Funding required: $30,100
This project will help: 8 families
Estimated completion date: June 2025
Country: Tanzania
Executive summary
Adequate housing is a basic human right—but sadly, nearly 300 Compassion-assisted children living in the Nyshimo and Sapiw areas of Tanzania are living in unstable, unsafe homes. Most of these children live with their families in homes made from mud with grass roofs. Some families own their homes, while others rent; however, rental homes are no safer and are typically made from the same materials. During the rainy season, houses often collapse entirely. Even if the home does not collapse, roofs are prone to blowing away or sustaining severe damage due to high winds. Families living in poverty often have no choice but to live in damp conditions, exposed to the elements, or rent an equally unsafe home at high costs. Most caregivers cannot afford a home with more than one room, leaving children—especially girls—at risk of abuse. A recent report conducted in 2023 by Compassion’s church partners in Tanzania found one family of eight all living together in a single room home. This situation is not uncommon, as many caregivers only earn enough income to meet the most basic needs of their families. In Nyashimo, most caregivers earn an income through small-scale fish farming. In Sapiwi, caregivers rely on seasonal farming to earn a small income. Most caregivers simply cannot afford home renovations or higher rent to improve their living conditions. Compassion’s church partners in Nyshimo and Sapiwi have each identified four families in dire need of improved housing. Children from these families are highly vulnerable and are living in unsafe conditions. These children and their families need urgent support to improve their living conditions. Without help, these boys and girls are at high risk of both physical and emotional distress. With your support, Compassion will work with two frontline churches in Tanzania, the Mennonite Nyashimo church and AICT Sapiwi church, to provide eight highly vulnerable families with improved housing. Each house will be constructed with durable materials able to withstand the region’s heavy rains and wind. They will also be large enough to ensure children have safe and private rooms, separating the sleeping quarters of children from adults and boys from girls. Safe homes with adequate space will bring stability and security to children’s lives and will decrease the risk of child abuse.Summary
Background
The Mennonite Nyashimo church operates in the Busega district of the Simiyu region in Tanzania. The Mennonite Nyashimo church has been serving children and youth in the Compassion program since 2019. Many families live in extreme poverty, as caregivers struggle to earn a consistent income. Most families believe that women should remain at home to raise children, leaving men facing the challenge of supporting their entire families through seasonal fishing and farming. In Sapiwi, the AICT Sapiwi church serves 198 registered children at the Compassion centre. Although this community is home to multiple schools and institutions, many Compassion-assisted children lack vital resources, face limited opportunities and struggle in their education. In both Nyashimo and Sapiwi, many of the children served by these two frontline churches live in unsafe, uncomfortable homes made from mud and flimsy materials. In Sapiwi, women are also more likely to stay home while men look for work. Typically, the only work available is seasonal farming. This inconsistent job source does not provide enough income for caregivers to support their children or improve their homes. Many children in both communities live in very small, one- or two-room homes that are prone to collapsing. Children often struggle to complete schoolwork and are prone to illnesses due to damp, poorly ventilated spaces.The need
Eight children growing up in Nyashimo and Sapiwi, Tanzania, are in dire need of improved housing. These children currently live in poorly built homes at high risk of collapse due to rain or wind. These small, one- or two-room homes are not large enough to give children the privacy and space they need to feel safe, complete their schoolwork or simply relax and sleep in a comfortable space. With your support, Compassion will work with two frontline churches in Tanzania to provide these eight families with new homes. Your gift will provide newly constructed homes built from quality, durable materials able to withstand the harsh wind and heavy rains that are common in the region. Each home will have three bedrooms and one living room, ensuring girls and boys have their own bedrooms and caregivers have a separate place to sleep. The living room will be the common place in the home, allowing children to go to their bedrooms when they need a quiet place to rest or study. Families will actively participate in the process by donating materials when possible, providing manual labour and financially contributing within their means.What your gift will do
Your gift will construct new, safe and spacious homes with three bedrooms and a sitting room for eight Compassion-assisted beneficiaries and their families in Tanzania, including:- Roofing
- Timber, iron sheets, roofing nails, wire
- Plastering
- Sand, cement, water
- Flooring
- Sand, cement, pebbles, water
- Window and door installation
- Grill windows, aluminum windows, grill doors, doors
- Transportation of materials
- Food for workers
- Labour fees
Logistics
- Local contribution: US$3,270.52
- Handling of funds: Compassion International Tanzania will work with centre leaders to ensure this project stays within budget.
- Monitoring and follow-up: Church pastors and elders will oversee the project and ensure the construction adheres to the established guidelines and quality standards. Compassion centre committees will provide supervision and monitor progress, addressing any issues that arise. The Centre directors will provide daily supervision and partnership facilitators will conduct monitoring visits to assess the progress of the intervention.