A Five Year Progress Report

2009-2014
www.childreachtz.org

About Childreach Tanzania

Childreach Tanzania is a locally registered charity based
in Moshi, Kilimanjaro.
We work in partnership with government primary schools and local communities
to implement sustainable, community-led initiatives aimed at changing the lives of
children. We are guided by the underlying principle of community-based development
and our work is built around long term goals in the areas of health, education, child
rights and child protection.

Childreach Tanzania believes that all children have the

right to unlock their full potential in life and we place this
at the heart of everything we do. We work to break down barriers
that stop children from living freely, providing thousands of children every year
with a chance to transform their lives. We do this by pioneering grassroots projects
that focus on improving childrens access to health, education, child rights and child
protection. Childreach Tanzania works to improve schools by making them brighter,
more child-friendly and overall a healthier environment for children.
We empower children to advocate for their rights by creating child rights clubs in
schools and conducting workshops that put students at the centre of the learning
process. Furthermore we initiate sustainable projects like helping schools to provide
lunches from their farms and light up family homes. Our Deaf Education and
Development Programme encourages the enrolment of deaf children into schools
and provides sign language training to improve communication between deaf
children, teachers and parents.

Our Vision
A world where all children have the opportunity to unlock
their potential in life.
Our Mission
To improve childrens access to healthcare and education, and
to restore childrens rights, empowering resilient children to
create positive change through community based solutions.

Table of Contents
1 Letter from the Chairman
2 Timeline of Childreach Tanzania
5 Firoz Patel and the Story of Childreach Tanzania
2-7 Our Impact
6 Staff Profile: Sheila Makindara, Country Director
8 Supporting Deaf Children and Youth
9 Programme Overview: Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf
11 Student Profile: Maria, Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf
12 Staff Profile: Jonathan Livingstone Mosha, Project Assistant
13 Creating Safe, Healthy, and Child-Friendly Homes and Schools
15 Programme Overview: School Improvement: School Profile: Benjamin William Mkapa School
17 Programme Overview: My School My Voice
19 Teacher Profile: Theresia Joseph Msoka, My School My Voice Twinning Programme UK Exchange
20 Programme Overview: School Farming and Gardening
21 Staff Profile: Emmanuel Ringo, Programme Officer
22 Giving Families a Litre of Light
23 Partnerships
23 UN-World Food Programme
23 Partnership for Health and Development in Africa
23 White Orange Youth
24 Local Government: Mr. Jeshi Lupembe, District Education Officer Moshi Municipal
25 Financial Review
26 Childreach Tanzania Donors and Partners

Letter from the Chairman

Over the past five years I have had the pleasure of watching Childreach
Tanzania raise the bar for ourselves and the children we work with. This
five-year progress report highlights these changes and how Childreach
Tanzanias work has developed and reached more and more communities
in the Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga and Manyara regions.
I am aware that the external environment for non-profit organisations remains
a very challenging one. However, Childreach Tanzania and our partners
have pulled together and shown remarkable resilience, determination, and
sense of purpose. We have truly worked as a united voice for change.
There have been many obstacles; from a tough fundraising climate to difficult economic times all around
the world. Nevertheless staff, volunteers, and trustees have worked hard to continue to implement
programmes for the most vulnerable children in our society.
As this report shows, Childreach Tanzania has grown, learning from and building on their successes.
The organisation has continued to grow rapidly and has successfully secured funds to implement bigger
and better programmes. The most recent Maisha Bora programme, which is a 5-year multi-stakeholder
food security programme in Arusha and Manyara regions, is an excellent example as it highlights the
tenacity and ambitious nature of the staff, and the organisation. Childreach Tanzania is specifically
focusing on improving the nutrition of pregnant and lactating women and children under the age of five
by providing them with more diversified food, access to clean water, and increased awareness about
HIV/AIDS prevention.
Childreach Tanzania relies on the hard work and commitment of the staff and volunteers without whom
this work would not have been possible. I would like to thank all those who have worked so hard to put
Childreach Tanzania where it is today. Their work is an inspiration and ensures that Childreach Tanzania
is able to continue fulfilling its goals and continue changing the lives of thousands of children.
As we look to the next five years, I am proud of what Childreach Tanzania has achieved so far and
excited about a future where children in Tanzania will continue to be given the opportunity to unlock
their full potential.

Sincerely,

Boniface Mariki
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Childreach Tanzania

Our Impact
Children
35,050 children have

benefitted from Childreach

Tanzanias programmes in
95 schools

8,140 children have

benefited from renovated

or newly constructed
school buildings, including
classrooms, toilets, kitchens
and dining halls

7,250 children have learned

about their rights through My
School My Voice clubs in 24
primary schools

959 students now enjoy the

right to play with new sports

equipment

500 children have benefited

from the Family Energy Project

245 students were trained in

sign language

245

deaf children have been

enrolled in schools

48

students have received

training at Ghona Vocational
Centre for the Deaf

Timeline of Childreach Tanzania

Childreach Tanzania was founded and became an affiliate of Childreach
International under the leadership of Anita Chilunda

20 09

23 School Improvement projects were initiated in 11 schools

15 groups of university students from the UK traveled to Tanzania to visit
Childreach Tanzanias projects and climb Mount Kilimanjaro
100 trees were planted in schools as part of the Carbon Offsetting Project

15 School Improvement projects were carried out in 4 schools

Carbon Offsetting Project expanded and more trees were planted at schools

20 10

School Feeding project started at schools in Manyara Region

School Twinning project started between schools in Tanzania and the UK
Began supporting Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf in
partnership with Signal (previously Woodford Foundation)
Sheila Makindara became Childreach Tanzanias second Country Director

School Farming and Gardening Programme was initiated with the goal of
developing sustainable school feeding programmes

