In a search for a new club at school, Ibrahim Nyiti (YES 2016-2017, Tanzania, hosted by AFS in Sitka, AK) wanted to join a student group that would have activities rooted in community service. During his exchange year in Alaska, he learned the importance of volunteering and the impact it can have on one's community. Upon returning to Tanzania, Ibrahim wanted to continue his volunteer efforts, but he noticed that his school, Kibasila High School in Dar es Salaam, didn’t have this type of group. Because of this, Ibrahim decided to create the Charity Club with his friends. The club began to take shape in February 2020 and the group hosted their first fundraising event for a community orphanage that same month.

“I decided to begin the Charity Club because I saw that my fellow students did not understand the value in giving back to the community, so I thought we could make a bigger impact and have better goals as a club focused on service,” Ibrahim said. “By just giving your time, you will help others.”

The Charity Club's goal is to create a big impact, regardless of the size of the project. When the group was deciding on their first project, they discovered that an orphanage near their school could use some new supplies. The group decided that bringing the children new items would be a great first project so they began to raise money and collect donations at their school’s sporting events. After they finished gathering their donations, the group didn’t want to just gift it to the children and then leave. Instead, the group spent the whole day at the orphanage helping the children with their chores and then surprised the children with clothing, books and a monetary donation at the end of the day. Before leaving, the woman in charge of the orphanage thanked the group and told them that the club’s first fundraiser meant the world to not only the children but to the whole orphanage.

Gathering donations and volunteering at the orphanage sparked a desire in Ibrahim and the Charity Club to continue helping many more places in their community. In the future, the club hopes to help a different location in their community every week. One idea they have already discussed would be creating a weekly reading club at the orphanage to teach English and other communication skills to the children. The Charity Club also plans to create subgroups that will focus on specific projects. One such group they are developing is the Sun With Peace group that will be focused on women empowerment and youth engagement campaigns.