Removing barriers to learning
Enriching the future of every child in Tanzania by providing them with access to education.
Beating the Mountain!
The Inaugural GRUCSO Fun Run
GRUSCO, in association with Simba Smart Sports Promotions, hosted their first ever fun run on 6th October. Over 100 children and adults took part in this exciting and challenging morning of physical activity, camaraderie and fun.
The route started with a gruelling climb up Capri Point from Mwanza International School, followed by a flat run along the peak with a stunning view over the lake, then a fast descent towards Bismarck Rock, where the 2.5km route and the 5km route divided. The 2.5km headed back to Mwanza International School and the 5km toured around the centre of town before heading back via Hotel Tilapia.
See the full results in this spreadsheet.
All the photos are now available to view and download here.
Watch out for posters for the next fun run...can you go faster?!
2.5km Run Results - Top Three
Congratulations to all our runners for an amazing effort. Below are the top three runners in each age category.
See the full results here.
First: Nelson
Second: Yusuph
Third: Zeeshan
First: Vivian
Second: Lauren
Third: Naseeb
First: Bela
Second: Christopher
Third: Yusta
First: Collins
First: Mama Samara
Second: Irene
Third: Flora M
Joint First: Mrs AC
Joint First: Mama Aadee
Third: Brown
5km Run Results - Top Three
Congratulations to all our runners for an amazing effort. Below are the top three runners in each age category.
See the full results here.
First: Vincent
Second: Ethan C
Third: Tahir
First: Sebastian
Second: Josh
Third: Fernanda
First: Suleiman
Second: Ethan M
Third: Delbert
First: Geert
Second: Dominick
Third: Mashik V
First: Isaack
Second: Kaunda
Third: Julia
About us
Removing barriers to Learning
Geita Rural Children Support Organization (GRUCSO) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization and not-for-profit organization based in Geita town. The organization (Reg. No. 22NGO/R/3661) was established to provide financial and material support to vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Geita Region.
Without deliberate efforts to improve levels of sanitation, the cycle of disease and poverty will continue to negatively impact the children’s access to education and their future.
The project works with other educational and child support stakeholders to remove barriers to learning including lack sufficient meal, learning materials and psychological support.
If you would like to be included in future mailings please email the GRUCSO admin team to be added to the mailing list.
Welcome to GRUSCO
Let Us Come Together To Make a Difference
Poverty is a major hindrance to accessing education among children and youth in most rural areas of Tanzania. Because of the poor conditions they live in.
Our Mission
To bring about sustainable changes (educational) in the lives of vulnerable children and youths in Geita.
Our Vision
Enriching the future of every child in Tanzania by providing them with access to education.
Support offered
Empowering vulnerable children and youth access to education
We help put kids in school and enable them to acquire better and quality education that is vital for their future.
Raising community awareness on children`s rights
Domestic violence and other factors that affect life of children and youth welfare.
Advocating for uniting street children with their families
Through counselling and discussion on responsible parenting, care and Support.
Promoting career building
Encourage the career development and resilience of children and youth in order to prepare them for future challenges.
What People Say About Us
Yusuph: My Story
Yusuph Jumanne
Teacher, Chair Person and Founder
My name is Yusuph Jumanne. I am a teacher at Mwanza International School in Mwanza, Tanzania and Founder of GRUCSO. My passionate desire to support the young generation to reach their ambitions in life led me to come up with the idea of doing something.
The situation of living in high-risk circumstances, such as the denial of access to better and quality education that I grew up in, made me realize what it feels like to be supported and overcome those life challenges at a young age. Therefore, I thought Geita Rural Children Support Organization (GRUCSO) would be a bridge for identifying Vulnerable Children, especially those living in rural areas, and linking them to care, support and protection.
You can watch a video about my life story and how I came to found GRUCSO here.
Richard Middleton
Expert Teacher
I am a teacher from England working at an international school in Tanzania. After learning about GRUSCO and its work from my colleague Mr. Yusuph, I wanted to get involved and help provide opportunities to children who may not have had the same chances as I did.