20 11

Through the School Improvement Programme 10 schools were renovated

Tree planting continued to preserve the environment in target communities
Support of the Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf continued
School Twinning project expanded with 8 new links between schools in
Tanzania and the UK

Childreach Tanzania partnered with Partnership for Health and Development

in Africa ( PHEDA) to build capacity of health education in schools (2012-13)

20 12

Childreach Tanzania partnered with Kilimanjaro Women Information

Exchange and Consultancy Organisation (KWIECO) to promote a large-scale
campaign for child rights awareness in 28 schools in Kilimanjaro region
(2012-13)
In partnership with White Orange Youth, Childreach Tanzania provided
children in Moshi rural with access to better protection by improving child
protection systems and structures (2012-13)

In partnership with ACE Africa, Childreach Tanzania improved the wellbeing of children by increasing their knowledge of childrens rights and HIV
prevention while improving access to nutritious food and community-based
psychosocial support (programmed ended in 2013)

20 12

Childreach Tanzania continued running programmes at Ghona Vocational

Centre for the Deaf
School Twinning Programme was improved and renamed My School My
Voice and was implemented in 21 schools
Family Energy Project Litre of Light Programme began as an expansion of
the Carbon Offsetting Project
Through the School Improvement Programme 4 schools were renovated
Childreach Tanzania initiated a partnership with the World Food Programme
(WFP) and started implementing projects together
Support of the Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf continued
Family Energy Project Litre of Light Programme continued

20 13

As part of the My School My Voice Programme, Childreach Tanzania helped 14

Tanzanian teachers visit the UK, funded by the British Councils Connecting
Classrooms programme
An all-female climbing team summited Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness
about girls education and the importance of school meals. The climbing team
was was comprised of 10 women from Nepal, South Africa and Tanzania. After
summiting Mount Kilimanjaro the climbing team visited schools supported by
Childreach Tanzania and the World Food Programme (WFP) to inspire girls to
achieve their educational goals
Through a partnership with Deaf Child Worldwide, Childreach Tanzania
started the Deaf Education and Development Programme (scheduled to end
in 2017)

20 14

As part of the school gardening project, Childreach Tanzania collaborated on

a project with the World Food Programme to reduce hunger and malnutrition
among school children and improve academic performance and attendance
rates in Simanjiro District
Developed partnership with GIZ, a German organisation dedicated to
international cooperation for sustainable development
Through the School Improvement Programme 5 schools were renovated
Support of the Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf continued
Childreach Tanzania received the Stars Impact Award for Education in Africa
Middle-East

2015

A documentary, Holding Up the Sky, which documented the all-female

climb up Mount Kilimanjaro premiered at the Arusha Film Festival and won
the category of Best Documentary of the Year

Firoz Patel and the story of Childreach Tanzania

Childreach Tanzania was registered in 2009. But our story began six years earlier when the Chief
Executive of Childreach International, Firoz Patel, then an International Development student from the
University of East London, visited the Kilimanjaro region for the first time.
The people Firoz met and things he learned inspired him to find a way to create real change for the
children of the region. When he returned to London, he founded a voluntary organisation with other
ambitious students who shared his vision.
Since Firoz secured a small grant from the university in 2005, he has established a model of grassroots
development based on empowering young leaders, building trust with communities and approaching
everything we do with the patience and humility needed to form the relationships that are essential for
long term change.
Focusing initially on school improvement programmes, Childreach Tanzania opened an office in Moshi
in the Kilimanjaro region in 2009. Under the leadership of Sheila Makindara, Childreach Tanzania was
the first Childreach office to become an independent locally registered organisation in 2012.
This evolution of the relationship between Childreach International and Childreach Tanzania has been
key to the successes of the last five years. While Childreach Tanzania continues to receive training,
capacity building, funding, and organisational support from Childreach International, our Tanzania
team is now able to design, implement and find funding for its own programmes like the ones you will
read about in this report.
Ive been privileged to watch the Childreach Tanzania team grow and develop. They are
not afraid of a challenge and love solving problems. What drives them is that they cant
accept that children grow up in poverty or face abuse and discrimination. Childreach
Tanzania have proved as this report shows - that with humility and hard work we can lift
the weights that are preventing children from fulfilling their potential.
What the last five years have taught me is that our people and relationships are our biggest
strength. I dont just mean between our staff members in Tanzania and internationally.
Real change only happens when children, parents, teachers and community leaders are the
agents of change in partnership with the local government. We are all capable of amazing
things. But were capable of more - together. We empower people because it works.

Staff Profile
Sheila Makindara, Country Director
Sheila is truly a leader of Childreach Tanzania and has significantly contributed to the organisations
success and growth. Sheila began her career at Childreach Tanzania in November 2010 filling the role
of Operations Manager. When Anita Chilunda, the previous Country Director, left the organisation it
soon became clear that Sheila was the right person to take Childreach Tanzania forward. Due to her
commitment to the organisations values and undeniable leadership ability, Sheila was promoted to
Country Director in 2012.
In addition to becoming the Country Director in 2012, Sheila received a Master of Business Administration
in Human Resources Management from the University of Dar es Salaam. During her time at Childreach
Tanzania she has been able to translate theory into practice to best support the Childreach Tanzania
team and target communities, and she is driven by her strong belief that a person can transform their
life through education more than anything else.
Sheila works directly with Childreach Internationals UK team and other affiliate offices around the
world. Over the past four years Sheila has been able to develop an organisational culture centered on
respect, dedication, and teamwork. Sheila describes the Childreach team as, young, energetic, vibrant,
passionate about what they do, independent, rational, interested in development, and most of all
they care about children and the community. Sheilas leadership and the dedication of the Childreach
Tanzania team have been at the heart of the success of the last five years.
Sheila was selected as a 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow, a flagship programme of President Obamas
Young African Leaders Initiative, and spent seven weeks in the United States of America learning about
Civic Leadership. She was based at Arizona State University and had an opportunity to learn, share and
network with leaders in America, other young African leaders from across the African continent and
attended a town hall meeting with President Obama in Washington DC.

