I first heard Dr. Wilson speak at my church, Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, in Naples, FL in 2011. To hear her very moving stories of how AIDS orphans in the remote NW corner of Tanzania are suffering, with little or no resources moved me not only to tears, but to action. I began helping with fundraisers for Tumaini Fund USA and then accepted a position on the Board of Directors 2 years ago. The goal is to educate the orphans, enabling them to become self sufficient, but along with that, basic needs such as food, fresh water, shelter & clothing must be met too. The Tumaini Fund has done an excellent job of providing all of the aforementioned to more than 25,000 orphans & strives to reach more as funding allows. What sets Tumaini Fund apart is the transparency of this organization via annual on site audits by volunteer CPA's from Guernsey. Also, the fact that 93 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to aid the children is due to the many professionals who generously donate their time & talents to this organization.
This wonderful charity started in Dr Wilson's kitchen in Guernsey several years ago. I met Dr Wilson at an English tea where she was the most compelling speaker I have ever heard! She was a winter guest of Peter & Cleone Ferris at St Monica's in Naples, Fl. This charity is fiscally sound, accountable & works because Jesus is the chairman of the board!
Tumaini Fund and Dr. Susan Wilson are committed to the long term support of Aids orphans in Tanzania. As a former Board member of Tumaini Fund USA and as a long time volunteer with other charitable organizations, this is one of the best organizations with which I have been involved. Dr. Wilson has built a support network of local volunteers and social workers that care for an increasing number of orphans and widows. Over 10 years the organization now supports nearly 25,000 children. Tumaini is truly a grass roots organization worthy of continued support. We will continue financial support of this worthwhile organization.
Tumaini Fund USA is one of the most worthwhile organizations I have encountered in my professional and volunteer experience. The all-volunteer leadership team and many supporters help make an impact in the lives of so many children and families who may otherwise not be able to experience the basic necessities of clean water, shelter, food, clothing and education. Each year I see the organization increase its service impact and maintain great fiscal responsibility as good stewards of donor funds and grants. I am proud to work with such an impactful organization like Tumaini Fund USA
It has been a privilege to work with the committed, hard-working Board members of Tumaini Fund USA Inc, who draw no honorariums and themselves pay for many activities they are involved in.
I founded The Tumaini Fund in 2003, following a period of service in Murgwanza District Hospital, Kagera, Tanzania: my husband and I are doctors from the UK. We found that, due to the genocides in adjacent Rwanda and Burundi, the men of war, driven out of these countries, angry and frustrated, raped the women and girls, driving HIV infectivity up from 2.8% to 28%. We believed that every 3rd woman we delivered in the labour room at that time had AIDS so that every 3rd family was being orphaned. At that time there was no AIDS treatment in the region. The estimate was that there could have been up to 200,000 orphans in Kagera at that time… and we saw them: children leading children by the hand or carrying them on their backs, searching for food and support. It was to meet the challenges these children faced that Tumaini Fund came into being: providing clothes, decent-housing, mosquito nets, heads-of-family, oversight from dedicated Parish-workers, access to schooling, provision of clean water and sanitation, micro finance projects, village credit and loans programmes - whatever is needed to create sustainable ways to protect these children and promote their health and education needs. The love of Jesus is the heart of this work, which supports all denominations and about 1/4 of our orphans are Moslem.
I first met Dr. Susan Wilson, the founder of the Tumaini Fund (for which the Tumaini Fund USA raises funds in the US) four years ago. Until then I had never met anyone who set out to change one part of the world AND HAS SUCEEDED! The Fund now supports 25,000 AIDS orphans in the Kagera Region of Tanzania. This is an extremely poor region of Tanzania--which itself is among the 10 poorest countries in the world. The Tumaini Fund supplies food, clothing, school supplies, school uniforms and a mosquito net to each orphan it registers. For those who are able to advance from Primary to Secondary School it pays tuition and school fees. It builds new houses to replace dilapidated structures. It drills fresh water wells to bring fresh water to villages. Tumaini has accomplished great things, bringing hope for a better life to thousands of orphans. Tumaini Fund USA is able to send 93% of every dollar it collects to Tanzania to fund various aid to orphan projects. In 2013 Queen Elizabeth honored Dr. Wilson by awarding her the MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of her services to AIDS orphans in Tanzania.
I have been very impressed with what the Tumaini Fund has been able to accomplish for the AIDS orphans & widows under the leadership of Dr. Susan Wilson, founder & CEO. She derives no compensation for her work & in fact travels on her annual mission to Tanzania at her own expense. Because so many people donate their time & talents & professional services to this organization, administrative cost at kept to a minimum (less than 10%), so almost all funds go to help the children. Orphans who were literally starving to death with very little clothing or shelter, are now flourishing with the support of the Tumaini Fund. It is amazing & heartwarming to hear Dr. Wilson speak & see before & after photos of many of the orphans.
Review from Guidestar