Magdalena Zakaria
Expert Teacher
I am a teacher with training in education and education management. I have a passion for improving the lives of children and young girls in poor communities and want to help them grow up to be healthy and aware members of their communities. I believe that my goals align with GRUCSO's mission to promote educational opportunities for disadvantaged rural children in Geita, Tanzania.
Zainabu Magongo
Sociology & Social Work Expert
I am an expert in Sociology and Social Work, and I joined GRUCSO to inspire the younger generation to achieve their goals.
Pasckal Kamara
Lawyer
As a lawyer, it brings me joy to see young people fighting for their dreams and working toward success. I have always dreamed of a world where everyone has the courage to succeed and opportunities are available to all. I am proud to be one of the members of GRUCSO, an organization that supports young people in rural areas and helps them pursue their goals.
Kelvin Theophil
Accountant
I am an accountant at Bugando Medical Centre and also work with GRUCSO to support education for young people, especially those in rural areas, to achieve a bright future.
Jared Sylivester Bakuza (ph.D.)
Senior Lecturer
I am a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in biomedical sciences and public health at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) in Tanzania. I am passionate about empowering youth and believe in transforming communities through grassroots support and youth empowerment. As a member of GRUCSO, I hope to contribute to the emancipation of children from poverty through improved access to education.
Volunteer
We would be delighted to work with you to give you opportunity help us transform the lives of disadvantaged children and youths in our care. These young people can be affected by many issues including psychological, physical, or emotional abuse; stigma; discrimination; and suboptimal parental involvement. We are looking for trained psychologists, mental health specialists, and entrepreneurial/mentorship skills specialists to support our training, guidance and counselling projects in Geita. If you have the requisite skills then we would love to hear from you!
This programme is conducted twice a year - in July and December. Should you be interested working with us in making the difference, please contact us to discuss further.
Donate
There are many reasons to donate to GRUCSO and many ways to donate too. Below are the suggested options; however, if you would prefer to give in a particular way or for a particular cause then please contact us to discuss further.
Click on the boxes below to learn more about how to donate to GRUCSO.
Regular Donations
Our costs are ongoing and so the best way of ensuring our ability to maintain support for all of our children over the duration of their education is to be able to receive a guaranteed revenue stream through regular donations.
Single Donations
We are very happy to receive any one-off donations and these will be used for our ongoing educational costs or for individual costs such as medical issues, improving health through sanitation, or providing electricity to be able to study at night.
Sponsorship
GRUCSO aims to enable specific students who are showing great effort and achievements to be enrolled into private schools where there are far smaller class sizes and much better facilities. This can make an incredible difference to their educational progress and their future in general.
Material Donations
Physical items such as bicycles, clothes, shoes, reading books, backpacks and stationery supplies are most welcome. These can be sent to our office in Geita or if you are in different location please email or call our chairperson, Mr Yusuph, or call the office assistant.
Some of the items we provide...
It costs us $29 (Tsh 72,500) per month to provide for all the educational needs for a primary school student including books, uniform, food and transport.
It costs us $30 (Tsh 75,000) to provide mental health counselling and life skills mentoring for a child in need of support.
It costs us $250 (Tsh 625,000) to pay for solar panels in homes without access to affordable electricity to allow students to study in the evening and mornings.
It costs us $820 (Tsh 2,050,000) to pay for vocational youth training in a state / governmental programme at a training college.
It costs us $1395 (Tsh 3,550,000) per year to pay for a private school and board for a student with outstanding potential.
Get In Touch
Address
The head office is based at:
Nyantorotoro B street
Nearby Nyankumbu Primary School
Nyankumbu ward
Geita District
Geita Region
P.O.Box 700, Geita, Tanzania
Phone:
+255 755 902 776 (Chair person)
+255 718 340 011 (Alternate number)
+255 766 089 483 (Office assistant)