News on Freunde der Endarofta e.V.

Agricultural project near Mapilinga strengthens local families

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Brother Eli with the new tractor

The current 'tractor'

Although there is a primary school and some basic facilities, the living conditions of many families are difficult: incomes are low, infrastructure is limited, and access to clean water, healthcare and secure employment is often restricted.

To improve the situation, Brother Eli from Bugando Hospital was given about 10 hectares of land for food production. The land is cultivated together with residents from the surrounding area of Mapilinga. Field workers receive an above-average wage of 5,000 Tanzanian shillings per day (approx. €2) — nearly twice the usual income for agricultural labor in the region. This is possible because the project is not profit-driven but intended only to be self-sustaining.

News from the scholarship students at Endarofta

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Supported students and Sister Sindano with Kirsten and David

All supported pupils were successfully promoted to the new school year and delivered strong overall results. This underlines the continuous positive development within the support program.

A special mention goes to Hansi, who achieved very good marks in his final exams. He is now eligible to attend high school, and we are currently looking for a suitable sponsor to secure the long-term funding for his next phase of education.

Christmas Joy in Ibondo: A Celebration for 230 Children Thanks to Donations

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0100

In 2025, a particularly special Christmas celebration took place in Ibondo once again – made possible by the generous support of numerous donors.

A total of 230 children participated in the celebration and experienced an unforgettable day full of joy and community. For many of them, such a celebration is anything but a given. All the greater was their excitement when, in addition to a shared Christmas meal, there were also drinks and small gifts. Particularly popular this year were T-shirts, which were handed to the children with beaming smiles.

Project Visit Tanzania

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In October 2025, we will visit the projects supported by the association in Tanzania. We are very much looking forward to meeting the people on site, advancing our projects together, and celebrating partial successes.

Our journey takes us through Tanzania in several stages and can be followed in detail on our travel blog.

Here are some highlights:

Visit to the Ibondo Education Center.
Visit to our first scholarship recipient Arnold at his new high school.
Visit to the Endarofta Secondary School and participation in the graduation ceremony of the current class.
Opening of the school for children with disabilities in Dareda together with the main sponsor of the construction - Selbach Machinery.
Visit to the Kindergarten in Dareda, supported by the association.
Visit to the Massaid village Egurtoto to plan a water project.
Visit to the Children’s Home in Esilalei, opened in January.

Blog

Anold Receives Admission to High School

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0200

As we have already reported, Anold completed Form 4 at Endarofta last year and has now been waiting to see if he will be admitted to high school. To gain entry to high school, students must successfully pass the Certificate of Secondary Education Examination after completing Form 4. Depending on their grades and subject choices, students are assigned to secondary schools centrally via a government system.

Access to quality high schools is highly performance- and capacity-dependent, which is why many talented youths do not get a place despite good results. Thanks to the good education Anold received at Endarofta Secondary School, he has managed to secure a spot. We congratulate him very much on this! Even more, we are pleased that his previous sponsor has decided to also finance Anold’s high school education. A heartfelt thank you!

Project Week Starkenburg-Gymnasium Heppenheim

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0200

For the third time, our association was able to accompany a very special project week from 30.06.2025 to 03.07.2025 at Starkenburg-Gymnasium in Heppenheim.

For four days, 11 curious students embarked on a journey to get to know the people, culture, and traditions of our partner school, Endarofta Secondary School in Tanzania, better — and to share this knowledge with others.

Our goal was to give students a lively insight into life in Tanzania. Additionally, they jointly organized the introductory service for the new fifth graders to foster a sense of connection with our partner school from the very beginning.

Flea Market Beedenkirchen & Visit to the Flea Market at Schillerschule

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The goal of the activities was to raise funds and donations for our ongoing projects, and thanks to the active support of our members and donors, we can look back on successful days.

Generous donations allowed us to fill our flea market tables once again with a variety of well-preserved items waiting for new owners.

There was everything from books and household goods to small treasures.

As in previous years, the traditional fabrics and the hand-crafted items from Tanzania, such as bags, aprons, pot holders, etc., were particularly popular. Everything was lovingly made by tailoring shops located directly around our projects. By selling these products, we not only support our project but also help local artisans.

News from Dareda and Esilalei

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0100

In February of this year, club member Cornelia Engel traveled to Dareda and Esilalei to visit the projects she is leading. The journey first took her to Dareda. There, groundbreaking was held for the urgently needed comprehensive renovation of a school building for children with disabilities. The conditions on site were challenging, and we are pleased that a generous donation makes the project possible. The company Selbach Machinery L.L.C provides the necessary funds for the entire renovation of the building! Many thanks at this point!

