To mark the 100th anniversary of SPN Schwaben Präzision in 2019, the traditional company from Nördlingen, together with the Fritz and Lieselotte Hopf Foundation and the "Vier Steine für Afrika e.V." association, financed a facility for children with inclusion in Korogwe, Tanzania, under the umbrella of the "1000 Schools for the World" project. Korogwe is located near the motherhouse of the Usambara Sisters in Kwamndolwa, who run the school.
From the vision to the construction of the school
Planning for the school in Tanzania had already begun in June 2019, when Sister Gaspara, Superior of the Usambara Sisters, visited Germany. It was quickly clear that it should be an inclusion school, as this group of people are often excluded and not supported by society. In addition, the long-term objective of the school center should include technical education.
Already at the anniversary celebration on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of SPN Schwaben Präzision in September 2019, Sister Gaspara was able to report on the progress of construction with impressive pictures. At that time, she gratefully accepted the donation check in the amount of 40,000.00€ from the managing directors Mr. Georg Jaumann and Mr. Dipl.-Ing. Rainer Hertle as well as the chairman of the board of the non-profit Fritz and Lieselotte Hopf Foundation, Mr. Josef Seitz.
The construction of the school should proceed quickly in order not to jeopardize the start of school in January 2020. "Unfortunately, we have often experienced how "real life" in a country like Tanzania with new challenges can throw plans out of kilter and cause delays," says Rainer Hertle, technical director of SPN Schwaben Präzision. At the end of November 2019, there was heavy and prolonged rainfall in this region of Tanzania, followed by major flooding. No more raw materials and construction materials were delivered. Construction work could not continue in a timely and safe manner.
Subsequently, the Corona pandemic upset the target plans once again.
In August 2020, the construction of the school in Korogwe finally entered its final phase. Approval for the school was granted by the government, and a start date of early 2021 was envisaged.
School operations with the first class started on January 25, 2021. 37 students from the catchment area of Kwamdolwa, Kichangani and Goo are now being served there. In the following school year, the student body will then be increased with the 2nd grade. Every year the school will be enlarged by another grade. The goal is 7 grades, which will be supplemented with two dormitories for boarding students. A dining room and a kitchen will then complete the school, donated by the association "Four Stones for Africa".
Donate, donate, donate
With its annual Christmas donation, SPN continued to support the school project in Korogwe in 2020. "We are very happy to follow the progress on our sustainable project - it is impressive to see what Sister Gaspara and her team have put in place. We are convinced that this project will make a small but visible contribution to improving the education and training situations in poorer African countries," says Technical Managing Director Rainer Hertle. His managing partner Georg Jaumann is also absolutely convinced of the project's objectives: "Building schools to invest in the education and training of children and young people is a fundamental building block for the further development of a society - at all levels. It's a really great opportunity for us to be able to participate in this way."
Accordingly, the money donated by SPN goes towards new furniture, wheelchairs and, most importantly, the children's education.
If you also want to help to further improve the living and learning conditions for the girls and boys in Korogwe, we would be happy if you would support us!
If you would like to donate specifically for the SPN school, please note this on your bank transfer in the subject line. Also, don't forget to include your name and address so we can send you a donation receipt.
Transfer your donation to:
Vier Steine für Afrika e.V.
Account 526 800
RVB Ries eG, bank code 720 693 29.
IBAN: DE37 7206 9329 0000 5268 00
BIC: GENODEF1NOE
