Karatu Education Fund inc Tanzania

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History of Karatu Education Fund

Karatu Education Fund was started in 2000 by Dale Jensen, American National and former General Manager of Gibb’s Farm.

When Dale and his wife Elena came to work at Gibb’s Farm they immediately took an intimate interest in their community of Karatu.  They visited the schools frequently and befriended many people in the villages surrounding the Farm.

They thought it would be a unique and interesting experience for guests of Gibb’s Farm to be able to walk through the village and visit the local schools, to meet children and observe first-hand the very real hardships facing Tanzanian children today.

Almost instantly Dale began to receive cash and material donations from guests who wanted to help to improve the state of the schools. The need for someone to manage these funds became evident very quickly, and Dale, together with his Tanzanian colleagues, started an official NGO.

Finished classroom at Tloma Primary School.

With the help of Elena, he began to identify needs in the village.  The first school to receive assistance was the Karatu Secondary School. The girls’ dormitory had an old electrical system that was no longer operational.  After an initial estimate of $300, KEF was able to secure the funds to upgrade the system. The girls can now study after dark.

Contributions continued to come in, and in 2001, with a substantial donation from the Rotary Club in the United States, KEF built a classroom and additional toilet facilities at Tloma Primary School.

KEF built additional desks at Ayalabe Primary School

More recently, KEF built additional desks at Tloma Primary School and Ayalabe Primary School.  In 2005, KEF helped to build a teacher’s house at Tloma Primary School.  In 2006, KEF facilitated the building of 10 latrines at Ayalabe Primary School.

Dale and Elena lived and worked at Gibb’s Farm for 7 years. Although they have recently relocated to the U.S, they still remain very closely connected to Tanzania. Dale continues as KEF President, with 4 directors on site in Karatu to manage projects and local funds.

Although KEF continues to receive donations from guests to Gibb’s Farm, we also hold annual fund-raising events in the U.S. and we have an ever-growing mailing list of prospective donors.  Please contact us if you’re interested in contributing.