SCOTT WILLIS LEGACY FOUNDATION
2024 UPDATE
In 2024, the Scott Willis Legacy Foundation focused on the needs we saw during our trip to Tanzania and Zambia in 2023. It was so important to once again see firsthand what programs are making the most impact. One of the valuable lessons we learned was that clean water and food are most important. A hungry child cannot learn in the schools we build. A thirsty child cannot stay healthy without clean water.
BEANS & BREAD FUNDRAISER
In October, we raised over $15,000 in funds which were then matched by the Kevin Myers Family Foundation. The fundraiser was kicked off with a donation from St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Kingsville, MD that funded food for the Kindness orphanage for an entire year.
The Stromberg, Azevedo, Fuller and Blakely families each funded beans and maize for an orphanage for the entire year. More than 40 donors helped us reach our goal and now the children we support will have the food they need.
NASA NURSERY SCHOOL
Located in Makao Mapya Village which is home to 700 extremely poor people, we have supported NASA Nursery School since it was built. We have supplied bathrooms, windows, doors, desks, teachers and shoes.
During our visit in 2023, the elders pleaded with us to help them get clean water as many of their children were dying from waterborne diseases. We witnessed children gathering water from ditches and animal watering holes.
Our “Water, Water Everywhere” fundraiser at the end of 2023, provided the funds needed to connect the village to the government supplied water 8 miles away. Construction on this $30,000 project began in early 2024 and in April, clean water flowed freely at the village. This has been life changing as the entire village now has access to clean water. Over the next year we will focus on completing additional projects already in progress at NASA including Sara’s Kitchen that will include a dining hall that will double as a community meeting space. With clean water and fencing to keep out the animals, we will begin construction on Wyatt’s Garden and Hayden’s Playground. NASA is part of our “Beans and Bread” Food program and has already begun receiving their monthly delivery. Attendance at school has greatly increased now that the children are being fed.
MAMA JANE’S ORPHANAGE
For the past six years we have supported this very special place. We have provided food, housing and revenue generating programs to help with the costs of operating the orphanage. One cost that isn’t covered is tuition for the older children. Tanzania provides government education to children until Form 4 (the US equivalent of the 6th grade). After Form 4, a child can continue his/her education under 2 conditions: they must pass a national test, and they must have the resources to continue.
With support from the Constance and Brooks Robinson Charitable Foundation, we were able to provide high school and university scholarships for 11 children. The cost for tuition, food, housing, transportation and additional expenses are approximately $691.07 a year for high school and $966.97 for university students. This is far less than 2% of the cost of educating students in the United States.
SHADES OF HOPE ACADEMY IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA
With the support of families sponsoring children, we continue to provide tuition, food, housing and medical to 11 of the children who live full-time at Shades of Hope Academy. The donors continue to receive photos and updates of the children they support. We send funds as well to celebrate their birthdays and holidays.
FLAMBOYANT SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL IN MAZABUKA, ZAMBIA
Flamboyant Special School was founded by the Sisters of Mercy and is currently operated by the Brothers of Charity. This school serves 118 special needs children and we have funded many programs there including a new school bus, Jenn Lake (a self-sustaining fish pond), chicken program, Scotty’s Garden, Karen’s Play Park, Fenny’s House, Connor’s Toy Box and new uniforms.
This year, Zambia had a cholera outbreak which devasted the weak economy. Brother Matthew, headmaster of the school, asked that we help provide funds for food and other expenses.
With help from the Constance and Brooks Robinson Charitable Foundation we were able to help with funds for fuel and maintenance for the bus as well as additional food needs. Through the Beans & Bread Program, we are now able to provide a supply of beans and maize to supplement the fish, chicken and garden programs.
While all the children are special, we continue to support Joshua and his family. Joshua had an instant connection with our volunteer, Brent, and through this relationship we are now providing Joshua and his family food and financial support. Last year Scott’s grandmother, Barbara Hock, provided the funding to get hearing aids. Joshua is excelling in school and is no longer taught as a deaf learner. He continues to ride his new bike to school because the bus cannot navigate the back roads to his house.
PATANDI SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL
During our trip in 2023, we delivered a Connor’s Toy Box to Patandi Special Needs School. Patandi serves 60 special needs children who live at the school full-time and are cared for by one very tired and exhausted matron, Madam Jackline. In addition to taking care of the children, she was washing clothes and bedding by hand. We were able to provide a grant of $3200 to the school. These funds were used to purchase a commercial washing machine (pictured on the right) and to hire a second matron to help with the children.
OUR PARTNER-KUNDAEL MOLLA
Every day we say – we could not accomplish anything without the help of our partner and friend, Kundael Molla. Kundael and his wife Jackie handle every project for us in Tanzania. Jackie’s brother, Aiden, has joined our efforts and is now making the monthly delivery of beans and maize to the orphanages and schools we support in Tanzania. In April, they welcomed their second daughter, Skylar, who joins big sister, Gia.
ASANTE SANA - THANK YOU
At the end of each year, one thing is always clear – we could not accomplish great things without your help and support. We have a core group of donors who believe in our projects and continue to support us. For this we are forever grateful. You cannot imagine how your kindness keeps us going, especially on memorable dates that are painful to endure. Thank you for not only supporting so many children who desperately need your help, but for helping us continue Scott’s Legacy.
Asante Sana