By Br. John Cornel Sulle OFMCap | Executive Director
Overview
Following the General Elections held on 29 October 2025, Tanzania has experienced periods of economic instability that have significantly affected vulnerable rural households. In response, TAJPI strategically adjusted its implementation approach.
While previous quarters emphasized awareness training and capacity-building workshops, this reporting period focused on targeted, door-to-door household visits. This method enabled direct identification of socio-economic pressures that compel parents and guardians to release children to domestic trafficking agents who promise education and opportunity but instead subject them to exploitative domestic labor under unsafe conditions.
Field Engagement
During this quarter, TAJPI conducted structured household visits in the villages of Dareda, Mandi, Bashnet, and Orbesh in Babati Rural District. These communities consist largely of pastoralists and smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend on subsistence agriculture and livestock.
We engaged 130 grandmothers serving as primary caregivers to abandoned or left-behind children. Many of these elderly caregivers are raising grandchildren after their daughters migrated to urban areas due to poverty and economic hardship. In numerous cases, relatives or intermediaries later approach these grandmothers with promises to “assist” by taking children to the city for education. Instead, the children are placed in domestic labor arrangements where compensation is limited to food and shelter, and promised schooling rarely materializes.
This pattern demonstrates how economic vulnerability, combined with misinformation and social pressure, continues to fuel internal child trafficking.
Context of Child Trafficking in Tanzania
Child trafficking remains a serious national concern. The United States Department of State has previously identified Tanzania as a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking in persons.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that 97% of trafficking cases in Tanzania are internal and predominantly affect young children. Approximately 74% of victims are girls, trafficked from regions including Iringa, Morogoro, Singida, Dodoma, and Arusha to urban centers such as Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, where they often face domestic servitude and other forms of exploitation.
Definitions and Measurement Framework
To align with GlobalGiving’s results-oriented standards, the following indicators were applied:
Observed outcomes during this quarter include increased awareness among caregivers regarding trafficking risks, strengthened dialogue with village leadership, and improved identification of vulnerable households requiring ongoing follow-up.
Local Government Engagement
TAJPI also met with village executive officers and chairpersons in Dareda, Mandi, Bashnet, and Orbesh to discuss systemic challenges. Leaders reported limited transparency within families regarding child relocation to urban areas. In several cases, mothers conceal the movement of children due to economic desperation or social stigma. This lack of disclosure complicates early detection and intervention.
Fundraising Status
To date, TAJPI has raised a total of USD $1,630, of which:
• USD $200 was raised through the GlobalGiving platform
• USD $1,430 was contributed locally (USD $1,000 in-kind and USD $430 in cash)
This represents a modest proportion of the total project funding goal.
Despite limited financial resources, TAJPI staff and community volunteers have continued implementation through significant voluntary contributions of time and expertise. Their commitment has ensured continuity of essential child protection activities.
Way Forward
The effectiveness and scale of this project remain directly dependent on sustained funding. Technical expertise from legal, child protection, and social welfare professionals is essential to strengthen referral systems and provide structured family support.
Due to child safeguarding and confidentiality standards, we are unable to publicly share photographs or identifying details of at-risk or affected children.
Next Quarter Plans (March 2026 – May 2026)
Appreciation
We extend our sincere gratitude to all GlobalGiving and local supporters. Every contribution directly strengthens preventive protection mechanisms for vulnerable children.
We also acknowledge a dedicated anonymous donor who contributes USD $50 monthly through GlobalGiving. Your consistent support provides stability during a critical period of economic uncertainty.
Submitted by:
The A’ray Justice and Peace Initiative (TAJPI) Team
Rhotia Village, Karatu District
February 2026
Links:
By Br. John Cornel Sulle OFMCap | Executive Director
By Br. John Cornel Sulle OFMCap | Executive Director
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