Overview of Kibaha Children’s Village Centre
Kibaha Children’s Village Centre (KCVC) is a privately funded satellite project of Equal Opportunities for All Trust Fund (EOTF), founded and administered by the Honorable Mama Anna Mkapa, former First Lady of Tanzania. It is a fully registered and licensed children’s home that is now a separate entity from EOTF and has its own board of directors. The project was conceived over ten years ago and became operational in October of 2011 with the acceptance of its first eight children.
This project was developed to address the pressing need in Tanzania to deal with orphaned and abandoned children created by the AIDS epidemic and poverty. Throughout the time Mama Mkapa has run EOTF, she provided aid to many organizations that are involved with these children. She felt that what was needed was a better vision, a local Tanzanian vision, for the care of these vulnerable children.
What began as a vision has now become a reality with the opening of Kibaha Children’s Village. This project is located in the rural Kibaha district, about 40 kms from Dar es Salaam. Kibaha Children’s Village has taken years to develop as it strives to provide a quality of care that will serve as a model for other children’s centres in Tanzania. Built on the concept of a local village, the centre currently has three residences, a small operating farm and additional housing for staff and volunteers.
Kibaha Children’s Village strives to provide food, clothing and shelter and most importantly a sense of permanence, community and family in a setting that promotes connectedness for children who have survived on the fringes of society.
Orphans in Tanzania – Current Situation
Tanzania currently has a large scale social problem that has been on the rise in recent years, due to poverty, unemployment, cultural practices around absence of birth control and lack of availability of birth control. There is a large population of children that do not have parental support for a variety of reasons. These include but are not limited to:
1) Orphans – these children have either one or two parents that have died. This happens from a variety of reasons Childbirth, AIDS, poor nutrition leading to illness and subsequent death. Motherless infants are particularly vulnerable.
2) Abandoned Children (Street Children) – These children have living parents, but for a variety of reasons, have been left to fend for themselves. Young women having illegitimate children, divorce, remarriage of widows or widowers where the new spouse rejects the existing child (ren) are all common scenarios where children find themselves without any food, clothing shelter.
3) Poverty – In this situation, children will be voluntarily given into care because parents are unable to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter due to lack of financial ability. Children will be suffering from lack of nutrition, which often leads to susceptibility to illness.
The government does not have the infrastructure or financial capability to adequately address the problem. Work is being done in this area, but the need of these vulnerable children is far outstripping the existing infrastructure. Government orphanage isoverflowing with children and many children; particularly in rural areas are being left to fend for themselves, which often results in their death.
This situation has been responded to on a private basis by many local and international agencies setting up private orphanages. There has been no alternative. The care provided in these private institutions ranges from excellent to hideous. There is a substantial problem in Tanzania with private orphanages being run without a license or any input from social welfare. This has led to widespread abuse in these settings of funds that are being raised for “orphans” going into the pockets of the people running these establishments. Children have been underfed, poorly housed and basic education and health needs are not attended to properly. The problem has become so extensive that there have been suggestions that ALL private orphanages should be shut down. This would lead to a catastrophic situation, because good private orphanages have saved countless lives of Tanzanian children.
The Kibaha Children’s Village Center project was created to address these needs. Not only to provide care for these vulnerable children, but to act as an example of how this work can and should be done in a private, licensed setting. This project was conceived and has been supported by local Tanzanian people who are well educated and understand the complexities of the local situation.
Overview of Equal Opportunities for All Trust Fund (EOTF)
EOTF is the parent organization of the Kibaha Children’s Village Centre. It is a Tanzanian registered, non-governmental, charitable organization. EOTF was founded in 1997 by Tanzania’s former First Lady, Mama Anna Mkapa with the vision of supporting disadvantaged Tanzanian women and children by availing equal opportunity to all segments of society regardless of age, sex, religious affiliation, color and race. Throughout the years, Mama Mkapa has spearheaded many projects in support of this vision. WIPE, ESP and HSP are EOTF primary projects:
1) Women in Poverty Eradication (WIPE) is one such initiative established for the purpose of empowering women of Tanzania’s society. Women in this program have been supported in achieving self-sufficiency. Through a multi-pronged skill development program, local women who have previously not had a means of supporting themselves have learned to engage and earn a livelihood through micro-business.
2) Education Support Program (ESP) was started with the aim of meeting educational challenges facing the poor, neglected, orphaned or homeless children of Tanzania. This is achieved through assistance with school fees, school supplies and the rehabilitation and construction of schools.
3) Health Support Program (HSP) is geared toward improving health services in Tanzania. This has included work primarily in the areas of childbirth and childhood survival.
EOTF has also been highly committed to the ongoing support of countless other local organizations. EOTF has collected donations from many sources and distributed such to reputable local organizations. Through this work, Mama Mkapa has gained firsthand knowledge of many orphanages in Dar es Salaam and its suburbs. These visits inspired Mama to initiate the establishment of a centre that would provide a high standard of care for the most vulnerable Tanzanian, young children without parental support. Her vision was shared by EOTF’s board of directors and together they developed the plan that has become the “Kibaha Children’s Village Centre” project.
Detailed Description of Kibaha Children’s Village Centre (KCVC) Project
Location & Layout
Kibaha Children’s Village is located in a lovely, spacious, rural setting about 40 km from Dar es Salaam. It is surrounded by its own farm land and there is adequate space for all the existing buildings, the eventual plans for expansion, play areas and agricultural and animal farming that help support the nutritional needs of the village. The farm is currently in active development and there has already been a variety of foodstuffs harvested from it. This portion of the project is crucial to the long term sustainability of KCVC as it will eventually provide a good proportion of the food required for center as well as harvesting marketable goods for cash sale.
