Childhood was harsh for Shukuru Munro.
She grew up in the small Tanzanian village of Kelema Balai — one of the poorest places in the world, where more than two-thirds of the population live below the internationally recognised income poverty line of about $NZ1.75 a day.
"It’s a very poor area. People always struggle for food. They have maybe one meal a day.
"I loved going to my school in the village because it took my mind off the daily struggles very much.
"For a family to give their kids a backpack or books to write in is a lot. They do not have the money."
The 46-year-old now lives in Broad Bay, where she has spent the past 21 years in relative luxury with her Kiwi husband.
She has been going to markets around Dunedin, selling African paintings and jewellery, Covid masks with African designs on them and food — anything she can create herself to raise money for the school.
Mrs Munro has already raised enough money to fill a shipping container with school bags, drink bottles, shoes, desks and chairs, books, pens and pencils.
Now she is raising money to pay for it to be shipped to Tanzania.
"I thought I could give back by doing some fundraising and give the school some simple things that they can’t afford.
"It’s good to give back and teach the kids that one day they can travel and maybe do the same thing."
Mrs Munro was among many stallholders celebrating Port Chalmers Day on Saturday.
Hundreds of people enjoyed the local shopping and cafes, the community and artisan markets, buskers, face painting and food trucks.
Dunedin Railways ran a train from the Dunedin Railway Station to Port Chalmers and back as part of the celebrations.
