When 8-year-old Daudi* was orphaned, his neighbour offered to help and took him in. Within months, Daudi's behaviour changed. He became withdrawn and unable to socialise with his peers. When approached by an adult, he would become jumpy, and occasionally aggressive. Unknown to anyone, his new guardian was a sexual predator. 

Daudi finally opened up and told a schoolteacher that he was being raped by his guardian several times a week. His teacher contacted the police and the neighbour was immediately arrested. But with no one to take care of him, Daudi became a street child. 

Kijana Kwanza is a grassroots charity based in Moshi, Tanzania that is at the front line of providing emergency and long-term care for children and young people who are orphaned, abandoned or victims of abuse. Our shelter and children's is open 24/7 for referrals from schools, community leaders and the police. 

Once under our care, children receive:

• Shelter and regular, nutritious meals
• Heathcare and counselling
• Opportunity to go to school
• Informal learning and recreational activities
• Round the clock support from on-site social workers

We are also now approaching the end of construction of a new shelter and children's home, which will enable us to rescue 120 orphaned, abandoned and child victims of abuse. 

Your donation this Ramadan can help rescue a child and provide him/her with a safe place to stay. It costs £800/$1,000 to process each referral and provide for a child's every need for 1 year. 

No donation is too small. Let's not abandon a child victim of abuse when they need us most. 

* Name changed to preserve the anonymity of the child. Daudi's face is not shown in any pictures used on this page. 

About Kijana Kwanza (Young People First)

Kijana Kwanza is a grassroots charity based in Moshi, Tanzania, empowering children and young people to build a future without poverty. 

We directly sponsor over 250 children and young people, most of whom are orphaned, abandoned, or from single-parent families, providing education, vocational training, apprenticeships, and leadership development.

In 2024, we benefited 16,760 Tanzanians through sponsorship, campaigns, events, and microfinance initiatives. We sponsored 250 students, operated across 12 sites, and celebrated 42 new graduates.

In addition to student sponsorship, we offer services like English and computer classes, a Study Café, hardship grants, interest-free loans, and community events to support children, young people, and families in Moshi.

For a full list of our activities, visit www.kijana-kwanza.org. 

Keep updated with our work, join our WhatsApp community group. 

For more information, you can also contact our UK Outreach Worker, Sarah Bibi, by WhatsApp on +44 7954 135 686 or email sarah@kijana-kwanza.org.