Helping children across Tanzania to access education gives me great joy and a sense
of certainty that I am in the right place in life. It highly motivates me and gives me the
energy to continue the work that we do. I especially want to motivate girls and young
women to acquire education as that is one of the best ways to find independence, and to
have an improved socioeconomic status. Sheila

Shela Makindara Country Director Childreach Tanzania, receives the 2014 Stars Impact Award for Education in Africa
Middle-East from former US President Bill Clinton and Stars Foundation Founding Chairman He Amr-Al Dabbagh

Our Impact
Teachers
98 teachers were trained in sign

language

87 teachers were trained in

participatory teaching methods

55 teachers were trained in

psychosocial support and counselling

methods

50 education coordinators from the

local government were trained on the

importance of positive parenting for
deaf children

22 Tanzanian teachers, who are

part of My School My Voice, visited

the UK with Connecting Classrooms
programme

10

offices were renovated in

different schools in Kilimanjaro and 1
administration block was built at one
school in Manyara region

8 toilets for teachers were built and 3

were renovated

1 house for teachers was built and 2

were renovated at 3 schools

Food and Nutrition

85,000 kilograms of maize have

been harvested

6,000 eggs are produced each

month as part of the poultry project

at the Ghona Vocational Training
Centre for the Deaf. A total of 88,956
eggs were produced between May
2014 and May 2015

5,912 children now enjoy hot,

healthy lunches through the School

Gardening and Farming Programme

Supporting Deaf Children and Youth

Programme Overview:
Deaf Education and
Development Programme
In June 2014 Childreach Tanzania partnered
with Deaf Child Worldwide and began the
Deaf Education and Development Programme
to work more closely with deaf children and
youth, a population that is often forgotten and
marginalised in Tanzania.

The objective is to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of 398 deaf children

and young people, as well as 200 parents
and caregivers in the Kilimanjaro region.
We focus on improving access to education
for deaf students and providing sign language
training to young people, teachers, and parents to
improve their communication. The students also
receive vocational training so that they can set up
their own small businesses and be economically
independent after completing school.
After one year, Childreach Tanzania has built
relationships with schools, local government
officials, and community members as well as
collaborated with local media and other likeminded organisations to advocate for better
training, education and services for deaf children
and youth. Specific examples of how Childreach
Tanzania has advocated for deaf children and
youth include:

Met with district officials who are responsible

for budgeting and planned to increase the
budget for schools catering to deaf students
Sensitised government officials on the needs
and rights of deaf people, and emphasised the
importance of supporting deaf children and
youth
Held workshops with hospitals, churches,
mosques, and courts so that they can best
serve deaf children and youth
Encouraged local business men and women to
offer internships for deaf youth
Some of the major successes of the Deaf Education
Development Programme include the formation
of two parent groups to support the programme,
and schools that cater to deaf students have
been strengthened through the provision of
materials such as books, sports equipment, and
sewing machines, for both formal classes as well
as vocational training.

Childreach Tanzania has provided sign

language training to 245 students, 98
teachers, and 7 school staff members in
the Kilimanjaro Region.
Life skills workshops were conducted for 21 deaf
youth in their final year of school to prepare them
for the social and economic challenges they will
face when they finish their education.

Programme Overview:
Ghona Vocational Training
Centre for the Deaf
In 1995 there was only one school in Tanzanias
northern zone that catered to deaf children and
over 150 deaf children were on the waiting list to
enroll. This inadequate provision of education for
deaf children in the Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Manyara
and Tanga regions led to the formation of the
UWAVIKA, the Association of Parents with Deaf
Children in the Northern Zone.

This tenacious group of parents went on to

successfully persuade the government to
invest in deaf education and there are now
12 primary schools in the northern zone
with programmes for deaf children.
Having managed to significantly increase the
number of primary schools, UWAVIKA met again
in 2004 to find ways of addressing the severe
shortage of secondary schools with the capacity
to support deaf students and lack of teachers
with knowledge of sign language. The parents
dreamed of being able to establish a vocational
training centre where deaf youth could acquire
knowledge and skills that would enable them
to be independent and support themselves and
their families.
In 2009, UWAVIKAs vision became a reality
when the Ghona Vocational Training Centre for
the Deaf (VTCD) was built, with support from
Signal (previously Woodford Foundation). Ghona
is now the only vocational training centre in
Tanzania catering solely to deaf students. The
centres mission is to ensure deaf children and
youth have equal access to education, skills
development and employment. Since opening,
14 students have graduated. Today 34 students
are currently attending the centre which offers
a range of courses covering carpentry, tailoring,
entrepreneurship, life skills, mathematics,
English, civics education, engineering, science,
and technical drawing. Over the past five
years, Childreach Tanzania has overseen all
programmes at Ghona and has been instrumental

in the centres growth, attracting students from

different regions of the country, and offering
more diverse programmes to students.
Three income generating activities have been
established at the Ghona Centre, which include a
poultry project, a livestock project and a vegetable
garden. These projects generate funds for the
centre and provide hands-on entrepreneurship
training for the students. A number of students
have participated in the poultry project and are
responsible for caring for the chickens.

The poultry project has been very

successful and 75,920 eggs were produced
during the second half of 2014 alone.
The money raised from selling the eggs, either
directly to customers or through 20 local
businesses, has been used to cover the costs of
student transport to the hospital and student
meals. These income generating activities provide
students with valuable skills that have improved
the learning environment at the Ghona Centre.
Many students have returned to their homes and
started their own vegetable gardens as a way
for their families to generate income and also to
improve their diets.
Childreach Tanzania, with funding support from
Signal has also facilitated a number of school
improvement projects at the Ghona Centre. One
of these projects was connecting six buildings to
a water harvest system, which allowed the centre
to access approximately 180,000 litres of water
annually. Before the new system was introduced,
students were using borehole water, which is not
safe or cost effective.

