Educate 600 Homeless Children in Tanzania

At Direct Relief Tanzania, we begin this report with deep and heartfelt gratitude to all of you our donors, supporters, and well-wishers who have walked this journey with us. Your generous contributions, compassion, and belief in our mission have been the foundation on which we continue to build a better future for homeless and vulnerable children across Tanzania.

Every donation, every word of encouragement, and every act of support has brought light into the lives of children who were once forgotten. Because of you, we have made tangible progress toward creating a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for these young souls. We sincerely thank you.

A Major Milestone: Construction of Our First Classroom Building

We are pleased to report a significant achievement in our ongoing mission—the erection of a permanent classroom building for our Special School for Homeless Children. After operating for a long time in makeshift or temporary learning spaces, we have finally begun construction on a proper classroom block, a vital step toward improving the quality of education and care we provide.

This building will serve as a central learning space for our enrolled children and will enable us to offer a more stable, structured, and inspiring environment. The new classrooms will feature proper desks, whiteboards, ventilation, and enough space to accommodate more students than ever before.

This achievement is not ours alone it is yours. It is a direct result of your generous contributions and unwavering belief in the right of every child to have access to quality education.

Who We Serve: A Glimpse Into Their Lives

The children we serve at Direct Relief Tanzania come from various parts of the country some from rural villages, others from urban slums or the streets of major towns. Many have lost parents due to illness, poverty, or conflict. Others have been abandoned or neglected and have spent their early years in survival mode, often facing hunger, abuse, and extreme vulnerability. At our school, they find something many of them have never experienced before: stability, love, education, and hope.

However, even as we celebrate the construction of the new classrooms, the reality on the ground remains deeply challenging. The needs of these children are vast and urgent.

Ongoing and Critical Needs: Beyond the Classroom

While we are making progress in infrastructure and education, the needs of these children extend far beyond the classroom. The majority of them require safe and secure accommodation, as they have no homes or family support. Many continue to sleep in overcrowded shelters or temporary structures that are far from ideal for children who have already experienced trauma and instability.

In addition, providing daily meals remains a major challenge. Most of our students arrive at school hungry, and many go to sleep the same way. While we do our best to provide at least one meal per day, our current resources limit how much we can do. Good nutrition is essential not only for physical growth but also for academic performance, emotional well-being, and long-term development. There is no doubt that these children deserve more more care, more support, and more opportunities.

Why Continued Support Is Crucial

We have seen what is possible when people come together to uplift the most vulnerable among us. The classroom construction is a clear sign of the potential that exists when donors and communities invest in sustainable change. However, the journey is far from over. In fact, we are just beginning.

That is why we are humbly calling on our supporters to continue walking with us. Your support has already changed lives. But we must do more build dormitories, provide consistent meals, hire more teachers, purchase school supplies, and offer counseling and health services.

We cannot do this without your help.

Every dollar donated goes directly toward meeting the real, urgent needs of children who would otherwise remain unseen and unheard. When you support Direct Relief Tanzania, you are not just funding a project you are building a future.

Testimonials: Voices of Hope

"Before I came here, I lived on the streets of Kongwa District and begged for food. Now I go to school every day. I want to become a teacher so I can help children like me."
— Daniel, Age 13

"I never thought I would see a classroom. At Direct Relief Tanzania, I found a place where I am treated with kindness. I feel like I belong."
— Zuhura, Age 11

These are just two stories among dozens. Their lives have changed and many more are waiting for the same chance.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Direct Relief Tanzania envisions a fully equipped, full-service education center for homeless children that includes:

• Multiple classroom blocks

• On-site dormitories

• A dining hall with a daily meal program

• A library and resource center

• Trained counselors and social workers

• Vocational training facilities for older children

With your continued support, this vision is not a dream it is a future that we can achieve together.

Final Word: Together We Are Building a Legacy

To everyone who has donated, shared our story, or offered support in any way—we say Asante Sana. Your kindness has already brought about powerful change. Children who once had no hope are now learning, growing, and dreaming.

But we must not stop now. Let us continue this work together. Let us reach more children, build more classrooms, and feed more hungry stomachs. Let us offer every homeless child in Tanzania the dignity, care, and opportunity they deserve.

Direct Relief Tanzania is committed to this mission. With your partnership, we can transform not just individual lives—but entire communities.

Support the mission. Support the future. Support our children.

In Tanzania, poverty is a significant factor in the problem of homelessness. Nearly 50% of the country's population (just over 64 million people) live on less than $1.90 a day. Whilst enrolment for primary up to secondary school education is free in Tanzania, the numerous hidden costs of education such as uniforms, hostels and textbooks means that many street children who are more than 45,000 simply cannot afford to be in mainstream schools.

To ensure homeless children have an access to quality formal education, DRT will proposed to build an English-medium primary school in Dodoma that will at first year enroll 100 homeless children from different parts of the country to discover and develop their talents as well as providing them with other basic needs in life. Overall goal of constructing this school is to enable these vulnerable children complete their primary education and to have sustainable living after graduating.

From October to December 2024, Direct Relief Tanzania has continued to register homeless children from various parts of Dodoma region. Although the school is not finished, Direct Relief Tanzania is cooperating with some families in accomodating these children. During this period, Direct Relief Tanzania has been able to register 15 children, 7 males and 8 females. We have been using volunteers to provide education services for these children.

Although the contribution through GlobalGiving is still small, Direct Relief Tanzania in collaboration with various local stakeholders has continued to provide basic services to these children, including accommodation and food, where some families have agreed to serve these children.

Direct Relief Tanzania alone does not have the ability to change the future of these children without the support of generous people. Therefore, the success of this project depends largely on the contribution from various generous supporters who wish to see the world become a safe place for every child.

So we as Direct Relief Tanzania continue to ask you to continue to support this project to change and improve the future of these children, because  they have the right to have a good life like other children