"The past few months have taught me to live with what we consider the bare minimum and Tanzanians consider wealth.   More importantly, I was able to understand and interact with the people we know only by statistics and sad newspaper reports.   It was incredible to see that, up close, their trials have only given them happiness, love and faith.   The histories of the kids I taught are tragic.   Their lives now are less than perfect.   But everyone smiles and sings and dances and hopes for a better future.   I am honoured to have worked with such amazing children."

        From a past volunteer's web blog

 Watoto wa Africa is Kiswahili for "Children of Africa".   Kids Aid Tanzania first became aware of this orphanage, with its 50 children, in 2006.   It occupied a rented dilapidated compound with houses with leaking rooves, no washing facilities, only one toilet and with water coming from a polluted well.   After two years of fundraising KAT was able to buy a large plot of land and pay for sufficient buildings to provide the kids with a permanent home.   They were able to move in in November 2008.  The new orphanage (above) is connected to the mains water supply and has both toilets and showers within each of the girls' and boys' large airy dormitories.    The pictures below show Josephat and Rosemary Kirutu, who run the orphanage, and some of the children, on the recent visit of two of the Kids Aid Tanzania trustees.      

THE WATOTO WA AFRICA ORPHANAGE