The Mgeni Foundation

15/08/2021

Working to create opportunity for lifelong physical activity and connection. Through our sports participation, educational workshops and youth mentorship programs.

One of our goals is to bring opportunity for children and youth to reap the benefits that physical activity can bring— mentally, physically, emotionally.. we also hope to bring quality information through our workshops, and build their connections, and bring chance to grow with our youth mentorship and empowerment program. We are currently working on gathering coaches, volunteers, guest and house speakers, as well as getting together with some of our partners to be able to support as many people as we can in our community.

Please check out our website www.themgenifoundation.wordpress.com or the link in our bio— as well, if you have the capacity to donate, we appreciate any and all financial assistance, or sharing of our foundation. A huge thank you to those who have been supporting. We are excited to start up again.

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08/07/2021

Our Youth Mentorship and Empowerment program aims at enabling youth to boost their confidence at handling issues they face as youth in their everyday life.

This program is a platform where young people get to have one-on-one meetings with mentors and get an opportunity to learn different life skills.

​Moreover, this program targets preparing youths to be economically stable. This is ensured by providing them with capital to start up small businesses, training sessions to equip them to run those businesses. It is also within our plan to be able to connect them with businessmen and women who can inspire them in one way or another to help youth open doors for more opportunities in creating their own business.

It is with strong trust and belief that this program will be a gateway for the youths to have better, more successful lives and hope for achievements as they fulfill and reach their goals in their future.

In Tanzania, it is a common thought that one grows up to become a doctor, teacher, join the Navy, or a select few job positions. We aim to broaden the horizons of children and youth and create opportunities for them to pave their own paths, and create their own business, and jobs that work for them.

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08/07/2021

Meet Brianna

Co-Founder | Program Coordinator | Funding Administrator

Bri aims to help create an environment where people feel they can openly express and discuss in-depth their thoughts, needs, desires, and goals, and find creative ways to make them happen. She is passionate about opening discussion and understanding around many aspects of health; including but not limited to sexual health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of individuals, and communities over time.

Along with Zuwena, she graduated from UBC Okanagan with a Bachelors of Human Kinetics with courses in both clinical and health promotion streams; with experience in special education; philosophy; anthropology; nutrition; and coaching people of ranging ages and abilities from soccer, bowling, circus, and skiing.

Email at:

Briannamilli@themgeni.foundation

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08/06/2021

We are pleased to introduce, the vibrant, caring, and kind:

Chiku Haji Machano

​Secretary of Operation | Psychologist | Mentorship Program

A Tanzanian born on Zanzibar Island. Chiku is a trained psychologist, graduating in 2016 from the Acharya Institute in India. She is a counselor by profession who is keen on listening to her client’s life challenges and working with them to help overcome the barriers they are facing. In short, she is a reliable shoulder to lean on and an ear that listens without judgment. Chiku, in her spare time, provides free tutoring services to children in a grade five class.

Image Description: black and white photo of a smiling professional young woman wearing a beautifully patterned long sleeve shirt and matching scarf, rings and a bracelet. Mgeni foundation logo, educate. Play. Empower.

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29/05/2021

Sport Participation Program

A way to heal, to learn, to grow…

Physical activity programs are being held alternating Saturday mornings (for age groups 8-13 and 14-18 y/o’s) to allow children and youth to come together, create connections, and just play. Movement and activity are proven methods to reduce side effects of illness, and medications, as well as an excellent way to form connections and grow community and friendships.

Our sports participation programs are open to children and youth, we will be supplying a healthy snack to allow children to recuperate some energy and to feed their bodies and minds. We want to allow participants a chance to move, smile, and connect in meaningful ways.

An important component we are working to address is to get more involvement of girls in sport, as this is an area that is not as accessible to them. We are working to remove some of the barriers they face and allow room for play, learning, and growth.

If you have any questions about our Sport Participation Program, please reach out! We are happy to chat.

Image Description: two photos, one of a group of children jumping rope with an instructor, and the second of a girl in bright pants, a white shirt and pink head scarf jumping over a jump rope.

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29/05/2021

Meet the team!

The Mgeni Foundation has a small team of bright individuals with a range of skills and experience, this week we are introducing the Founder, Head of Operations, Program Coordinator:

Zuwena Machano

​Founder | Head of Operations | Program Director

Zuwena is a recent graduate of University of British Columbia Okanagan with a degree in Human Kinetics. She is a young woman who is passionate about promoting the health and well-being of her community.

