As part of our mandate, Photo Safaris Tanzania hires licensed companies, guides and drivers from the local area around Arusha. Not only do Tanzanians know their own country best, as citizens, they deserve to be on the front line of any business venture that stimulates the Tanzanian economy.

     Furthermore, we have created a develop-
ment fund that specifically supports local
education. A portion of the profits from
each safari helps to build this fund. Rather
than all the money benefitting just one
school or one project, it is distributed on a
project-by-project basis to a variety of
schools.

     One stream of funding goes to assist

girls in their pursuit of education through

the NGO called Project Tembo. It has been

shown that one of the best development

policies is to ensure equal access to education
for girls. Project Tembo works with the
Maasai in the Longido area north of Arusha.
To quote their website:

PhotoSafarisTanzania.com > Umma

  1. What’s the “best” way to help?

     Where ever you live, the idea of “buying locally” makes sense both practically and economically. For our safaris, we source all our goods and foodstuffs from local merchants. As well, local fundis (literally ‘skilled workers’) maintain the vehicles and make our now-famous photo bean bags.

     Assisting a developing country like Tanzania from overseas is difficult at best. “Throwing money” at a an NGO does not directly solve problems.

   The programs that seem to be the most effective are those that provide basic services such as clean water and latrines as well as basic education and health care. There are now many NGOs that do this, so before choosing one, ask a few questions:

  1. •Do they spend less than 20% of donations on administration and advertising?

  2. •Do they hire local people to supervise projects?

  3. •Are their project directed towards the basic needs of villagers: clean water, latrines, basic education and health care?

  4. •Are the projects sustainable? In other words, will they continue to function without Western assistance?

  5. •How well do they communicate to you the success of their work?

     Listen carefully to their answers. The NGO you decide on should be open and transparent in providing honest answers you can rely on.

Book now: 519.265.4151 • safari@luxborealis.com

  Go to Gallery >gallery.html

Umma means Community

Often referred to as the “backbone” of Africa, women have had little or no opportunity to receive formal education or training. Their responsibilities include bearing and raising children and performing household tasks including fetching water and collecting firewood, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Maasai women have limited ownership rights and few options for earning money.

     A second stream of funding is used to equip schools for learning. This includes desks and chalkboards made by local carpenters, providing books for libraries and sports equipment for the playground as well as outfitting science labs in a practical way to meet local needs.

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Umma

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To book your photo safari call 519.265.4151 or email safari@luxborealis.com

     The schools closest to Arusha are the ones that benefit the most from the tourism industry, so we are specifically targeting schools that are further afield – schools that don’t enjoy the benefit of higher local wages and donations from tourists.