Ilula Orphan Program
The Ilula Orphan Program includes other ministries besides
the sponsor program. Here is a brief overview of our work in Tanzania:
The Sponsor Program :
The sponsor program has over 1000 students who have registered in our program over the last 10 years. 3 graduated Dar Es Salaam University in 2008 with BS degrees.. IOP has produced teachers, carpenters, welders, electricians, tailors, secretaries, and the list goes on and on. IOP is the only way these orphans and vulnerable children
and youth could have received the gift of an education. Education is the only way to lift Africa up and out of the evil of poverty. Each student above elementary level has to work 30 hours per year in their own community before school fees, shoes, and uniform are paid.
IOP Preschool "Kids' Corner"
This was built and finished in 2003 from donations from an elementary school
in Norway, giving opportunity for toddlers to get a Pre-Primary Education.
Currently there are 56 small children, orphans and others, in IOP's "Kids'
Corner", being taught by three "home-made" teachers. The school fee is $1
per month, which is difficult for many to manage. The children are given note
books, pencils, toys, a good class room and organized lessons, and a cup of
porridge every day.
IOP Orphan Center for Girls- The "LORDS ACRE"
This is a Center where orphan girls are welcome to live, learn, and feel at home. The Center was built for $75,000 raised by 8000 Girl Scouts in Norway, and the same amount donated by the Norwegian Embassy in Dar es Salaam. The center is a 9,000sq ft building, currently housing 30 orphan girls (they have lost both parents), from 9 to 19 years old. The Center had beginning support by Bill Clinton's Foundation, it now runs off of profit from the farming and from donations from across the globe. The Center sits on a 63 acre property, where farming and animal husbandry are the income resources. However, farming has been handicapped drastically due to lack of rain.
IOP Girl Guides (Scouts)
IOP Girl Scouts are appr. 50 girls, though 20 have left Ilula for schooling in higher level of education. Still 30 have meetings every week, divided in three patrols, each
with an adult volunteer leader. One leader was chosen to represent the Girl Scout Association in a National Jamboree in Norway last summer (2006) for one month.
Ilula Girl Scouts raise their own funds, or have some support from Scouts outside of Tanzania.
IOP Foster Program
IOP Foster Program is funded by Norwegian Church Aid, recruiting families willing to care for two orphans in addition to their own children. The families are trained and supported financially to manage this task. They go through
routine training several times per year. Students in Primary School are also trained within this program in how to face and manage puberty. IOP has over 100 foster families caring for over 200 children.
IOP Seminars
IOP has seminars that are offered to the villagers every month with subjects to raise awareness of HIV-AIDS, STDs, self esteem, health, hygiene, change in behavior, traditional behavior, sex, man/woman relationships, self management, small business, finances, etc. These seminars are funded by Tac Aids, which
is funded by the World Bank, Mkapa Foundation, Norad, etc. The seminars are free and always fully booked.