more on DEFESCO: (http://www.kidsworldwide.org/tanzaniadefesco.htm)

Defesco is a registered Non-Governmental Organization based in Mwanza – Tanzania. Defesco is an acronym meaning: Development of Free Education Services Centers for Orphans. Defesco was founded by a group of professional teachers along with other people who had a similar vision. We provide services to orphans, the disabled and destitute children who are in secondary schools, high schools and colleges. Currently the center supports 76 students of whom 43 are girls 33 are boys. These children come to the center before or after school hours. Students in Tanzania go to school in different shifts-some in the morning and others in the afternoon.We provide them with free tuition, counseling etc. We also sponsor them in the other schools that they go to. We have a plan to construct our own school as soon as funds are available.

OUR VISION:
A Community free from illiteracy and ignorance in which orphans & destitute children’s rights are respected and upheld.

OUR MISSION:
Defesco is committed to empowering orphans and destitute children through academic excellence and vocational training so that they are able to face the challenges of life and grow into responsible, generous, loving and industrious adults.

OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: - To improve the orphan’s socio–economic status through counseling and life skills training. - To teach the orphans good habits such as order, obedience sincerity and use of freedom and money. - To eliminate gender oppression by providing equity in educational services. - To run parenting courses for the guardians so that they are able to cope with extended families (orphans and destitute children) - To eliminate the extra cost of educating orphans in private coaching and tuitions. - To take complete care of the needs of orphans - To put up a well equipped center that will comprise conference facilitates, library, offices and hostels. - To develop a strong alumni which will ensure that the beneficiaries of the programme help in its advancement

Welcome to the site for "Invisible Voices" project
*images taken by Tanzanian children will be shown as Easy Chair CoffeeShop and Bookstore
now through December 15. more info: 540.961.1628
*framed photographs, matted images and notecards will be sold to provide the children with a photobook of their images as well as further educational opportunities through DEFESCO, partnering organization.

thank you for your interest...
more to come!

more info: miriamwalls@gmail.com