Most Vulnerable Children

Women In Action’s “Most Vulnerable Children” program is for orphans and children who lack or have inadequate familial support. WIA, along with their generous donors, support these children in many ways.

Pre and Primary School

The WIA Pre-school was founded in Sombetini Ward in 2003 to provide a pre-school education to WIA’s Most Vulnerable Children. The Pre-school was moved to Elerai Ward in Arusha in 2009. WIA is constantly looking for donors to help support their pre-school. Donations for the WIA preschool provide payment for the students school fees, teachers and school staff salaries and costs associated with the building (ex. Plot/building rental, maintenance and upkeep). Once the Most Vulnerable Children finish their pre-school education, WIA has a program in place to sponsor their primary education.

Although primary education in Tanzania is technically free, students require uniforms, shoes, school supplies, transport, and food. Because WIA’s Most Vulnerable Children lack the funding to pay for these things, many are forced to remain outside of the educational system. Without these funds, these children will not have had the necessary life skills to support themselves in the future. Furthermore, this situation also affects Tanzania’s development.

According to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, education is the key for future development. Education programs, like WIA’s Most Vulnerable Children initiatives, are where these goals can be achieved. However, without continued financial support, educational development will continue to deteriorate. Children are the future of this country and the time has come to provide them with the necessary life skills in order for them to fulfill their destinies.

After-school Program and Counceling

WIA also provides a healthy environment for children after they leave school. During the week, the children can come to WIA’s home office after school and receive free tutoring, mentoring, recreation and a nutritious meal. In addition, WIA offers the students counseling, as many are orphans who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS or are infected by HIV/AIDS themselves.

Foster Parents

WIA’s Foster Parents program was originally founded in order to aid children who had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. These children, along with other orphans, were found through the local communities served by WIA’s Home Based Care Program. Since its inception, the foster parents program has expanded to support 90 children in Arusha and Babati.