Due to this project there has been a 70%

reduction in waterborne disease amongst
the Ghona Centre students.
Students have access to safe water and in turn
have better hygiene. Childreach Tanzania have
also overseen the construction of a carpentry
workshop, a sewing workshop, a new kitchen and
dining hall, which can accommodate up to 150

people. Before these improvements the students

were learning and eating outside where it is
sunny and dusty. Now the students have a clean
and comfortable place to congregate for learning
and for meals.

The new kitchen is fitted with an energy

saving stove, which has decreased the
centres firewood usage by 70%.
Childreach Tanzania has also increased the
centres energy efficiency by installing solar
power in the dormitories and classrooms so
that the students can study at night. This has
improved the students academic performances
and decreased the amount of money being spent
on kerosene.

The students at Ghona receive a quality education

tailored to their individual needs.

In 2013 and 2014 the students finished

with some of the top test scores in the
Kilimanjaro region from schools for both
hearing and deaf students.
The success of Ghonas students can be
attributed to the students drive to learn, as well
as the dedication of their teachers. Childreach
Tanzania has worked with the highly motivated
team of teachers and school staff to train them
in sign language and learner-centered teaching
methods. Furthermore, sign language courses
are frequently held for parents so they can
communicate better with their children.

I like this Centre. I like the skills I get in carpentry. It will help me get a job.
I might come back and be a teacher here. I want to be a carpentry teacher
and teach other deaf students.
Flori, Student at Ghona Centre

10

Student Profile: Maria

Ghona Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf
The changes to Ghona, including the construction of the new workshop have had a huge impact on the
quality of education the students receive.

My name is Maria (age 22), I am from the northern part of Tanzania and I
gained a place at the [Ghona] Centre in 2012. When I first arrived most of the
schools infrastructures were not complete and we lived and studied with no
electricity, no workshop and insufficient working tools in the tailoring and
carpentry sections. There was one small room for tailoring practices and the
boys had to work under a tree with fixed wood benches for carpentry. It was
very hard for us to learn and work for long periods at a time, the place was
hot and sunny and during rainy season students could not attend practical
sessions.
We thank Childreach Tanzania and Signal for helping us by constructing the
workshop and supplying tools. Now we have a place to work and practice. The
workshop has helped us improve our skills in tailoring; we really thank you
very much.
The workshop has improved our academic performance and practical skills.
Now we can learn and make things like uniforms for primary school students
and furniture. The place is comfortable, and now we know we can make it in
life because we learn practical things in a comfortable place.

11

Staff Profile: Jonathan Livingstone Mosha, Project Assistant

Jonathan is one of the committed individuals who makes Childreach Tanzanias Deaf Education and
Development Programme a success. His main responsibilities include teaching sign language to children,
teachers, and parents; working with the teachers and students at Ghona Vocational Training Centre
for the Deaf; and enthusiastically supporting the organisations Deaf Education and Development
Programme.
Jonathan joined Childreach Tanzania in 2014 but his journey as an advocate for deaf children and youth
began in 1996 when he was working as an electrician in Mwanza. While working on a job building a hall
of worship, Jonathan met a young man who was deaf. The young man and Jonathan began attending
the same church and Jonathan started writing everything down for the young man so that he could
understand. After a year of writing sermons every Sunday, Jonathan asked the young man if there was
another way that they could communicate with one another. This is when Jonathan learned about the
Tanzania Association for the Deaf and his life changed forever.
Jonathan began taking sign language classes and eventually became an interpreter. Since then, Jonathan
has facilitated trainings for the Tanzania Association for the Deaf and has worked with many teachers
and parents of deaf children. He has also worked at the national level, advocating for sign language to
be included in the Tanzanian Constitution. In 2001 he was chosen to review the constitution and ensure
that the deaf community was represented fairly.
Every staff member and volunteer at Childreach Tanzania now enjoys attending Jonathans weekly sign
language courses. In mid 2015 Jonathan was very excited to begin teaching sign language to 25 staff
members of the Moshi Municipal Council. With new skills, the municipal staff will be able to better
communicate with deaf people.

I help deaf children because

people dont think that deaf
children can learn. Parents
make their deaf children
work hard, others hide their
children
because
families
dont want people to see them.
Most deaf people in Tanzania
struggle because they cannot
communicate with people in
their communities and very few
deaf people have the opportunity
to attend school past primary
school, but Childreach Tanzania
is changing all of this.
- Jonathan

12

Creating Safe, Healthy, and

Child-Friendly Homes and Schools
Programme Overview: School Improvement
The School Improvement Programme has been implemented in 53 schools in Tanzania. Together
with volunteers from the UK, both university students and corporate partners, Childreach Tanzania
has built and renovated 75 classrooms, constructed 196 toilets, built 6 playgrounds, constructed 17
environmentally friendly kitchens with energy saving stoves, and installed 10 water systems at schools.
This programme aims to improve the comfort of the schools and help create a safe space where children
can learn.

