Project "Sharity" - Sharing
Giving Back to the Communities Who Make Our Business Possible
Having access to healthcare services is a human right, but many developing countries lack access to quality healthcare due to various roadblocks, such as a lack of funding and professionals to provide that care.
Because of these challenges, life expectancy is lower in developing countries, and preventable health issues, like curable diseases and maternal mortality, are much more prevalent.
We believe that providing access to healthcare will lead to better health outcomes, and Project Sharity allows us to have a direct impact on the farmers we work with and their families.
Bringing Healthcare to Rural Tanzania
The main goal of Project Sharity is to give back to the communities that make our business great. We want to improve the quality of life of those living in rural areas of Africa who grow and harvest the coffee we sell here at RichlandHub, and we do so by donating profits from our business right back to our partners in Africa.
With a growing need for affordable and equitable healthcare, our first initiative for Project Sharity is building a new health clinic in the Isubula & Masoko villages of Tanzania’s Mbeya region.
Currently, members of this community must walk up to 7 miles for basic health services and 18 miles to reach the district hospital. Our new facility will expand access to health services and will help improve the overall health of the village — contributing to disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and helping women and children, in particular, live longer healthier lives.
Cost Breakdown
Once the building is completed, the government has agreed to place healthcare workers and provide basic medicines and equipment so that the clinic can start offering services right away. But, we have a ways to go before the clinic is ready to start treating patients!
PROGRESS
In phase 1 of the project, we did all the important things. We prepared the lot, laid the foundation, and stood up the initial exterior walls to give the building some shape.
Total Cost: 23M TZS = $8,637 USD
Phase 2 is where the clinic really started taking shape. We finished building the walls of the exterior and interior and installed a roof to protect the building from the elements.
Total Cost: 31M TZS = $11,641.00 USC
Most recently, we installed flooring throughout the inside of the building.
Total Cost: 12M TZS = $4,506 USD
Project Sharity Status Update: October 2024
As of October 2024, the first three phases of our project have been completed, and we are working on raising the funds for Phases 4 and 5, which will include all the finish work for the building, like installing lighting and plumbing, windows, and wall plaster.
The total cost for the remaining phases is 78M Shillings, or $29,539 USD.
In the meantime, we are also finding other ways to support this amazing community. One way is by donating chairs to local schools so children have somewhere to sit while at school. Removing barriers to students investing in their education will help improve the overall quality of life of the community in the long term.
Long-Term Impact
While this clinic is our first iteration of Project Sharity, it certainly won’t be our last. After this project is completed, we’ll move on to other ways we can make a difference in the lives of farmers and families who partner with RichlandHub, and let the healthcare clinic improve the overall well-being of the village and stimulate the local economy.
Interested in Supporting Project Sharity?
Thanks to all of our customers, wholesale partners, and café patrons, we’re well on our way to making a sizeable impact in this community. You can continue to show support for Project Sharity by shopping online for your next bag of premium coffee beans or stopping by our Vancouver, Washington café.
