Community Centre

The main goal of the project is to decrease poverty and to improve the health and nutritional status in the area of Shimbwe and it’s neighbours. Being a central point for communication in the community is also one of the objectives to enable people to strengthen their potential and thus develop the community and lead to a better life for all.

The lack of childcare facilities reduce the income that women can earn or even leads to unemployment. By building a Miinjeni Community Centre the economy will increase about 80%.

Beside the economic situation, the lack of knowledge about health and nutrition also leads to reduced development of the most vulnerable groups like small children. Parents have to get education and the Miinjeni Community Centre in Shimbwe will provide seminars to improve parenting and nutrition. It will also be possible to organize seminars and meetings in the Miinjeni Community Centre`s facilities.

The centre will house the following facilities:

• A daycare centre
• Seminar rooms
• A pharmacy
• A shop for animals feeds
• A computer room
• An office for the staff
• And a room to accommodate volunteers

In the first phases the land was sanctioned from the community government and the building was established with donations but funds are needed to finalise the building.

The remaining costs to finish the building are 21,625 USD and any donations are very warm welcome! In addition to the community centre we plan health and nutritional trainings as well as initial home visits to reach those most in need. This will cost 9,076 USD.

For further information please contact us!

The reason why Miinjeni decided to build a community centre was that the women of Shimbwe area needed to carry the small children on their back all day. This resulted in difficulties to sell home-farmed products at the market and to unemployment. By having a Day Care Centre the families can leave their children at the Day Care Centre during the day and walk or take the local bus to the market in town and sell that kind of vegetables or fruits they grow in their farm/garden.

It is not only the women that gain from having a local Day Care Centre. The children do not have to be left home and during the day they get food, someone is looking after them, they have other children to play with and this at a place that is suitable for children.

Miinjeni has also sponsored a woman to graduate as a Montessori teacher. She will be at the Day Care Centre to help the kids in their development but also to guide the families about food and hygiene.

Because the mothers will meet while leaving their children or picking them up they will get in contact with other mothers and the Day Care Centre will have seminaries for the families to get a greater understanding about the importance of proper food and good hygiene. This will result in more knowledge and social interaction.

It will also be possible to organize seminars and meetings in the Day Care Centre’s facilities.

We are still searching for more funding to continue the construction. If you want to be a donor please contact us: minjeniwomengroup@yahoo.com