Mkombozi -- providing a safe haven for Tanzania's street children
CWS staff visit children in the safe learning environment Mkombozi offers.
Photo: CWS
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Mkombozi, a CWS partner in Tanzania, is a live-in residential center and safe haven providing housing, education, research, advocacy, and outreach for Tanzania's street children.
In 2007, the support of CWS - made possible by the gifts of our many friends and supporters - helped some of Tanzania's most vulnerable children "grow in mind, body, and spirit," according to the Mkombozi staff.
Over the last year 617 children received shelter, food, education, sport, and healthcare, and another 25 children were reunified with their families. A "transition house" was opened for girls in Arusha, and a "mobile school" began operating on the streets of that city.
Training went on in several disciplines. The program trained 44 government staff in building a protective environment for children and 75 individuals in working with vulnerable children. Six boys and three girls started in vocational training, and 45 of the young people were trained in youth entrepreneurship. One girl and four boys began apprenticeships with local companies.
Eleven boys moved to group housing in Moshi, as part of their transition to independent living. Fifty-one of the youth (22 females, 29 males) undertook activities leading to more self-reliance. Nineteen of the youth received loans to start up their own businesses, and 19 others received a start-up living grant.mm
Thrity-six children received non-formal education at Mkombozi's residential center, while both female and male truancy in Mkombozi target schools by 59 percent and 73 percent respectively.