School Profile: Benjamin William Mkapa School

Outline of Construction Projects at Benjamin William Mkapa School

2010
2011

Built playground
with swings, a
football pitch,
and netball and
volleyball courts

13

Construction of
one water well
with a pump

Renovation of
two classrooms

Painting of
entire school

Construction
of veranda
outside of
classrooms

Construction
of a modern
kitchen with
energy saving
stove

Construction
of three
classrooms

Construction
of dining hall

Construction of
modern toilet
block with 22
holes/cubic

I am very thankful for the new

kitchen. Now I am healthy and do
not get sick from inhaling too much
smoke. I am thankful to Childreach
Tanzania School Cook

Now the boys and girls have their own toilets so the girls feel more comfortable. Girls
come to school more now because they have better and private toilets to use. Before
there was no water, but now there is. The girls feel happier at school.
- 13 year old female student in Standard 7

14

The Benjamin William Mkapa

Primary School is located just
outside of Moshi town in
Mabogini village.
The schools motto Elimu ni Ukombozi (meaning
Education is Liberty) can be seen throughout the
brightly painted classrooms and on the newly
constructed playground. The school employs 14
teachers for 917 students attending pre-primary
through Standard 7 classes.
Childreach Tanzania initiated the School
Improvement Programme at Benjamin William
Mkapa Primary School in 2010 and has since
implemented other programmes at the school.
The community has worked in close partnership
with Childreach Tanzania from the beginning.
Childreach Tanzania initiated meetings with
school committees at all levels of project
implementation, participated in community
meetings, and the community members donated
their time to help with the construction process
and at times worked as security guards to ensure
the safety of the project supplies.

A key part of the success of the School

Improvement Programme has been the
partnerships with international businesses and
universities. Through Childreach Internationals
Futurebuild and Big Build programmes,
corporations and university students in the UK
raise funds and travel to Tanzania for the sole
purpose of volunteering their time and labour
to contribute to community development.
The teams camp at the schools and work with
Childreach Tanzania, school management, and
the community to participate in building school
infrastructure.
Before Childreach Tanzania began working at
Benjamin William Mkapa Primary School in 2010
the school was lacking basic facilities and the
classrooms could not accommodate the number
of students attending the school. There were
only four toilet cubicles for over 400 students
and the school did not have running water or a
playground. The schools cooks had to prepare
meals outside as there was no kitchen, and there
was no dining room or chairs where children
could eat their lunch, so they had to sit outside
under trees and in the dust to eat their meals.

2009 - 2014

MSMV

x 22

Since Childreach Tanzania began working with

Benjamin William Mkapa School, the school and
its students have flourished. In 2010 and 2011
Childreach Tanzania built 3 new classrooms, a
toilet block, and a kitchen with an energy saving
stove. In 2013 a garden and the My School My

x 11

Voice programme was initiated.

x1
x1

15

Over the last five years the number of

toilet holes has increased from 4 to 22;
there are now 11 classrooms, a kitchen, a
dining hall where the students eat lunch
every school day, a playground, and a
water well where children have access to
running water while at school.

The physical improvements to the school have had a huge impact on the students academic performance
and lives. The Head Teacher has observed that the number of students playing on the school grounds
has increased, truancy rates have decreased and examination scores have improved. The number of

girls attending the school has increased from 364 to 497 and now there are more female
students enrolled in the school than male students. When Childreach Tanzania began working

with the Benjamin William Mkapa School there were 100 students studying in each classroom. However,
due to the increased number of classrooms, there are fewer children in one classroom (between 60
and 70 students) so it is easier for students to concentrate and receive personal attention from their
teachers.

We no longer have to learn in shifts, before 2010 we learned either in the morning or
the afternoon. There were not enough desks for all of us and our teachers did not have
working desks. The blackboard was not good and the floor had holes on it. The toilets
were in bad shape and at break time we would have to wait in line for a very long time,
it was not clean due to congestion and scarcity of water. Now things have changed. We
now have enough classrooms and dont have to study in shifts. I am happy about the
changes. Before, there were no trees but now there is shade to sit under during break
hours. Before, not all of my friends came to school, but now more children attend school
and we behave better.
- 12 year old student in Standard 6
16

Programme Overview: My school, My voice

My school, My voice

29 clubs at 24 schools
725 children and teachers reached
7,250 community members reached
339 childrens rights workshops held
142 teachers trained in practical

professional development

It is important for the children to know their rights. It allows them to build their
confidence, which enables them to express themselves and build their aspirations
about what they want in life. I encourage them to express their ideas through drama,
drawing, and to be creative and share their ideas. Now my students are learning more,
I can teach in a way they like the lesson and they are having fun and are more engaged.
Kibo Primary School Teacher
17

Childreach Tanzania started the My School My Voice programme

in 2010 and it is now being implemented in 24 schools.
The programme delivers interactive workshops within schools and communities, with the aim of
increasing knowledge of child rights, providing teachers with professional development opportunities,
and building the capacity of community and duty bearers to identify and respond to child rights violations.
The programme also provides children with platforms to make their voices heard and encourages them
to be child rights advocates within their schools and the wider community. Children in the My School
My Voice clubs participate in a range of activities, which include using art and drama for self-expression,
learning about childrens rights and responsibilities, participating in sports and life skills education, and
learning about the mechanisms in place to report cases of child abuse in their communities. Many of
the students involved in the clubs teach their friends about childrens rights and responsibilities outside
of school. My School My Voice also creates linkages between children in Tanzanian schools with those
in the UK for mutual learning and sharing and for raising global awareness.

Each year the programme has expanded its reach and in 2014 there were a total of 29
My School My Voice clubs at 24 schools in four districts of the Kilimanjaro region. The
programme has directly reached 725 children and teachers and, indirectly, 7,250 people
in the surrounding communities. In three years Childreach Tanzania has conducted 339 childrens
rights workshops in schools and four child rights committees are now established in the communities.

Teachers from the schools where My School My Voice clubs are active have received practical professional
development training, 87 teachers were trained in participatory teaching methodologies and

55 teachers were trained in psychosocial counseling. The participatory teaching methodologies

training encourages teachers to transition from using teacher-centered facilitation to learner-centered
pedagogy, which engages students in the learning process and encourages interactive learning. The
psychosocial counseling training focused on methods of providing emotional support to marginalised
children.
Students and teachers at Singachini Primary School in Kibosho have recognised that their school has
changed for the better in response to the implementation of Childreach Tanzanias My School My Voice
programme, which was started at the school in 2012. The club has completed a number of projects
including planting fruit trees and a garden, which benefits the entire school. Students have observed
a shift in the way in which their teachers are delivering lessons and remarked that students are more
engaged in the learning process and have more opportunities to ask questions. Singachini students
say that through the programme they have found their voices, they are able to help each other stand
up for their rights and learn from on another. Add: Furthermore, through My School My Voice the
safeguarding of children has been strengthened. Children indicate knowing where to report abuse and
now recognise when their rights are being violated.

