The Problem
As you read this, millions of children are separated from their families, living in institutions or In Tanzania the increase in number of OVC as a result of HIV and AIDS, poverty, urbanisation, and unemployment has undermined the existing alternative care systems (the extended family/kinship care, statutory foster care, adoption, community based, group homes and supervised child-headed households), in providing adequate care to these children (Makuu 2017). Dar es Salaam, the biggest city in Tanzania has one of the largest numbers of OVC mainly due to HIV and AIDS (TACAIDS 2012). It has a prevalence of 6.9%, compared to the overall national average of 5.1% among the year 15-49 age groups (TACAIDS 2012). A study by SOS (2012) revealed that in Tanzania, 11,565 children were placed in residential care; 80 children were in retention (a detention facility for children who have violated the law which was established under the Law of the Child (Retention Homes) 2009, and 80 in approved schools. The study further noted that 453 children were in prison whereas 578 children were in detention in different cities of Tanzania and Dar es Salaam city is not exceptional.
Our Solution
To provide relief to orphans and vulnerable children of any race or religious belief through provision of home and education.
In order to achieve this our core initiatives are:
A. RESCUE
As 100 million children are living on the streets worldwide. Countless more are living in abusive homes, unwanted and rejected. It is these children that we fight for, in order to see them in a safe and loving family. We receive referrals from children’s remand facilities, the Department for Children’s Welfare, village chiefs, police, community health volunteers, church leaders, our own social workers, as well as other community- level individuals.
B. PROTECT
Ensure that every child thrives by provision of nutrition, health, psychological and protective services. WWT is assisting vulnerable children by counseling, sheltering, training, parental guidance, psychological support and other related support for the view of enabling them to become self- reliant. We support people to see their own lives, families and ultimately whole communities transformed and thriving; relationally, spiritually and physically, fully able to live out their God-given potential together.
C. DEVELEOP
In Tanzania, orphans are usually considered to be at disadvantage compared with children whose parents are still alive. With regard to education, The Household Budget Survey of Tanzania (2001/2002) showed that children from poor households, and certainly OVC, are unlikely to attend school and when they do, they suffer higher drop out rates than children from better-off families, the fact that further narrows their chances for better future economic performance As the number of orphans and vulnerable children grows, their communities become less and less capable of addressing all their basic needs, including their ability to go to school. Helping young people achieve their educational goals is one of WWT’s core initiative. With donations and support from different partners, individuals and institutions we offer Secondary and vocational education to our beneficiaries by sending to school any child that finishes primary school.We have already supported over 400 children and youths.