Our Work

Action in Africa was established in 1997 to form a long term link between the peoples of Ashtead and those in the area around the village of Nyaishozi in north western Tanzania. Support now comes more widely from the U.K. and we also help a second area in Tanzania, Mtandika in the centre of the country.

Initially set up to pay for the schooling of two young orphan girls, Action in Africa now sponsors some 30 students from the Nyaishozi area and 40 from Mtandika. In addition help is given to six Secondary Schools in Nyaishozi where we have also set up our own Kindergarten. In Mtandika the main project is the building and development of a Trade School that aims to provide career skills to poor girls and orphans. Recent funding through the Sean Devereux Children's Fund has enabled a start to be made on rehabilitating classrooms at the Primary School in the village.

Our commitment is to help these communities in all aspects of life. Local committees decide their needs and initiate projects. It is they who tell us what is needed. In this way the work of Action in Africa has extended from its original remit of Education to bring in Health which includes pro-active campaigns to reduce the incidence of malaria.

In 1997 we formed a link between two Catholic parishes, St Michael’s in Ashtead and St Charles Lwanga in Nyaishozi. We are proud that Action in Africa has grown from that Catholic origin to include in its supporters and especially its beneficiaries people of all faiths and of none. Our committees in Nyaishozi include members of the Lutheran and Episcopalian churches and also Muslims. Our beneficiaries are chosen on the basis of need alone.