What we’ve done
Constructing the OHS Home Center
In the summer of 2008 OHS began its movement for lasting social change on the grounds of Arusha, Tanzania.
June –
OHS purchased its first piece of land in the rural Mateves Village of Arusha. With the communal help of local villagers and American university volunteers, the transformation of the 2.5 acre plot was quickly underway.
July –
Within a month the land was cleared, the fence was up, bore hole waterlines were drawn, solar panels were installed, and nine traditional Masaai Mud Huts were constructed. Groundbreaking for the home center begins.
September-
With sustainability projects underway such as composting, reducing firewood use, and water filtration, OHS expands the agricultural food system capacity to half an acre of organic crops. Increasing food production decreases costs and improves our self-sustaining factor.
November –
The construction of the 6-bedroom, 3500 square foot home and education center for abandoned and orphaned children reached completion by late November.
See construction photos from the seed year.
OHS Kids
- Volunteers organized numerous after school programs ranging from art classes for AIDS education to soccer games at nearby schools and orphan centers.
- street children were given scholarships for public school fees, mentorship, and room and board to accomplish their dreams.
- By late November the main house reached completion and requests for enrollment immediately came flowing in. On Dec.5th the first two orphaned children joined the One Heart Source family. Tumsifu and Baraka, their names respectively meaning Praise and Blessing, opened the doors to their new home.
Nafasi Nyingine
OHS decided to act upon a dire need made evident by the overwhelming street kid population. In mid-July OHS establishes a street kid relief and rehabilitation program now known as Nafasi Nyingine (‘Another Chance’, in Swahili). This program provided the fundamental rights of food, medical care, and education to this incredibly vulnerable child population.
Learn more about Nafasi Nyingine.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs
- Over 700 public school students are educated on a complete HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness curriculum.
- More than 600 villagers, street children, and factory workers received HIV tests and counseling.
OHS People Who Made the Difference
- 443 individual and family donors, 6 foundations,7 clubs and associations,19 businesses, 1 temple, 2 churches, and a handful of advisors and teachers--this is your heart and your generosity, and your belief in the good that happens everyday and is still to come.
- 60 American and 20 Tanzanian volunteers participate in the pilot year, undertaking the construction of OHS site, teaching about HIV/AIDS in schools and communities, setting up new educational programs, mentoring street kids and orphans.
- In less than 6 months One Heart Source set in place programs, infrastructure, and human resource to provide a fighting chance against the vicious cycle of HIV/AIDS in the Mateves Ward of Tanzania. This first seed was planted with a staff and volunteer group of an average age of 20.
