Supporting orphans and vulnerable children

Sheila, aged 9, wearing her school uniform and holding her books provided with CAFOD's help [CAFOD]

The Diocese of Moshi based in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania runs an Orphans and Vulnerable Children Support Programme.

Carers of the many thousands of children in Tanzania left orphaned or vulnerable due to AIDS-related illnesses often cannot afford the basics needed for the children to go to school. Even tiny school fees, exercise books or uniform can be out of reach. With support, many of these children are now getting what they need.

At Langoni School in the Diocese of Moshi almost a quarter of the 920 pupils are orphaned or viewed as being vulnerable due to AIDS-related illnesses. Jumanne, 12, and Sheila, 9, are two of these children. The Diocese has been able to provide them, and many others, with stationery, a school bag, a uniform and shoes.

"I have valued what they taught me"

Jumanne is the 6th of 7 children in his family. He enjoys going to school, especially the maths lessons. “I was encouraged by my mum to concentrate on maths, so when I grow up I can get a job” he says. “I’d like to be an education officer to help other children and to show my teachers so that they see that I have valued what they taught me”.

Sheila’s parents died when she was a baby so Sheila and her 14 year old sister are looked after by their grandmother. Although she now has the things she needs for school, she still sometimes has to go hungry.

“I prepare to go to school by 6am” says Sheila. “If there is sugar then I take tea for breakfast, if there is no sugar, I don’t have breakfast that morning. Grandmother has to sell all the bananas, so can’t spare any for our food. I don’t get lunch at school because I have not paid for lunch."

Uniform pride

The children are proud of their uniform, which consists of a smart royal blue jumper and a light blue shirt. The boys wear long beige shorts, the girls blue skirts. But they’re not the only ones who feel proud. The women who make these uniforms are benefiting from the support of the Diocese of Moshe as well.

The diocese runs income-generating schemes and the school uniform workshop is one of these. The uniforms are made on looms and with foot-driven sewing machines. The women who make them were all trained at a vocational college run by the Diocese and were all orphans themselves. They take real pride in their work.

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