Those in charge of that effort hope to further their ability to work, and give others a chance to be a part of improving those childrens’ lives, through a fund-raising golf tournament on Sept. 4.

When the Warren Majengo Foundation was created, there were “orphanages” in Mto wa Mbu that kept children underfed and poorly dressed in order to tug at the heart strings of passing tourists and line the pockets of those in charge, according to Administrative Assistant for the Warren Majengo Foundation Jamie Bees.

It is in a farming region that has been hard-hit by drought.

In some case, parents who were told their children would lead better lives voluntarily sent the children away with strangers, not even knowing where they would end up. They ended up as essentially beggars working for someone else.

Photo submitted to Times Observer The Huruma orphanage in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania is seen in this 2010 photo.

Mto wa Mbu – “mosquito river” – is a town of about 28,000 people. It’s a remote village, but it is along a road to a popular safari area, so tourists regularly make their way through.

The “corrupt orphanage” that first attracted the attention of Majengo Children’s Home founder Lynne Connell was only one of several, Bees said. She created the entity in 2008.

The “orphanage” was just four walls with a roof and a bare floor. And, of course, a bunch of pathetic-looking children outside who were more than happy to accept donations from well-heeled travelers.

After a chance meeting with Connell, and seeing a picture of the children, Matt McKissock of Warren knew he had to get involved.

He made a donation. Then, he founded the Warren Majengo Foundation.

Photo by Brian Ferry Preparing for the inaugural Warren Majengo Foundation Golf Tournament are (from left) Conewango Valley Country Club Golf Pro Eric Gurdak, Majengo’s Jamie Bees, and Majengo’s Rick Brewster. The tournament, to be held on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Conewango Valley, will benefit the Foundation and its efforts to feed and education children in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania, Africa.

The organization’s mission is “to provide stability, security, and support for the Majengo Children’s Home and other worthy educational, economic development, and philanthropic causes in Mto wa Mbu, Tanzania.”

It was incorporated in 2010 by McKissock, Ian Ashbaugh, Diana McKissock, Jeff Scutella, and Bees.

“Majengo” means “building up.”

The efforts of Majengo Children’s Home and Warren Majengo Foundation have “built up” conditions.

“We started with 28 children, which soon grew to 52,” Bees said.

Members of the organization make regular trips to do what they can to build up.

“We try to have a presence,” she said. “At least four times a year, we’re there anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on your mission and what your project is.”

“Seeing a significant need in the hard-hit community, we were gifted property in 2011 by the village leaders and began breaking ground for what has become the current Majengo Children’s Home,” Bees said.

“The Tanzanian government worked with the foundation to give 11 acres with clear title,” Warren Majengo Foundation Ambassador Rick Brewster said.

In 2012, Larry and Jamie Bees and Matthew Brewster were among those from the Warren area who participated in building the first of the foundations on that land.

“It has morphed into a sustainable environment that includes secure housing, educational centers, and gardens and animals that not only provide nutrition, but vast learning experiences for the children, staff, and the community,” Bees said.

“To see the facility and where it came from… you can’t believe it,” Brewster said.

With a physical location ready to serve, local leaders started identifying the neediest children in the community.

“We currently have 113 children under our care and outreached programs that held an additional 105 in the community,” Bees said.

Sewing machines are part of the equipment and using them is part of the learning process.

During COVI-19, “the kids made masks for the community,” Bees said.

“We did an outreach that provided hand-washing kits and stations throughout the community,” she said.

And, the food program was expanded. “Some were not able to come in, so we started supplying food to outlying families,” she said.

The efforts resulted in there being no serious cases of COVID-19 among the students and staff, Bees said.

But, COVID-19 did cause the entity some funding problems. “We’ve had to get creative with our fund-raising,” Bees said.

The organization will hold its first golf tournament on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Conewango Valley Country Club.

Anyone interested in golfing in the tournament ($80 per person includes a cart, lunch, beverages, and dinner) or in being a hole sponsor may contact Majengo’s Head of U.S. Operations and Development Carol Clayman at carol@majengo.org or Bees at jamie@majengo.org.

Registration for the tournament may also be handled by contacting Conewango Valley Golf Pro Eric Gurdak.

Also, “we’re looking for a major sponsor,” Bees said. “It’s a worthy organization and we need to get the word out.”

More information about the organization may be found by visiting majengo.org.