Child Sponsorship

Tanzania

Compassion began partnering with churches in 1999.

	569 church partners

	More than 119,077 children registered

	Over 1,943 mums and their babies supported

About Tanzania

Jambo (Hello in Swahili)

Located in East Africa, Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa at almost 6,000 metres in elevation and the Serengeti national park, making it very popular with tourists. Agriculture is an important part of the country’s economy, and many families continue to observe a traditional, pastoralist way of life—including the Maasai people in northern Tanzania. Whilst the country has a long history of political stability, this has not translated into economic prosperity, and many Tanzanians still live in poverty. The most affected group live in rural or semi-rural places and work as small-scale farmers. They remain personally vulnerable to poverty because large sections of the country are vulnerable to severe weather events which significantly reduce crop yields. Meanwhile, local churches across the country are working hard to nurture and protect vulnerable children, to ensure they have opportunities to develop and experience the unfailing love of God and His church.

Watch the latest video update to learn more about Compassion's work in Tanzania.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY

Thank you for praying for staff, children and families in Tanzania

+ Pray that God will bless our local church partners as they continue providing loving care to families in their communities.

+ Pray for healing and protection for children who have experienced abuse.

+ Pray for safe deliveries for pregnant mums and their babies.

+ Praise God for His continued wisdom and guidance for the national team in Tanzania as they make decisions for the future.

A snapshot of Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program in Tanzania

Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.

Children aged 1 to 3 receive home-based care
Children aged 3 to 5 visit the Compassion centre for six hours on Saturdays.
Children aged 6 to 11 attend the centre for six hours on Saturday and two hours during the week.
Students aged 12 to 18 attend for four hours on Saturday and four hours on a weekday.

Students aged 19 and older attend the centre for four hours during the week.

Compassion Program Activities in Tanzania

Compassion assisted children in Tanzania typically attend program activities at their local child development centre on Saturdays, as well as a couple of hours after school during the week. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Tanzania.

8:00am - Breakfast and a time of devotion. When they arrive, children are usually given tea served with a snack, usually an egg, bread or buns.

9:00am - Spiritual lessons, when children sing songs and learn Bible stories.

10:30am - Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.

11:00am - Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem and a godly character. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.

12:00pm - Lunch and social time. Children usually share in a meal that comprises rice and beef, beans, ugali (stiff porridge) and fruit. Local staff aim to increase children’s protein intake.

1:00pm - Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene tips. Example topics include how to prevent malaria and HIV transmission.

2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.

Children are encouraged to join in activities such as sports, games, camping, and tree-planting and cleanliness activities in the community. They also participate in public celebrations such as AIDS Day, the Day of the African Child or Uhuru Day. Additionally, parents and caregivers are offered parenting classes.