18

Teacher Profile: Theresia Joseph

Msoka, My School My Voice Twinning
Programme UK Exchange
Part of the My School My Voice programme is
connecting students and teachers in Tanzania
with peers in the UK. These students and teachers
have the opportunity to communicate, share
experiences, engage in mutual learning regarding
child rights and culture, and are introduced to a
community of global citizens. In 2014, a number
of projects were supported in Tanzania by schools
in the UK. These projects include:
School kitchen construction
Toilet renovation
Water connection
The provision of school supplies such as
books, sports equipment, and desks
The funds necessary to conduct a communitybased child rights training.
Through My School My Voice school linkages
programme teachers from both Tanzania and
the UK secured Connecting Classrooms grants
from the British Council to visit each others
classrooms. Teachers from the schools in
Tanzania have hosted a number of teachers from

22
Tanzanian teachers prepare for trips to the
UK. Childreach Tanzania plays an indispensable

the UK and Childreach Tanzania has helped

role in helping Tanzanian teachers with all of the

logistics and preparing them for the culture shock
that they may experience in the UK. The teachers
who have embarked on these exchanges have
greatly benefited, gaining understanding about
other education systems, learning about how to
teach global issues, and building their personal
teaching skills.
In 2012 Theresia Joseph Msoka became involved
with Childreach Tanzania through My School My
Voice club at Majengo Primary School. Theresia
has been a primary school teacher in Kilimanjaro
for 26 years and has been a teacher at Majengo
Primary School located in Moshi Urban for the
past 13 years. In an interview with Theresia, she
explained that she became a teacher because she
thought it is a respected profession, I am proud to

19

know that I can help children know what is going

on. Wherever you are you can always educate
others, always have knowledge to share.
Theresia is proud of her students and their
dedication to the My School My Voice club in their
school. She believes that the programme is having
a positive impact on her students, their school
and even their communities. Theresia stated,
Children are sharing what they learn about
child rights with their communities, families, and
friends.
As a teacher involved in the My School My
Voice programme, Theresia has participated
in a number of teacher training programmes
centered on participatory, child-friendly learning.
Through these trainings Theresia has become a
better teacher and feels she is making a bigger
impact on her students. She has learned how to
engage her students by having them participate
in group work rather than always employing
the lecture method. She also now uses teaching
aids such as posters, drawings and plays games
with her students in order to keep them actively
engaged.
In 2013 Theresia had the opportunity to travel to
the UK and visit a school for one week as part of
the Twinning Programme. Childreach Tanzania
helped Theresia prepare for her trip, including
helping her with the visa application process.
Since returning to Tanzania, Theresia has tried
to implement new teaching strategies that she
observed in the UK.

Thank you Childreach Tanzania. I have

learned a lot of things and I know I will
still learn many things from Childreach.
I want to congratulate the Childreach
staff for doing a great job. Theresia

Programme Overview:
School Farming and Gardening

We are very thankful to Childreach Tanzania because the project has helped
our children, the project has helped improving their health and acquired
education to take back to home. They have now started some gardens and
have at least given them some form of self-reliance. Teacher, Kahe Ward

Childreach Tanzania began implementing the School Farming and Gardening Programme in 2011 in

Over the course

of four years the programme has directly benefitted 29 primary schools, and a total of
12,029 children. The programme has been implemented at schools in the districts of Moshi Rural,

response to the lack of school lunches available to children in northern Tanzania.

Hai and Mwanga in Kilimanjaro region, as well as Simanjiro district in Manyara region in conjunction
with the local government, surrounding communities, and school leadership committees. By improving
their health and nutrition and reducing hunger through sustainable farming in schools, the programme
has improved students academic performance.
Through the school gardening programme children receive a nutritious lunch at least three times a
week, comprised of vegetables and maize straight from the garden. At some schools, prior to partnering
with Childreach Tanzania, parents were required to contribute food for their childrens school lunches.
For many of these parents this was a financial burden that they were unable to commit to and may have
prevented children from coming to school. But since this programme was introduced parents only have
to contribute their time to help the schools take care of their gardens and farms.
The programme has been very successful, having a positive impact on both the health of students as
well as their academic performance. Before the programme started the average attendance rate at the
selected schools was 80%, however after four years school attendance has increased to 92%.
Our research shows that this increase can be attributed to the provision of school lunches. Students
are also doing better on their national examinations. In 2011 the average score on the Standard

7 national examination was 45%, by 2014 the average increased to 73%.

20

Staff Profile: Emmanuel Ringo, Programme Officer

Emmanuel Ringo began working at Childreach Tanzania in 2011 and since joining the team he has seen
the organisation grow and expand its reach to more children and communities in northern Tanzania.
Emmanuel is responsible for Childreach Tanzanias School Farming and School Gardening programmes
where he teaches students, teachers, and communities about basic farming and gardening techniques,
nutrition, and how to develop small agricultural activities.

Emmanuel is proud of the work that he has contributed to at Childreach Tanzania,

especially being part of an organisation that has reached over 30,000 children.
Emmanuels family is from the Kilimanjaro region and he attended high school in Moshi. During his
final year of high school Emmanuel attended a training facilitated by the Tanzania National Parks
Association to become a guide for people climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. During this training he learned
about community participation and the relationship that local people have with the mountain. In turn,
when he graduated from high school he was determined to continue his studies in a field that explored
the relationship between people and their environment. He attended Sokoine University of Agriculture
where he received a BA in Rural Development.
After graduating from university, Emmanuel returned to Moshi and began working for Childreach
Tanzania. Working as a Programme Officer has allowed him to translate the theory he learned in
university into practice and support communities to be self-sufficient. Since 2011 Emmanuel has grown
both as a member of the Childreach Tanzania team and a young professional. He has developed strong
public speaking, leadership, and writing skills.

