Upgrade Charity
Through Upgrade Charity, Upgrade Estate enters into a partnership with the Rhotia Valley Foundation in Tanzania. This foundation was set up in 2006 by Dr Joris Koch and Dr Marise Koch-Hekstra and consists of the Tented Lodge and Children's Home. When Nele and Koenraad visited this special place in 2018, they were blown away by the project. Afterwords they decided to contribute to this foundation with Upgrade Estate. Five talented orphans are being supported by various Upkot buildings, so they can realise their dreams. Apart from this initiative, Upgrade Estate supports several other local projects.
Mkiwa Dawi Thuway
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My name is Mkiwa, and I am 24 years old. I was born in Rhotia on 6 January 1995. I've been living in the children's home since it opened on 1 September 2008. I never knew my father, and my mother disappeared a long time ago."
School?
“I went to two different primary schools: Umoja Primary School and Marera Primary School. Then I went to Kilimatembo Secondary School and a private secondary school in Moshi and Tanga.”
Dream?
“My dream is to become a teacher. That's why I'm doing teacher training at Korogwe Teacher’s College in Tanga.”
Sponsor?
“I am being sponsored by Baudelo Upkot.”
Rozina Hamishi Athumani
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My name is Rozina, and I am 19 years old. I was born in Rhotia on 28 August 1999. I've been living in the children's home since it opened on 1 September 2008. My sister, Rosemary, is also part of the Upgrade Charity project. Our mother died in 2007. Our father was an alcoholic so my sister, two brothers and I could not stay with him. So, we moved in with our grandmother, but she also had a drinking problem. Besides, she was too poor to care for the four of us.”
School?
“I first attended Umoja Primary School. Then I went to Kilimatembo Secondary School and a private grammar school in Moshi.”
Dream?
“My dream is to become a doctor. Currently, I am attending Aliance Girls School in Mwanza to prepare for university.”
Sponsor?
“I am being sponsored by Mons Upkot and Backstage² Upkot.”
Justina Amrahani
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My name is Justina, and I am 20 years old. I was born in Rhotia on 11 January 1999. I've been living in the children's home since 1 September 2010. It is the only family I have now. That's why, when I have free time, I do as much as I can to help the little orphans in Rhotia Valley.”
School?
“First, I went to Marera Primary School and then Kilimatembo Secondary School.”
Dream?
“My dream is to become a vet. That's why I'm now taking a veterinary science course at Dodoma college.”
Sponsor?
“I am being sponsored by Timi Upkot.”
Akwellni Baha-Antony
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My name is Akwellnim, and I am 22 years old. I was born in Rhotia on 3 January 1997. I've lived in the children's home since 1 September 2008. My parents are both deceased.”
School?
“First I went to Marera Primary School, and then Kilimatembo Secondary School.”
Dream?
“My dream is to become an electrical engineer. That's why I'm doing a technical course in Arusha. As a trainee I also worked on the construction of a system for solar panels.”
Sponsor?
“I am being sponsored by Ganda Upkot.”
Rosemary Hamishi Athumani
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My name is Rosemary, and I am 23 years old. I was born in Rhotia on 28 December 1995. I've been living in the children's home since 1 September 2008. I have one sister, Rozina, who is also part of the Upgrade Charity project. Our mum died in 2007, and my father was an alcoholic so we couldn't stay with him.
School?
“First I went to Marera Primary School, and then Kilimatembo Secondary School.”
Dream?
“My dream is to become a chemistry teacher. That's why I am now studying chemistry at SUA, a university in Morogoro.”
Sponsor?
“I am being sponsored by Mia Upkot.”
Would you like to have more information about Rhotia Valley
or support the project yourself?
Or are you interested in voluntary work or a work placement?
Then go to http://www.rhotiavalley.com/
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