5 Trustees, 4 LTT staff and our MCDO partners spent a glorious few days together in Babati in February 2023. Carolyn (HR specialist Trustee) provides an account of the visit.

As an LTT Trustee and 7 year donor I was very privileged in February to visit Babati with a few of my fellow trustees (self funded of course). For many of us it was the first time we had met in person and our first time in Babati.

A key goal was to visit projects we have been supporting, like the building of new classrooms, refurbished toilets, newly installed hand washing systems, bunk beds etc. as well as meeting farmers and graduates from the Street Business School (SBS) programmes.

It was a joy to see and hear how respected LTT is in the different communities. LTT is a real force for change, and what a difference our partnerships make! New classrooms are spacious, cool, attractive and generate a happy learning environment. New toilet blocks are so impressive compared to what was there previously, especially for the girls, a game changer. Listening to the enthusiasm of the teachers, farmers and SBS graduates and their passion to improve their lives and those of their children was very humbling.

LTT really does change lives and help alleviate poverty. There is still a lot of demand for our support, to help build more classrooms and toilets in primary and now secondary schools (as primary school results improve, more children are going to secondary school so the need is there now as well)

As I reflect back on my visit, my passion is stronger than ever, and having seen how the funds are spent, I want to raise more, for reference, a donation can achieve the following:

£35 for one desk for 3 students,
£250 - 50 text books for one subject for a class preparing for their exams.
£500 for a fuel efficient stove and training at a school to reduce deforestation
£2,500 to fund one cohort of SBS delegates
£12,000 to build a classroom

I would also recommend to any donor, please come and visit if you can. My learning was deeply impactful and the visit was really worthwhile. Zanzibar and local safaris were also excellent as I managed to fit in a holiday as well !

If you are interested please contact Julian@livingstonetanzaniatrust.co.uk