Education
Over the last three decades Dr. Mengi’s efforts in this area have included setting up scholarships to encourage students to do well in their studies and to assist those who do well but are unable to pursue further studies due to monetary constraints, and funding schools which target disadvantaged sections of the community. For example, Dr. Mengi has part financed the running of a boarding secondary school for the daughters of nomadic Masaai who had no access to education and were destined to become child mothers and live in poverty. Now hundreds have been educated and through a scholarship programme which he sponsors some of those who passed have gone on to receive university education. In his capacity as a United Nations WFP “End Hunger” Ambassador in Tanzania Dr. Mengi has also successfully supported a national scheme to provide free meals to school children. This has enhanced school enrolment and attendance.Dr. Mengi greeting students of Ashira Girls Secondary School in Kilimanjaro region when he visited the school, to his Left is Bishop Martin Shao of Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania – Northern Diocese.
Health
Dr. Mengi has taken part in many health initiatives including publicly championing the use of condoms as a way of combating the spread of AIDS despite criticism and opposition from many quarters of society including the Christian faiths. He has also been actively engaged in the fight against fistula which is not a widely known health problem. This illness has now been brought to the forefront of public awareness. However, Dr. Mengi is probably best known for his sponsorship of children to undergo lifesaving heart surgeries in India. In 2011 Dr. Mengi lead a Charity Walk by Moshi Rotary Club within Moshi municipality to raise funds for polio eradication campaign:
He donated. 50m/= for polio eradication drive. He donated a Bajaj for a physically challenged person Elimringi Ngowi.
Dr. Mengi (2nd R) presents flowers to the parents of 30 young heart patients at Julius Nyerere International Airport shortly before they flew to India to undergo heart surgery which he sponsored together with Lions Club of Dar es Salaam. Right is the Chairman of Lions Club of Dar es Salaam Coast, Shiraz Rashid
Environment
Reginald Abraham Mengi’s initiative in the area of conservation has included initiating and funding a campaign to reforest Mount Kilimanjaro in order to reverse the melting of its famous snowcap due to global warming and deforestation. This campaign which he has been funding since it started in 1987, has led to over twenty four million trees being planted on the slopes of the mountain.
Religious tolerance
Tanzania’s needs religious tolerance so as to develop. Reginald Abraham Mengi has for years been advocating for it publicly and privately. He has participated in development activities of diverse religious groups within the country over the years.
Dr. Mengi, Chairman of NEMC with Their Imperial Royal Highnesses, Prince and Princess Takamado of Japan. Left is His Excellency Kaita Sato, the Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania, 13 December, 1999
People with disability
For many years Dr. Mengi has contributed his time and resources to helping improve the lives of disadvantaged sections of society especially those with disabilities. As a result he has consistently participated in setting up development projects which focus on people with disabilities and has stood up to speak out against the discrimination which they face. For example, he was one of the first persons to publicly condemn the barbaric practice of attacking and mutilating the limbs of Albinos and played a significant role in creating public awareness of this atrocity and promoting the Government to address the matter more seriously. Another example is the luncheons which he has been hosting for the last eighteen years for people with disabilities. These annual events which are attended by over five thousand people have become an important stage for raising awareness of the challenges which face people with disabilities. In 2009 Under the Same Sun invited Reginald Mengi to attend an opening ceremony of Tanzania branch office at Mikocheni.
Dr. Mengi serving food to a child at one of his annual luncheons for people with disability
Champion for justice and transparency
Dr. Mengi’s ethos has always been that we all have a moral obligation to expose and fight social injustice and for this reason he has been an outspoken campaigner against social injustice and in particular corruption. In this regard he has taken every opportunity to denounce corruption and those who perpetuate it at public rallies, public events and press conferences and organised and participated in symposiums, meetings and conferences to debate and sensitize the public about corruption and social injustice. In March 2005 Dr. Mengi went further and started two investigative newspapers called ThisDay (English) and Kulikoni (Kiswahili) with the primary objective of focusing on social injustice and corruption. These newspapers have had a significant impact on the fight against social injustice in Tanzania. In 2011 he donated 100m/- to Chama Cha Wafungwa Wastaafu Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro after advising them to reform and lead a decent life by engaging themselves in entrepreneurship. The money was channeled through ELCT Northern Diocese account.
Dr. Reginald Mengi with Retired Chief Justice, Francis Nyalali during an event to mark World Press Freedom Day. The Retired Chief Justice was the Guest of Honour at the event, 3rd May, 2000
Poverty eradication
For many years he has financed youth and women based economic groups and community development projects through various grassroot programmes including Village Community Banks and Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS).
On 31st, March, 2012) at a VICOBA function at its HQ at Sinza Dr Mengi
donated. 100m/= to boast its revolving fund.
Tanzania Private Sector Foundation Chairman Dr Reginald Mengi bids farewell to members of Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce after opening their general meeting in Dar es Salaam