Kijana Kwanza

In September 2026, our team travelled to Tanzania to support Kijana Kwanza and attend the official opening of Shabaha Children’s Home, which SBCH proudly helped to build. Upon arrival, the group began by meeting Kijana Kwanza’s leadership team to discuss the work both organisations do, exploring how UK and Tanzanian approaches to children’s services reflect different contexts but shared values.

The following day was spent at Shabaha Farm that supplies much of the food for the children at Kijana Kwanza. The team took part in a variety of farming activities, planting peppers, milking the cows and preparing food for the herd, before sampling some of the freshly grown fruit and vegetables. They met Farmer John and his family and gained insight into how the farm operates on a nearly self-sustaining model, where everything is carefully reused, from water used for the fish, to the produce grown and sold.

Later in the day, they visited Kijana Kwanza’s school, where they enjoyed spending time with the children, including colouring and playing a very competitive match of football – which ended with Dan ripping his shirt while throwing the ball, providing plenty of entertainment for all!

The group then accompanied Kijana Kwanza’s social workers into the local community, where they visited homes and met families supported by Kijana Kwanza. Walking through these neighbourhoods, seeing minimal resources but the pride families held, was deeply moving. The children they met were happy and excited to dance and spend time with our team!

In the afternoon, the team also learned about an initiative supporting bibis, elder women in the community who provide foster care for up to two children. Rather than placing all children in residential homes, this approach keeps families together in the community, expanding how Kijana Kwanza supports vulnerable children across the region. They then visited Chemka Hot Springs where they enjoyed the warm water and beautiful surroundings with views of Mount Kilimanjaro – with some bravely trying out the rope swing!

The next day marked a hugely momentous occasion for SBCH as our team attended the official opening of Shabaha Children’s Home in the presence of around 500 children, young people, community leaders and neighbours. The home was officially opened by the Regional Commissioner for Kilimanjaro and our CEO, Karim.

Kijana Kwanza has created Shabaha to provide an alternative to long-term institutionalisation. For every child who enters Shabaha, their aim is for another to leave residential care, safely reunified with their family or provided with long-term foster care at Sakina Family Village, under the guardianship of a trained bibi (or “grandmother”).

SBCH has been proud to support and work alongside Kijana Kwanza since 2024 as they seek to revolutionise the way children’s services are provided in Tanzania, helping to ensure that no child who needs support is turned away. We were honoured to support the construction of Shabaha and to be part of this hugely special event. Guests enjoyed entertainment from Kijana Kwanza students, a tour of the new facilities, and a screening of Road to Shabaha, which tells the story of how Kijana Kwanza began, how it has grown, and how its team has worked tirelessly to reach this moment.

Later in the evening, our team returned to Kijana Kwanza’s school where they played netball, hopscotch, joined classroom activities, and made bracelets with the children. Watching the children’s faces light up and seeing their own team come alive was hugely rewarding.

Some of our team then went on to take on the epic challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and we are incredibly proud of them for successfully reaching the summit to to raise vital funds for Kijana Kwanza.

It has been a truly life-changing and humbling trip for our team, who have witnessed first-hand the huge impact Kijana Kwanza has on children and the local community in Tanzania. Friendships and bonds have been formed that will last a lifetime, and we look forward to next year’s expedition and continuing our fundraising efforts in the meantime!

In June 2026, our next group of team members travelled to Tanzania to support Kijana Kwanza, and gain a deeper understanding of their life-changing work.

After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, the group began their visit by spending time with the children at Shabaha Children’s Home, whose construction SBCH was proud to support. The evening provided an opportunity to meet some of the dedicated volunteers and staff who make such a difference to the lives of the children, before sharing a meal together and getting to know one another.

The following day began with an opportunity to sample a range of local foods, including ugali and freshly made fruit juices – with mango proving to be a firm favourite. In the afternoon, the group accompanied Social Workers as they visited local families and the children in their care, providing valuable insight into the support offered within the community.

That evening, they were invited to attend a traditional wedding, enjoying an unforgettable cultural experience. Given a warm welcome, the group joined the celebrations and danced in procession as they presented gifts to the bride and groom!

The next day was spent at the farm that supplies much of the food for the children at Kijana Kwanza, including spinach, bananas and eggs. The group took part in a variety of farming activities, using a jembe to dig holes for young plants before helping to plant and water them through the irrigation system. They also harvested native aubergines and tried their hand at milking cows.

Later in the day, they visited KK’s new community homes, which will provide care and support for children who need it most. This was a humbling experience that offered further insight into the remarkable work being carried out by the dedicated staff at Kijana Kwanza. The final visit of the day was to one of the vocational training centres, where the group met students and observed them working on a range of metalwork and electrical projects. They were particularly impressed by the students’ focus, skill and attention to detail.

The following day, the group returned to Shabaha Children’s Home and enjoyed spending more time with the children, getting to know their personalities and interests. After sharing a snack of roasted cassava, they took part in a variety of activities together, including arts and crafts, memory games and creative play. The children were introduced to the card game ‘Snap’ and quickly developed a number of inventive – if slightly dubious – strategies to improve their chances of winning!

Models were made from homemade slime, while colourful pictures were created using stickers and pens. Before long, spontaneous dancing broke out, accompanied by balloons and bubbles, creating a wonderful sensory experience for everyone involved.

The fun continued on the sports field, where the children were introduced to the game of rounders before taking part in a highly competitive football match after a series of training drills. Afterwards, the children received special certificates in recognition of their participation, enthusiasm and efforts throughout the activities.

Later, the group visited Chemka Hot Springs to enjoy the beautiful woodland surroundings and a refreshing swim, with some bravely trying out the rope swing!

