By REBECCA EPSTEIN Special to the Palisadian-Post When looking at the dire situation of poverty and homelessness in Africa, one often feels overwhelmed. This huge continent, where vast areas are in need of substantial help, makes one feel as though a few measly dollars will make little difference, which is how I felt until I met three orphans from Moshi, Tanzania, who were staying for a month at my neighbor’s house in Pacific Palisades in November 2006. The orphans had been brought over from Tanzania by TunaHAKI, a nonprofit foundation that is establishing a model for the care of orphans and vulnerable children across the globe. Their pilot program is in Tanzania. They brought the three orphans to America to help raise awareness about the dismal situation they face and to give them a glimpse of what the world has to offer. Many orphans are found on the streets, abandoned by their parents, and the three who visited the Palisades–Thomas, Coleman and Abdul–were no exception. Throughout that month, I got to know them. Thomas had an unquenchable appetite for whatever my neighbor Sheryl would cook for him. His face was the definition of happiness when he saw a pile of pancakes waiting for him to devour. It would glow twice as brightly when he found out that more were cooking in the kitchen. Coleman had been abandoned at a bus stop when he was seven. His mom had told him to wait there for her. A week later TunaHAKI found him, still waiting. Abdul had been taking care of his two younger siblings since he was nine, and cried when he received a pair of shoes as a gift. But these were not ordinary kids. At TunaHAKI, they were able to learn acrobatics, a skill they could use in America to help reach more people. These children never ceased to amaze me because they were so grateful for something as simple as a pair of shoes, or a cookie; things that we take for granted, or worse, often throw away after little or no use. Why was it that I had all of these things–a comfortable bed to sleep in, nice clothes to wear, a working shower–and they didn’t? Don’t all children deserve basic necessities? How could it be that some of us have so much, while so many have so little? We complain when our food is not exactly how we like it. They don’t even have food to complain about. I realized that I could use my resources to make a positive difference. I filled five bags worth of unneeded clothes to give to TunaHAKI, and I donated my month’s allowance of $80, which pays for movies, friends’ gifts and clothes. But I knew that if I worked with others, together we could do much, much more. With that goal in mind, I met with Scott Fifer, the founder of TunaHAKI, to discuss ways to make a difference. I started by raising awareness at my school, Palisades High, by starting a club called Reaching Out to Africa (ROTA). At our first meeting, more than 50 people attended. We have held bake sales and sold jewelry, and staffed booths at carnivals, raising more than a $1,000 at just two events. Some of our goals include raising funds to buy a refrigerator for the orphanage and a garden that will provide the children with food, so that the excess produce can be sold at markets, bringing in needed income. Most of all, we are helping to make TunaHAKI a ‘model orphanage’ for the rest of Africa. TunaHAKI currently houses 25 orphans, and is working to expand to house 100. To donate, or learn more about the organization, go to www.tunaHAKI.org. Contact ROTA Co-President Rebecca Epstein at repstein1017@gmail.com.
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