When I was growing up we never had good classrooms, so what Childreach has
given to these children and the investments the organisation has made is great,
we have done something amazing for the children of Tanzania. Emmanuel

21

Giving Families a Litre of Light

Many of the houses in Moshi rural are dark during the day due to a lack of windows. In order for people
to do housework or for students to study inside some source of light is required. In response to this need
for light, Childreach Tanzania adopted the Litre of Light technology as part of the organisations Family
Energy Project pilot. The project consists of installing an innovative low-cost technology that is reliant on
sunlight, which provides an ecologically sustainable source of interior light at no cost. This technology
can be installed in homes with thin tin roofs that have small or no windows. The technology is simple it
is a one and half litre plastic recycled water bottle, which is refilled with water and a minimal amount of
bleach to inhibit algae growth, and then fitted through the tin roof of a house. During the day the water
inside the bottle refracts sunlight, delivering

approximately as much light as a 40 to 60 watt

bulb to the interior. If properly installed, the Litre of Light can last up to five years.

The Family Energy Project ran from 2012 to 2014 in Lotima Village located in Moshi Rural district. Before
the Litre of Light technology was installed the local government and Childreach Tanzania identified
the houses that best fit the required criteria. In order to qualify for the programme the household
needed to have children and/or students living in the house and the house had to have a tin roof. The
project was a great success and

100 households benefited from the project, which directly

impacted 500 children.

The Litre of Light only provided a solution to energy issues during the day so 196 solar torches were
provided to families involved in the project. In turn, families no longer have to purchase as much
kerosene and batteries and are saving money, as the torches charge themselves during the day using
sunlight. The solar torches have allowed the community to water their farms and/or gardens at night,
which is preferable due to the climate in the area. Before the distribution of solar torches it was not safe
to go out at night and work on their farms, but now that they have the torches they feel much safer and
can work when it is dark.
The Family Energy Project has greatly benefited students. One mother remarked that in the past it
was very difficult for her children to get ready for school because the house was so dark, but now it is
easier and her children get to school on time. She has now seen her childrens academic performances
improve due to the fact that with their Litre of Light they can study after school. A Form 3 female
secondary school student has also seen her academic performance improve. Before the project started
she was unable to study at home because she could not afford to buy kerosene, but now she can study
in her house during the day and at night. Since Litre of Light was installed at her house her examination
scores have improved and she feels more confident in school. Community members enrolled in the
project now feel safer as having solar torches at night gives them a sense of security.

Thank you Childreach

Tanzania
for
giving
my family light. It has
improved my education.
I really like school and
one day I want to be an
accountant. Now I can
study and do well.
Form 3 Female Secondary
School Student

22

Partnerships
UN-World Food Programme
Due the early successes of School Farming
Programme in 2012 Childreach Tanzania began
receiving funding from the UNs World Food
Programme (WFP). Over the past three years
Childreach Tanzania and WFP have built a strong
working relationship. Representatives from
WFP say that they continue to collaborate with
Childreach Tanzania because the organisation
is a dedicated partner with strong relationships
with local government and schools and most of
all the Childreach Tanzania team is comprised of
young ambitious dedicated professionals.
In 2014 WFP and Childreach Tanzania embarked

a pilot project in ten schools, for

4,527 children in Simanjiro district. The
on

immediate goal of the project is to reduce hunger

and malnutrition among primary school children
and, over time, improve the childrens academic
performance as well as increase enrollment.
The project also aims to increase awareness
about nutrition and train school committees and
communities about the importance of a varied
diet. Students are encouraged to take their new
knowledge of gardening back to their families to
promote behaviour change and a shift in attitudes
towards eating healthy.
In 2015 Childreach Tanzania is collaborating

food
security project that will impact 9,000
households in 15 villages in Longido and
Simanjiro districts in Arusha and Manyara
regions. The programme will support pregnant
with the World Food Programme on a

women, breastfeeding mothers, and children

under the age of five and ensure that these
populations are receiving nutritious food. A large
portion of the project is dedicated to behaviour
change regarding nutrition for these populations.
Community groups will be formed to raise
awareness about the importance of eating
nutritious food and change their peers attitudes
in an effort to increase healthy living and reduce
stunting.

23

Partnership for Health

Development in Africa

and

In 2012 Childreach Tanzania and Partnership

for Health and Development in Africa (PHEDA)
came together to strengthen school health
programmes and enhance access to school health
programmes in four schools in the Kilimanjaro
region. The partnership with PHEDA had a

positive influence on the health of almost

1,400 children. The project established school
health clubs in four schools, which improved
access to health services for 711 students.

The clubs curriculum focused on health

education classes on hygiene, sanitation and HIV/
AIDS. PHEDA provided four schools with seven
hand washing and seven drinking water facilities.
The clubs used a peer to peer education model
where children trained their friends, families and
communities. PHEDA provided the clubs with
exercise books, first aid materials, and a safe
space for the children to practice first aid.
Two health teachers from each of the four schools
where the clubs were formed, attended trainings
in health education, which included managing
school health programmes and the basics of
writing project funding proposals. Head teachers
at the schools were trained in basic first aid and
how to document first aid services given to their
students. With the Red Cross PHEDA trained 153
students in first aid.

White Orange Youth

In 2012 White Orange Youth received a grant
from Childreach Tanzania to provide 100 children
with access to improved local child protection
structures and systems. White Orange Youth aims
to empower youth by giving them the knowledge
to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and make
healthy choices in their lives. The organisation
also provides psychosocial support to vulnerable
children and youth in Moshi Urban district.

