About The Trip.
Since 2004, students in KPR have been raising money and awareness for HIV/AIDs orphans in Kilema, Tanzania and Zomba District, Malawi. Sponsoring children so that they can attend school instantly becomes a life changing experience. Education opens doors but most importantly provides hope.
Principals Stephen Truelove and Jeff Kawzenuk of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board have been involved in African project for a number of years. Assisting Orphans so they can attend school can instantly change the life of a person in the developing world.
Initially, Principals Truelove and Kawzenuk assisted in Rotary-sponsored projects assisting HIV/Aids Orphans, educational sponsorships, refurbishing schools, helping local hospitals – providing shelter for HIV/Aids Orphans, helping fund a HIV Aids Care and Treatment Facility, funding community gardens to assist school lunch programs, funding water projects, creating new washroom facilities for schools, providing assistance for students with special needs, providing computer technology for principals, teachers, doctors and hospital administration, and much more.
In January 2011 for the first time, 14 students from KPRDSB schools travelled with Principals Mr. Truelove and Mr. Kawzenuk to Kilema and worked with HIV/AIDs orphans as well as refurbished local schools.
Since then, 16 students participants have made the trip in 2012, and 18 students this past January 2013.
Taking students to Africa in 2011 was a break-through moment not just for the Kilema, Tanzania students, but more importantly for the students of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. KPRDSB secondary students who have travelled to Kilema often said they received much more from the experience of giving than the HIV/Aids students received from them.
Since 2011, students from Cobourg District College Institute West, Port Hope High School and East Northumberland Secondary School have been taking students to Tanzania ona “Journey of Hope”.
Students who participate in this trip plus students from a number of KPRDSB elementary and secondary schools have raised thousands of dollars for a wide range of projects over the years. All trip participants are responsible for their own expenses to go on the Journey of Hope trips. In addition, to the cost of the trip, students from these three high schools consistently fund-raise nearly 25,000.00 yearly. These students are true humanitarians and great ambassadors of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
With specials thanks to staffs and students in KPR, many projects have been funded which are beginning to show a significant difference in the lives of so many.
Kilema is a small village located on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. As many East African countries, Tanzania was and continues to be impacted by the HIV/Aids pandemic. Poverty is seen throughout the country side. Students who wish to attend school must pay to go to school – often parents cannot afford to send their children to school – making it impossible for most children to receive and education, especially female students. The chances of HIV/Aids Orphans to get an education is even more difficult.
Kilema – despite its challenges of education, employment and healthcare – is a vibrant region. The area is a sage travel destination and many tourist began their hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro from the village of Maranga, a short 45 minute walk from the village of Kilema.
The village of Kilema is home to the Kilema District hospital, four primary schools, one secondary school and one vocational school.