Updates on the Sponsorship Students

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0100

At the start of the new school year, we want to update you on the sponsorship students of the Freunde der Endarofta e.V.:

Anold took his final exams at Endarofta Secondary School last year. These are standardized nationwide. Whether he passed this final exam and receives admission to the high school will be known in the coming months.

Linah was promoted to the next grade, Form 2, after a successful first year. Difficult exams await at the end of the year. Similar to the end of secondary school, national comparative tests are also taken at the end of Form 2. We wish her good luck!

Jakobi Donation Marathon

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Our organization wins €150 for the water project at Ibondo Education Center We are very pleased to announce that our organization has won a donation of €150 at the Edeka Jakobi donation marathon in Lautern.

A total of ten organizations participated in the event.

With each purchase over €50, customers received a donation chip, which they could assign to one of the participating organizations. The distribution of chips determined which organization received which place and, consequently, the donation amount.

Project Week Starkenburg-Gymnasium Heppenheim

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0200

This week, the project group focused once again on engaging with Tanzanian culture and our partner school, Endarofta Secondary School. 15 students participated in the project week.

The goal of the project week was to prepare the Endarofta Day for students in grades 5 to 7, to introduce them to the country, culture, and partner school, as well as to prepare the inaugural service for the new 5th graders.

Day 1. Introduction to Land and Culture

Nursery room at Endarofta Secondary School

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Thanks to a generous donation from Automobile Gath in Heppenheim and the support of students from Starkenburg-Gymnasium in Heppenheim, a much-needed clinic room was established at Endarofta Secondary School, available separately for boys and girls.

These important facilities were created by renovating an old dormitory, which now serves as a retreat for students when they need medical care.

This essential space was created through the renovation of an old dormitory, now serving as a refuge for students needing medical attention.

Flea Market Beedenkirchen

Sun, 26 May 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Once again this year, we as an association took part in the flea market in Beedenkirchen to raise funds and donations for our projects.

Thanks to several donations from our members, the flea market table was quickly filled with all sorts of items ready to find a new home.

In addition, traditional fabrics and homemade items from Tanzanian tailors were offered again. All sewn items come from the region of our projects.

News about Partner Students

Sat, 20 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Our longest-sponsored child, Anold, has successfully been promoted to Form 4. He is now entering his final year at Endarofta Secondary School. Upon successfully completing secondary school, Anold can hope for a place at a good high school. We wish him much success in his final year!

Furthermore, Freunde der Endarofta e.V. has decided to include another child in the sponsorship program. Linah will attend Form 1 at Endarofta Secondary School starting this school year. We also wish her all the best on her journey!

Sustainable Water Supply and Christmas Joy in Ibondo

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0100

Thanks to generous donations, the water supply in Ibondo has been secured again this year. Our water project currently ensures that 45 families in Ibondo have access to clean drinking water. This basic supply is invaluable for the health and well-being of the local people. With access to drinking water, children from the supported families can participate in rudimentary lessons at the Ibondo Education Center.

Children with new clothing

Christmas at the Ibondo Education Center

Christmas in front of the Ibondo Education Center classrooms

We are glad that, through your support, we can continue to contribute to improving living conditions in the region as well as to the education of the children.

Introductory Service for the 5th Grades of Starkenburg-Gymnasium in Heppenheim

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0200

As part of the services in the first week after the holidays at Starkenburg-Gymnasium Heppenheim (SGH), which were held for both our new fifth grades and the entire school community and were themed “Stand Firm,” the partnership between SGH and the “Endarofta Secondary School” in Tanzania was introduced. Two students explained on behalf of the entire project group what goal we pursue through the sponsorship with this school in Tanzania and how the donation funds will be used in the near future. In line with the theme “Stand Firm,” these additional financial resources can help establish a certain foundation that will enrich the students’ further educational journey. As already reported, the donations are used, for example, for the purchase of SIM cards and webcams to promote exchange between the two schools. A first major milestone, the establishment of a sickroom, was already realized with the proceeds from the project week, which we are very proud of. During the project week, students worked in small groups to develop an introduction to our school and its special features, which can be viewed by students in Tanzania. We look forward to the presentation of the school in Tanzania by the local students.

Project Week Starkenburg-Gymnasium Heppenheim

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Through one of our members, we as an association have had contact with the Starkenburg-Gymnasium Heppenheim (SGH) since this year. Together with the teachers of SGH and Endarofta Secondary School, our goal is to establish a partnership between the two schools. As a first step, we supported a group from the association during SGH’s project week on the topic of school partnership with Tanzania. The aim of the project was to gather ideas to establish a partnership between SGH and Endarofta Secondary School, which will also be supported financially in the future, for example through donations.

