Karimu Social Fund
Extending Help to Other Communities
Help Karimu respond to urgent needs in the Babati District
About the campaign
Karimu’s success and visibility often prompt requests for help from communities that we have not taken on as projects. This creates a dilemma. Our model hinges on sufficient familiarity to build trust so community members will engage fully with our work, and one-off projects make that impossible. But we don’t want to turn our backs on these communities. Karimu has defined a Social Fund to accommodate such requests and we increased our funding in 2025 from a maximum of 3% to up to 10% of total fundraising. We are giving some priority to projects in wards that were considered and qualified, but not selected, for our full poverty elimination strategy for 2024. These are Hidet, Masqaroda, Masakta, and Dareda Mission wards. Additional requests from the government will be considered only if:
- The need is critical (e.g. classroom roof damage due to extreme weather conditions)
- The social fund for the given year has not been exhausted
- The request was received by an official letter from the Director of the Babati District or another government official with a position higher than the director
- Justification and proof of the need can be validated by the staff of Karimu Tanzania.
Earlier this year, Karimu completed a bathroom for Kifaru Primary School. There was much rejoicing as now students will attend school in a clean and safe environment. They will not have to risk disease. Girls will have the privacy they need when they are on their period - attendance will not be interrupted.
Now, we hope to fulfill the needs of four other communities where the need for improved health care and improved school facilities is urgent. Students need classroom space and a clean, well-lit environment. Health care needs to be accessible and available for all. In rural Tanzania, according to the United States National Institutes of Health, the rate of child, infant, and maternal mortality is significantly higher for those living more than 5 KM away from medical care. Karimu wants to change this and has done this already in Ayalagaya and Arri where no one has to walk more than one hour to receive medical care. Karimu’s efficient use of funds where 98.6% of all donations go directly to Tanzania, and the generous support of donors makes it possible for us to reach beyond the primary communities where Karimu works and achieve our 2025 goals (see below).
2025 Goals
Finish the construction of a dispensary at Hidet - the government and the community ran out of funds in the finishing phase. In rural Tanzania a local dispensary is a lifeline where otherwise people would have no access to medical care because the distance is too far for them to travel.
Help provide health care is accessible for everyone in Hidet - where no one has to travel more than 5 km.
Construct the maternity building at the dispensary in Masqaroda to make certain that pregnant women do not have to travel more than 5 km to receive regular check-ups and deliver their babies in a safe environment.
Help make certain that pregnant women receive regular check-ups and can safely deliver their babies.
Construct a hostel for girls at Masakta to help increase their academic performance. Girls often have to walk for hours to reach school. Walking can often pose a threat to personal safety, and take away time from studying. When girls board at the school they can concentrate on studies and academic performance increases dramatically.
Provide a hostel so girls can focus on their studies and avoid the risk and burden of walking a great distance to attend school
Construct a middle school classroom in Dareda Mission to provide classroom space and a better learning environment. With the area’s increased population, classrooms are often overcrowded (100 students per class). Classrooms are often dark, lacking glass windows, and enough desks to accommodate the burgeoning student population.
Help the Babati government complete the construction of a new middle school classroom in Dareda Mission for improved education in a spacious classroom conducive to learning.