As her High School Motto said “Knowledge in the Service of Africa”, she has always wanted to move back to Tanzania and promote healthy living in her home Country. She is not only passionate about children living with HIV/AIDS and reducing discrimination, Zuwena is also about providing equal opportunities to all children in order to discover their potentials.

Outside her role as a founder of Mgeni Foundation, Zuwena hosts her show where she speaks with different people on sensitive topics about health, called Health Basket. Zuwena covers all aspects of health including mental and physical wellbeing. She is also an artist who started her own crocheting business.

Image Description: black and white photo of a young woman sitting with one hand over her lap, one hand neatly placed under her chin, smiling, with beaded bracelets, wearing a floral designed dress and dark head scarf. Mgeni Foundation logo, educate, play, empower.

22/05/2021

Thank you for your support!

Because of your support, the pilot program in 2016 had the chance to run.
At this time we are relying on public support to fund this years programs, and once we begin, we can reach out for government funding to sustain our programs for years to come!

Like, share, donate. Anything helps, and all is appreciated.

Image Description: the text above, in an opaque circle, with the Zanzibar flag colours in the background. The Mgeni Foundation logo on the bottom.

Please visit the link in our bio > gofundme to donate.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPJLUlBpCVj/

21/05/2021

We are getting our Instagram up and running! Find us or search “The Mgeni Foundation” in the search bar.

Peep our posts for more information, or important updates!

https://instagram.com/mgenifoundation?utm_medium=copy_link

3 Followers, 6 Following, 0 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from The Mgeni Foundation ()

20/05/2021

Hello Everyone. We are still looking for donations. Anything you can donate will be appreciated. The link for gofundme can be done on this page and on our website. Visit our website at themgenifoundation@wordpress.com" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://themgenifoundation@wordpress.com
Thanks for the support.

Create a free website or build a blog with ease on WordPress.com. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.

14/05/2021

We are excited to share our website, please feel free to check it out for more information The Mgeni Foundation, programs, staff, partners and more!!

https://themgenifoundation.wordpress.com/

Gofundme Educate. Play. Empower. The Mgeni Foundation has been created to honor the life of a young lady called Mgeni Ali Ameir who died in 2015 due to HIV/AIDs, she was a sister, friend, and the inspiration for much of what The Mgeni Foundation has to offer.                    …

14/05/2021

14/05/2021

14/05/2021

We partnered with Zanzibar Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (ZAPHA+) to run a pilot program in 2016. The small-scale physical activity program encouraged children to exercise and turn the benefits of exercising into reducing the side effects of medication, and to help improve mood. This program operated for 4 months (June- September).

We had anticipated and had funds raised for about 50 children (thanks to some incredible people!!). Unfortunately, we got locked out of the original Go-Fund-Me account, and the donations got sent back to the people who supported the program. Zuwena (the founder of The Mgeni Foundation) ended up funding the program out of pocket during her last year of her undergrad.

At the pilot program in 2016, we were surprised by over 100 children and youth who had joined!! From this, we realized there is a serious need for these programs.

We are aiming to begin programs again in July 2021, once Zuwena is back in Zanzibar, and connected with our newly formed team including a physical education coach, psychologist, a pediatric and adolescent HIV/AIDS officer, and programming coordinators!

After connecting with our partners at S.O.S Children's Village Zanzibar, ZAPHA+, and a few local schools, we realized the need to create a larger scale, year-round program. We decided to take a multidimensional approach and added our youth mentorship and empowerment, as well as our educational workshops. To not only allow children and youth the chance to participate in sport, and connect with others, but to promote education around important topics surrounding health, wellness, and their futures, regardless of HIV status.

At the moment we require funding for our programs by donations. Once we get the program running again, we aim to get government grants and expand our network to be able to work with sponsors and different organizations, and individuals who share our inspiration.

It is crucial we have funding to help run these programs. Money raised helps support transport to and from programs, give a healthy snack for children and youth participants each week, the ability to connect with and host speakers for our workshops and mentorship programs, and will effectively help us build connections, education, and growth for children and youth in Zanzibar regardless of their HIV/AIDS status.

We are also interested in any possible connections, people who would like to join the team, or of any knowledgeable people available for workshops or to help with future programs.

If it is not in your capacity to help fund the programs, we equally appreciate you sharing this page, our website, Instagram, or pages. Anything helps!

Website:
https://themgenifoundation.wordpress.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Mgeni-Foundation-100913552152013
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mgenifoundation/

We truly appreciate your support and are eager to hear from you if you have any questions or comments.

https://www.gofundme.com/the-mgeni-foundation-july-2021-session-start

23/04/2021

COMING SOON...