With the support of Childreach Tanzania, White Orange Youth worked with 100 children to participate
in childrens rights education clubs at their schools. The clubs aimed to build the childrens self-esteem
and ambition, as well as to help them discover their future goals. White Orange Youth also worked with
the childrens parents and held monthly meetings with them where they introduced the importance
of psychosocial support and childrens rights. Trainings were held for teachers about reporting child
abuse and getting children the necessary support.

Local Government
Mr. Jeshi Lupembe, District Education Officer
Mr. Lupembe stepped into the role of District Education Officer (DEO) of Moshi Municipal in 2015
with extensive experience working in the education sector in Tanzania. Before becoming the DEO,
Mr. Lupembe was the District Academic Officer in Mwanga for three years and during this time had
the opportunity to work with Childreach Tanzania and watch the organisation grow. Reflecting on his
experience collaborating with Childreach Tanzania, Mr. Lupembe said,
When I was in Mwanga we worked together. They helped improve the infrastructure of some schools
and we worked together throughout the entire project, they collaborated with the government. I am
motivated to work with Childreach Tanzania because of their ability to work with the government, at
the beginning of a project they seek our advice, we make decisions together, we supervise together,
and we evaluate the project together. Most importantly I am motivated to work with the Childreach
staff, they have team spirit, which is so important. The organisation also plays a role in providing
children in Tanzania with a quality education. Without education the country cannot develop and
in order for quality education to happen the children need to study in a nice environment and the
teachers need to receive training and support. Childreach Tanzania is doing both, they are improving
the environment for delivering education and training teachers, which means improving quality of
education for children.

24

Financial Review
Between 2009 and 2014 Childreach Tanzanias budget increased over 40%.
The organisations budget was highest in 2011, but only slightly dropped in the following years.

Childreach Tanzania Annual Budget 2009 - 2014

GBP

200000
170000
140000
110000
80000
50000
20000

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Childreach Tanzanias dependence on Childreach International for funding has decreased as they have
expanded their programs and improved their capacity to be increasingly financially independent.
Starting in 2013 Childreach International prioritized funding Childreach Tanzanias operational costs,
rather than project funding. Since 2013 Childreach Tanzania has received funding from a diverse group
of donors funding various programmes and activities to support the organisations growth.

Childreach Tanzania Funding

2009

Childreach Tanzania Funding

2014

Other 8%
Other 34%
Childreach
International
66%

Childreach
International
92%

Activities Expenditure 2009 - 2014

12%
Other Projects
3% School Farming
Programme

34%
School Improvement
Programme

29%
Operations

2% My School My Voice
14% Deaf Education and Development
Programme and Ghona VTCD
6% School Gardening Programme

25

Childreach Tanzania Donors and Collaborators

Childreach Tanzanias remarkable growth and success would not have been
possible without the dedicated support of our donors and partners. Thank you!

Donors

Collaborators

Adventure Travel Company (UK)

Accounting for International Development (AFID)

Canadian Universities

ACE Africa (TZ)

Childreach International (UK)

Africa Inland Church of Tanzania (AICT)

Deaf Child Worldwide (UK)

British Council (Tanzania)

Eaga Trust (UK)

Chama cha Viziwi Tanzania (CHAVITA)

Evan Cornish Foundation (UK)

Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation

in Tanzania (CCBRT) (TZ)

Future Build Individual Participants

Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission (UK)
Melanie Lindsay-Brisbin (US)
Philip Henman Trust (UK)
Sarah Groves Foundation (UK)
Signal Charity (UK)
Stars Foundation (UK)
Summit for Sinai Gives Back (Canada)
Tanzanite One (TZ)
UK Universities
UN-World Food Programme (Tanzania)
USA Universities

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT)

FT Kilimanjaro (TZ)
Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and
Consultancy Organisation (KWIECO) (TZ)
Opportunity Education Foundation
Partnership for Health and Development in
Africa (PHEDA) (TZ)
Sikika (TZ)
Starkey Foundation (TZ)
Tanzania League of the Blind (TZ)
The Government of Tanzania

Wiles Greenworld (UK)

Umoja wa Wazazi wenye Watoto Viziwi Kanda ya

Kaskazini (UWAVIKA)

World First

Vocational Education and Training Authority (TZ)

Wazo Pevu (TZ)
White Orange Youth (TZ)

26

Childreach Tanzania Staff

Sheila Makindara | Country Director
Terry Samson | Finance Manager
Mary Marandu | Programme Manager
Giusy Mbolile | Public Relations Manager
Charles Mushi | Logistics Officer
Victor Materu | Project Officer | Ghona VTCD
Goodluck Chanyika | Programme Officer | DEDP
Nathan Mosha | Programme Assistant (Sign Language Trainer) | DEDP
Zerida Lumole | Project Officer (Nutrition) | Maisha Bora Project
Mercy Tarimo | Project Manager | Maisha Bora Project
Emmanuel Ringo | Project Officer (Agriculture) | Maisha Bora Project
Graides Katabaro | Finance Officer | Maisha Bora Project
Sekeyi Masanja | Project Officer | School Farming and MSMV
Florence Lyimo | Project Assistant | Fit for School
Lilian Tarimo | Office Attendant
Blanca George | Cook and Cleaner
Gilbert Lyatuu | Driver
Eromini Miremi | Driver
Lemoyani Melubo | Security Guard

Interns and Volunteers

Stephanie Costa | Communications Volunteer
Aretha Alicia | Operations Intern
Ramadhan Ahmed | Logistics Intern
Grace Filbert | MSMV Intern
Kelvin Mboya | Finance Intern

Childreach Tanzania
P.O. Box 2139
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
+255 272 753682
info@childreachtz.org
www.childreachtz.org

childreachtz
Childreach Tanzania

www.childreachtz.org