My name is Tanaka, mostly known as T-Lily, I am from Zimbabwe. I began sending stationery to children in Africa in 2010, when I sent 40 pencil cases to children from my home church. The project came about because whenever I would ask my little sister who was in primary school at the time, what she wanted for her birthday, she would ask for colours, paints and gel pens.

Having travelled to Australia to complete my studies at that time, I decided to start a project that sends stationery sets to children. I began saving some of my pocket money and buying some stationery as it went on sale. At that time I was studying full time and working part time at the Epworth Hospital. I hardly ate out, every opportunity I had I would save the money that I had left over from my bills. In no time I had saved enough money to buy 34 pencil cases, I called a few friends to come and help me pack the stationery. I sent 34 pencil cases to children from my home church in Zimbabwe.

After that I realised that I needed to send the stationery to children with the greatest need. Orphans and Vulnerable children. Therefore I started saving money again and I raised enough to buy 40 pencil cases which went to children at Mama Safi Orphanage in Kenya. In 2012, I sent some stationery to children to a day care centre in Mozambique. This was just stationery (pencil colours, wax crayons, play dough, children colouring books and lollies), because I did not have the children's names and I did not know how many children were there.

This time I am sending again to children in Zimbabwe. There is a mixture of orphans and children that are from struggling families. I am hoping to send 80 pencil cases. I have already purchased 20 pencil cases with my own money and I need help to buy 50 more and to pay for the postage.

(above photo, my first 34 pencil cases, after they were packed in 2010).

I need help to raise $1200, which will be used for purchasing 60 pencil cases:
each pencil case cost roughly $12,50.
60 x $12.50 = $750
Postage to Zimbabwe = $350
Handling/ Taxes = $100

1. Sending the pencil cases is always a problem. I always have to save some money in case they are asked to pay some clearance for the pencil cases to be collected. However, because the pencil cases will be sent through a church and also because the children's names are on the pencil cases this will reduce them having to pay anything. They will be sent through the not for profit means.

2. Due to orphans left from HIV/AIDS deceased parents, one of the challenges is that we may not be able to provide for all the children with a real need.