Mlali Rehabilitation Centre Fundraising Initiative

Benjamin T. Rainford
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:45:00 PDT

This capstone is a qualitative analysis of a fundraising campaign I am conducting to purchase equipment for Mlali Rehabilitation Centre in Tanzania. The Centre serves 75 children with severe physical disabilities. After volunteering twice, Director Br. Gaudence Aikaruwa asked me to help find external funding. They operate on little support, and their 23-year-old tractor is failing, posing a serious food security threat.

I have since encountered significant obstacles. I found grantmakers were mostly invite-only and generally hesitant to support a large capital investment. I pivoted to crowdfunding, which was more promising but a logistical nightmare. I could neither receive money personally nor send it directly to Tanzania. After trying multiple approaches, I finally established a fiscal sponsorship partnership with a nonprofit in Missoula. This partnership provides credibility and enables tax-deductible donations.

The campaign strategy has evolved from a single large goal (the tractor) to a tiered approach. Immediate needs like walking frames and wheelchairs will create momentum. The tractor is the priority, but will remain a long-term goal. I’ve developed a crowdfunding campaign, which launches in early March targeting 150+ potential donors. This work addresses urgent needs at a center in rural Africa operating with almost no external support. If it succeeds, 75 children will have food security and access to mobility equipment.

My main findings thus far are that international student-led fundraising is difficult, unpredictable, and relies heavily on personal networks. At the time of my presentation, I will share campaign results, current strategy, and a reflection on the process.