The Kisangaji Project is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps support the village of Kisangaji, Tanzania by providing support to both the Primary School and the village of 4000 inhabitants. Founded in 2008 by Lisette Wright, the Project focuses on supporting the village's primary school and infrastructure needs. All proceeds raised go directly into supporting the village or into fundraising efforts. The Board of Directors is an all- volunteer Board whose reward is in helping those in this remote village thrive.
Our Mission Statement To aid in the development of the village Kisangaji, Tanzania by supporting the Kisangaji Primary School and to enhance the well-being of the villagers by providing assistance with basic health care and other needs. Every human being deserves a chance to thrive.
What Have We Done Since 2008? With our advocacy with the local government, your donations, and with significant private funding out of the Founder's pocket, these changes have improved village life in the last 13 years:
1. Village Infrastructure: 4 water wells, 1 solar-powered water well in construction, construction of three houses (one for a doctor and two for teacher's), classrooms, cement bridge over the River separating the village, and ongoing water-well maintenance. Electricity came to the village in late 2017. New teachers restrooms and medical clinical expansion and improvements have been made possible with the Projects funding.
2. Primary School: Textbooks, sporting equipment, desks, blackboards, classroom supplies, copier/printer, laptops, school uniforms and notebooks.
3. Medical Clinic: From 2008-2015, the medical clinic in the village was virtually abandoned and little used. After construction of the doctors house with project money in 2016, the government sent Stephan--the village doctor who has been there since 2017. In 2019, he and his wife had their first child and they have made a nice home for themselves next to the village dispensary (medical clinic). His education is the equivalent to the USA's physician's assistant. Supplies purchased by the Project for the dispensary including basics such as antibiotics, Tylenol, IV stands, blood pressure machines, syringes, and other items.
Access to clean water, a medical clinic, and electricity: YES, a lot has changed and been accomplished since 2008!
Want to volunteer, participate, or travel to Kisangaji?
Contact Lisette Wright for information: help@kisangajiproject.org.
If you would like to contribute, your donation is tax
deductible, 97-98% of the donation goes directly to Kisangaji. Just click below:
2022 Trip Report: The Project was able to bring a substantial amount of donations to the village. Donations were used to accomplish the following: complete a 4-room boarding house for teachers, complete improvements to the medical clinic by resolving the clinics debts, purchase furniture for both the school teachers and for the Village Executive Officer's office, provide children with school uniforms and supplies for the school operations. Noted were substantials investments by the government in the medical clinic, including a large water tank so there will not be a shortage of water when children give birth. There are also very moden restroom facilities now at the clinic. Stephan the Doctor, reports that the government has improved in the regular delivery of simple supplies (antibiotics, gauze pads, pain relief, syringes, anti-fungals, among a few). However, he does run out of these supplies before the next shipments have been arriving. They are currently needing funding to finish building a hand-washing basin. He would like for all visitors coming to the clinic to wash their hands before coming in.
Medical Conditions found in the Village: Malaria, HIV, Typhoid, Worms, GI disease, urinary tract infections: these are the top medical problems the villagers face. And, there is still a substantial part of the population who view illness as a weakness and are ashamed to go to the medical clinic for assistance. Both he and the nurse do try to educate people, but for some Traditional Mbuwgi elders, this is the way they know how to live life.
Success: Challenges and Resiliance in Kisangaji
To read about the actual process of building a teacher's boma in 2011, including news about the village, the hardships and determination of everyone to see this project completed, go to the blog that was kept during the stay in Kisangaji.
Below is our 14-minute film about Kisangaji, the teacher's house construction, and the urgent need for access to clean water. Please watch this video and consider making a tax-deductible donation to help bring clean water and support to the village.
The Kisangaji Project 5721 Emerson Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55419
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