Overseas Partnerships
We support an organisation called Grassroots and in particular their work among children in Tanzania. Many members have visited the work there and one is a Trustee of the charity. The work focuses mainly on Orphans and poverty in the  Mybeya district of Tanzania. Many children are supported with education health care, clothing and feeding.
 
See further down this page for more information and some photos about this exciting and challenging venture.
 
As part of ‘Coppers for Kids’ we also sponsor two children.
 
One is a 17 year old girl in Tanzania and the other a 9 year old boy in India.
 
There are also a number of individuals who also sponsor children directly with Grassroots.
 
Praying for the sponsored children as well as ensuring that they have food, clothes and education makes a huge difference to their lives now and their  future.
 
We are committed to helping to make a fairer world and as well as using Fair Trade products in all our activities we support the drive to Make Poverty History including the Micah Challenge and endeavours to outlaw Human Trafficking.
Grassroots..... Our Africa Connection The Grassroots Trust is a Christian UK charity that works in 3 main areas: evangelism; humanitarian aid; and prayer. Grassroots has been working in Tanzania since 1995 when it sent a team of 7 people to provide Christian teaching and evangelism training in a number of churches in Mbeya and Dar Ed Salaam. (See Map)http://grassroots.org.uk/home/shapeimage_2_link_0
Teams have been going to Tanzania at least once a year since 1995. In the last 3 years these visits have become twice yearly. 2001, a Gressroots representative (Liz Clarke) stayed in Mbeya for 9 months.
 
The Grassroots’ Tanzania committee (in the UK) consists of Sharon Anson (director), Robert Sweatman (Trustee) and Catherine Sweatman. One (or more) of these tree have been involved in each of the Tanzania visits.
 
Grassroots aims to work with and through churches in Tanzania. In Mbeya, we have been working with the Pentecostal Stable Church (Airport) and particularly Pastor Kenneth Mwaitolage, In Dar Es Salaam we are working with the Shalom Gospel Assembly Church.
School Sponsorship and scholarship Primary School sponsorship, Mbeya In 1998 we started a primary school sponsorship scheme in Mbeya which has now grown to the sponsorship of 133 children dor the 2003 shool year. This scheme is primarily working with the Mapambano Primary School together with a small number from Pampogo Primary School. Our sponsorship includes: paying the children’s fees (until they stopped being charged): all school contributions:buying school uniforms: providing a nutritional meal for all sponsored children once a week; and paying medical fees (if required). Secondary school sponsorship, Dar Es Salaam In 1998 we started a secondary school sponsorship scheme in Dar Es Salaam. This has deliberately remained at a relatively small size: in 2003 school year 7 students will be sponsored at the Kitunda Academy Secondary school. Our sponsorship include: paying school and exam fees and buying school uniforms. Secondary school scholarship, Mbeya In 2001 we started a secondary school scholarship scheme in Mbeya. These are offered to the top 5 children at the Mapambano Primary school who fail to pass their standard year 7 exams. Children attend the Meta Secondary school. Our sponsorship includes paying all school and exam fees. Children’s Home In April 2001 we purchased a building in the Forest Area, Mbeya. Over the last 18 months we have been refurbishing it with the aim of it becoming a children’s home. We have also recently finished buying the adjacent plot of land too. Our vision is to provide homes for children who have been denied such an environment to live, irrespective of age, sex or background. Initially however it is expected that the children’s home will be used for those who have been released from children’s prison and find that their families (if they have one) are not prepared to receive them back . 14 boys have recently been released from the children’s prison. The home is being managed by a Sharmala Buell, with whom Grassroots has partnered. A team of volunteers from a local church staff this on a 24 hour a day basis.
We also support other organisations making a difference to the lives of people around the world including Tear fund and Open Doors.