Go is also planning on organizing trips for volunteers who want to work with the children once the new facility is complete.

There will also be a model of the new facility on display at the party, presented by architect Margie Zeidler.

Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by phone at 416-531-6528 or online at Building-Majengo-Creemore.eventbrite.com