Listening First, Acting Next

CFL Field Visits to Two Orphanage Centres in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

In late November 2025, Children for Life (CFL) carried out two self-funded field assessment visits in Dar es Salaam to better understand the realities facing orphaned and vulnerable children and to shape practical, targeted support plans.

In the last week of November 2025, Children for Life (CFL) conducted two self-funded orphanage assessment visits in Dar es Salaam to gather baseline information, understand urgent gaps, and identify high-need centres for program support.

These visits were designed to do one simple but essential thing: listen first. By engaging directly with founders, caregivers, and (where appropriate) older children, CFL documented real needs across health, nutrition, education, shelter, safety, and dignity, and began shaping realistic support plans that protect children’s rights and wellbeing.

Visit 1: Mwana Orphans Islamic Foundation (Ilala District – Vingunguti)

On 27 November 2025, CFL visited Mwana Orphans Islamic Foundation in Ilala District, Vingunguti (Central Dar es Salaam). The centre hosts 55 children aged 2 to 18.

The orphanage was founded by an individual whose personal life journey shaped her deep commitment to protecting vulnerable children. The home previously operated elsewhere but lost its former premises due to an ownership conflict and is now renting, increasing financial strain.

What CFL observed as priority gaps

• Health risk: Children currently have no active health insurance, creating high vulnerability during illness or emergencies.

  
  

• Food insecurity: Meals depend on inconsistent donations, leading to frequent shortages. Reliance on charcoal/firewood also affects meal preparation, hygiene, and safety.

  
  

• Education needs: While school-aged children are enrolled, the centre struggles to secure uniforms, shoes, bags, and stationery, especially at the start of each term.

  
  

• Shelter stability: The home pays TZS 500,000 (US$208) monthly rent, with late payments risking eviction and instability for children.

  
  

• Utilities and dignity: Electricity disconnections occur when bills fall behind, and many children lack adequate clothing and personal hygiene items (including sanitary support for girls).

CFL’s initial direction for support

Based on the findings, CFL’s early support priorities include renewing health insurance, providing food and essential items, supporting school supplies, exploring options for rent stability, and assessing clean cooking solutions alongside basic accountability systems and follow-up visits.

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Visit 2: Mwandaliwa Orphanage Centre (Kinondoni District – Mbweni)

On 28 November 2025, CFL visited Mwandaliwa Orphanage Centre in Mbweni, Kinondoni (Northern Dar es Salaam). Founded in 2002, the centre currently supports 96 children aged 3–18, including one 20-year-old youth in college.

Mwandaliwa receives children through referrals from Ustawi wa Jamii (Social Welfare Department) and currently receives medical assistance from Rabininsia Hospital, yet still faces persistent shortages of key essentials.

 

What CFL observed as priority gaps

• Food shortages: Recurrent gaps in consistent meals; caregivers also expressed interest in a small livestock initiative (e.g., cows/goats/chickens) to strengthen longer-term food security.

  
  

• Hygiene and sanitation materials: Shortages of soap, detergent, disinfectant, and sanitary pads (noted for 21 girls).

  
  

• Education materials: Children lack supplies, including exercise books, uniforms, bags, shoes, and paper, affecting readiness for learning and performance.

  
  

• Running costs: Limited petty cash affects utilities, transport, maintenance, and daily operations.

  
  

• Water access: The centre’s water well is non-functional due to a broken pump, urgently affecting cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and daily living.

  
  

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CFL’s initial direction for support

CFL’s emerging plan includes mobilising food support, providing hygiene materials, supplying school items and clothing, conducting a technical assessment for the water-well pump repair, and evaluating the feasibility of the livestock initiative as part of a more sustainable food strategy.

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Why these visits matter

 CFL’s approach is rooted in responsible support: assess needs, identify what’s urgent, then design interventions that can last. In both centres, the assessments confirmed that gaps in food, healthcare access, education materials, water/sanitation, shelter stability, and basic dignity directly affect children’s safety and development. Yet, they are also areas where targeted support can create immediate relief and long-term impact.

How you can help

 CFL is mobilising support around priority needs identified during these visits, including:

·       Health protection (e.g., health insurance renewal)

·       Food and nutrition support

·       School readiness support (uniforms, shoes, stationery, bags)

·       Hygiene and dignity kits (including sanitary materials)

·       Water access restoration (well pump repair)

·       Sustainability pathways (e.g., clean cooking options and small livestock initiatives)

If you are an individual donor, institution, or corporate partner interested in supporting these interventions, please reach out through CFL’s official contact channels on the website or donate directly using the “Donate now” area on the website.

We thank you in advance for your assistance.

Donate, Get Involved or contact us for more information.