On the final day, our team visited Kijana Kwanza’s workshop to participate in training sessions with the vocational students who are learning a range of practical skills including metalwork, welding and electrical wiring. They covered a range of topics from managing emotions, teamwork and communication, to exploring key values relating to career paths. Everyone was impressed by the students’ level of participation, and the feedback was very positive.

In the evening, an emotional celebration was held at Shabaha Children’s Home, where our team was able to say their goodbyes to the wonderful children and KK staff for the last time on this trip. There were speeches, gift exchanges, dancing and quite a few tears! Friendships and bonds have been formed that will last a lifetime; every SBCH team member has been deeply moved by the warmth of the welcome they have received in Tanzania. For many, this has been their first trip, but surely not their last!

Our team returned to Tanzania to support Kijana Kwanza in March 2026, beginning with a visit to Kariwa Shelter where they spent time with the children, toured the school, and got to know everyone. They also shared a lovely lunch and, for some of the team, had a memorable first experience of eating with their hands.

The team also returned to Shabaha School for a volunteering session across arts and crafts, education and sport. From creative activities to a lively game of volleyball with pupils and teachers alike, it was a meaningful opportunity to connect. Each child received a certificate of participation, a small but powerful gesture of encouragement that was met with great pride.

Next, the group travelled to Shabaha Farm, where they were warmly welcomed by Farmer John and given a full tour. One of the highlights was getting hands-on, from milking cows to planting vegetable crops.

They also visited the new Shabaha Children’s Home, which we are proud to have supported the construction of. The team met the children, explored both the home and the school, and saw first-hand the nurturing environment that has been created.

At a hands-on workshop, they focused on developing young people’s practical skills, from building barbecues and carpet laying to crafting chairs and exploring electrical engineering. It was incredibly rewarding to see these skills already being applied at KK Bonite, one of Kijana Kwanza’s fostering homes currently under construction.

They also had the privilege of meeting a foster family, a mother caring for three children. The sense of love, stability and care within the home was clear to see, bringing to life the real difference this support makes every day.

At head office, the team met two young people who had progressed through the programme and are now running their own businesses nearby. One trained in tailoring and the other in mechanical engineering, yet both have adapted and built on their skills to create sustainable livelihoods.

They then took part in a range of training sessions exchanging knowledge, and comparing approaches with our work in the UK including HR, operations, marketing, and education. Social work sessions focused on care planning and key working, supporting holistic development, and ensuring young people remain at the centre of care at all times.

We were particularly inspired by Kijana Kwanza’s commitment to keeping young people engaged in education despite limited resources, and by how every young person is supported to pursue their aspirations. Their approach also focuses on helping young people transition into self-employment and entrepreneurship after their studies.

They also shared how activities such as singing and exercise are used to support bonding and wellbeing. A return visit to Shabaha School included an interactive session delivered by our team on teaching emotions in English and linking them to Swahili, followed by arts and crafts, where bracelets and keyrings were made using scoubidou.

The following day, our team accompanied Kijana Kwanza social workers on home visits, where they were warmly welcomed by nine families they support. Witnessing firsthand the realities these families face, and the resilience with which they navigate such immense challenges, brought into sharp focus just how vital KK’s work is within this community. Hearing a young person speak about how their life has been transformed through KK’s support was especially moving, and a powerful testament to the impact of this work.

Later, the team visited Chemka Hot Springs before sharing a meal prepared with fresh produce from the KK farm.

The next morning was spent at Kariwa, where the team joined the children in games of volleyball, tug of war, basketball and cards. One particular highlight was learning a creative game the children had invented using a ball made of socks – a simple yet powerful reminder of their resourcefulness and the joy they find in everyday moments.

That evening, the team returned to Shabaha for an emotional farewell. The night was filled with dancing, a shared meal, cake, thoughtful gifts and heartfelt speeches. Saying goodbye was incredibly difficult, but it did not feel like the end – rather, a “see you soon”.

It was a truly life-changing week, one for which everyone feels immensely grateful and privileged to have been part of. Witnessing the compassion, dedication and impact of KK’s work with vulnerable young people has been both deeply humbling and profoundly inspiring. The team returned with a renewed sense of perspective, gratitude and purpose.

We are also incredibly proud of Abs, who reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, making it back down in four days, and personally raising over £1,400 for Kijana Kwanza – contributing to a team total of more than £6,300 for this expedition. A fantastic effort, both on the mountain and on the ground!

In October 2025, members of our team travelled to Tanzania to support Kijana Kwanza’s work directly. Drawing on their experience caring for children and young people in the UK, they helped deliver pastoral support, education and life skills training – all focused on helping young people prepare for independent living and future success. They also led workshops, debates and seminars to strengthen vocational training and community development, working alongside local teams to share ideas and create lasting impact.

There were also some memorable trips – including visits to the Chagga Museum and nearby waterfalls, where the children joined the team for a day of fun, and an unforgettable afternoon with Farmer John on his farm.

The journey was not only inspiring and unforgettable, but also a powerful opportunity to live our values on an international stage. It brought our team even closer together and reminded us all how important it is to appreciate the comforts we often take for granted.

Some of our team then took on the physical and mental challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise vital funds and awareness for Kijana Kwanza’s work. The six-day trek tested their strength and resilience, but it was an extraordinary journey filled with joy, teamwork and purpose.

We are immensely proud of their achievement – and would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far in helping to create lasting, meaningful change in the lives of the young people supported by Kijana Kwanza.

Together, we raised over £5,000 to support Kijana Kwanza’s programmes, helping to provide education, care and opportunities for children and young people in Tanzania.