Beedenkirchen Flea Market

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0200

On April 30th, a street flea market was held throughout Lautertal - Beedenkirchen. We, as Freunde der Endarofta e.V., also took part. With sunny weather, we welcomed many interested visitors at our booth. The offerings ranged from private items to traditional Tanzanian fabrics and handcrafted products from Tanzania. All proceeds from sales went 100% to the association. Besides many lively and informative conversations, we were pleased to receive numerous donations and several last-minute new members! Once again, heartfelt thanks to all participants, visitors, and donors, and a warm welcome to all new members!

Visit to Endarofta Secondary School

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0200

In April 2023, a member of our association Freunde der Endarofta e.V. visited Endarofta Secondary School in Tanzania. She was warmly welcomed on site by the principal, Br. Nyamba. She brought along some urgently needed sports equipment and balls, which she handed over on behalf of the association. The joy among students and teachers was great. On this occasion, our member was also able to get an impression of the current state of the school—including the computer room financed by the association and other facilities planned for new projects. The visit was another step in strengthening our partnership locally.

Updates from the Projects

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0100

Dear friends of endarofta,
This year again, we want to provide you with an update on our projects at the two schools at the beginning of the school year. We are pleased to report again from the Endarofta Secondary School that all graduates successfully completed their exams. This secured the school’s position in the top third of the national comparison. As last year, six of the graduates are students from the brothers’ sponsorship program. The total number of sponsorships has decreased from 38 to 36.

Belznickel Market

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0100

On December 10 and 11, 2022, the Belznickel Market took place in the Lautertalhalle in Elmshausen. Many clubs, craftsmen, and artists from the region were represented. Our organisation was also represented with a booth. We brought information about our projects and some items from the Tanzanian tailor shop, including bags and pillowcases. During the market, we had great conversations and made contacts with many people. A big thank you for that, and also for the numerous donations!

Updates from the Projects

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 00:00:00 +0100

Anold on his first day of school at Endarofta

Dear friends of endarofta,
a year and thus a school year at Endarofta has come to an end. All 30 students of the graduating class successfully completed their exams. At the same time, the graduates rank in the top third nationally. Six of the graduates attended the school free of charge through the school’s sponsorship program. Overall, the student numbers will increase from 150 to 170 next year. The number of sponsorships also rises from 33 to 37 (38).

Opening of the Computer Room

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Students in the newly equipped learning center with computer room

Dear friends of endarofta,
We are pleased to inform you that we have achieved our goal of establishing a computer room at Endarofta Secondary School. Recently, enough funds were raised for the school principal to place the order for the computers. The school now has 10 fully equipped computers where students can learn to use programs like MS Office. The computers are located in a small learning center that the school has built over the past years. Alongside the computers, there are tables for group study and a small library. This learning center can be used by students outside of class for studying and research.

Corona Aid Reaches the School

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear friends of endarofta,

Thank you very much for promoting the aid project in your community and for continuing to do so.

School principal Brother Nyamba, on behalf of the students and all staff, also joins in this gratitude. He sends us God’s blessing.

Attached are some pictures of the equipment we were able to purchase thanks to your support. This includes masks, thermometers, cleaning supplies, washing stations, and disinfectants. With this, a basic supply for the school has been acquired.

Corona Situation in Tanzania

Sat, 23 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Dear friends of endarofta,

we inform you here about the current situation of the school, as well as the country of Tanzania, against the backdrop of the Corona pandemic.

Tanzania was spared from the global pandemic for a long time. Only at the end of March was the first confirmed case of a local person with Corona reported. Simultaneously, all schools and universities were closed, public events with audiences banned, and tourists had to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Exceptions to public events were church services, which, regardless of religion, were allowed and should continue as usual. Special prayer days related to Corona were introduced, during which locals were called to visit places of worship. No additional measures to contain the virus were taken.

Information Evening

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Source: Bergsträßer Anzeiger

On October 23, 2019, the Freunde der Endarofta e.V. hosted an information event. The chairpersons, David Schellhaas and Kirsten Schellhaas, first provided the 20 guests with an overview of the general conditions in Tanzania. Afterwards, the audience gained insight into the life and everyday circumstances of the country’s residents.

During a break, with Tanzanian snacks, there was an opportunity to view some typical local goods, such as textiles, drums, and carvings.