There are currently Seven buildings completed which form the “village”. These buildings provide for the residential needs of the children and staff. The children’s residences are fenced and form a spacious compound which safely encloses the children so that they can run and play freely within this area. There is security at the site on a full time basis. Each house is able to comfortably accommodate up to 16 children. The houses at Kibaha are built to last and are of a very high standard, with adequate space for both children and staff. They have running water, electricity, modern washroom, kitchen and laundry facilities. The houses are wheelchair accessible with spacious, sunlit rooms and tiled roofs. Phase 1 development, which has been completed at Kibaha, is currently able to accommodate up to 48 children comfortably.
Phase 2 which involve two large buildings is being complete. These will eventually be used as a kindergarten and dispensary, not only for the children and staff of KCVC, but also for members of the surrounding community.
This project began at the conceptual stage over ten years ago and fulfilled its vision of taking in its first eight children in October, 2011. There are plans to expand the number of residents to full capacity if they can be sustainably supported.
Model of Care – The Concept of Mirroring Tanzanian Village Life
The word “Village” in the name is not an accident. Mama Mkapa, having visited countless orphanages in her time, felt that this was a crucial element that was missing in the lives of many of the orphans that she encountered. Village life Her concept was that you would have long-term, consistent care-givers and “siblings” with whom the children could bond and gain a sense of true family with, all within a “village-type” setting. KCVC has worked extremely hard to fulfill this vision.
KCVC has from its inception approached the care of orphaned and abandoned children from a holistic perspective. Children do not simply require food, clothing, shelter and education, but for healthy development, require a family and a home where they can receive nurturing and love. Tanzanian village life provides such an environment and this has been the model upon which KCVC has structured this project.
Children are cared for and encouraged to develop bonds with their “mothers” and the other “siblings” in their house. Mother’s are responsible to teach them skills for their personal care, hygiene, simple household tasks and relationships with others. Children eat, sleep and play within their own households. The project manager is looked upon as a “father” by the children. There are other male staffs on-site that interact with the children within the capacity of their work (farming, grounds keeping, security). All employees of KCVC, regardless of their role, go through an orientation that instructs them on the expectations of their interactions with children, particularly with regards to discipline, social relations and abuse. Employees are supervised carefully by senior staff to eliminate the possibility of abuse.
Experience & Wisdom of Elders
The Board of Directors of KCVC has a wealth of knowledge and experience that guides this project. All of them bring a very high level of education and experience to developing the programming that KCVC delivers.
The Caregivers
KCVC has adopted a concept of staff as replacement parental figures. Each house is staffed by three house “mothers” who reside with the children and supervise and care for them, much the same as normal mothers do in Tanzania. They share the responsibilities of cooking; cleaning and child care on a rotational basis, but are all on hand to assist as needed. Mama Mkapa has taken a serious interest in the selection of these “mothers” and has chosen women who have impeccable backgrounds. These special women have made long term commitments to Kibaha with regards to their employment. They have been selected based not only on their education, but more importantly, their personalities and suitability of working with the children. They have made a long-term commitment to their work at KCVC and they live on site. They have undergone either formal professional training or have trained with SOS Village in Dar es Salaam prior to their working with KCVC.
Our social worker, who also is the project manager, is man whom the children look upon as a father figure. All the staff at KCVC has interactions with the children as children within a normal village would. Social norms, such as respect for elders and authority figures, are taught by all the staff of KCVC. This is encouraged and supported.
The Children – Permanent Wards of Social Welfare
There are currently 16 children residing at KCVC. KCVC only accepts children that are permanent wards of social welfare. Every effort would be made to keep siblings together from one family. These children have no home or parents that are able to care for them. The target age for the center is between two and four. They have already passed through babyhood, which KCVC is not currently set-up to deal with, but are also young enough to adapt easily to a new environment.
The first children are absolutely thriving in the environment. They are overcoming health and malnutrition issues that were apparent in some of them and have formed attachments with one another and their caregivers. They are being provided with not only superior food, clothing, shelter, health and education services, but the most important ingredients of a child’s life…affection, guidance and love.
Education
The children who reside within KCVC currently attend a private English medium school program within the local community. Children are supported in their educational efforts by their house mothers.
The future home of the pre-school is already constructed. It follows Montessori model of pre-school learning. The pre-school is open for surrounding area children to attend as well. The program will be expanded accordingly. There is some part of this building remain to be constructed. Finishing this part is the top priority of Phase 2, as we feel it is imperative for the social development of the children to interact with their surrounding community.
Health
Children that come into care are often in a vulnerable state with regards to their health. Malnourishment in some of the children taken into KCVC, has led to health issues that require immediate attention and ongoing care.
It is fortunate for KCVC that it is within a 15-minute drive off a large local hospital that can provide for any serious emergency care. One of our house mothers is a retired nurse and attends to the health needs of the children on a daily basis. With the improvement in their diet and living situation, the children are all doing very well in terms of their health.
Phase 2 for the dispensary is already constructed. This spacious building will house a fully functional community health clinic. Now we are applying for any support to start operating the clinic.
Sustainability
Children’s homes have a tremendous burden in creating a sustainable project. Large amounts of funds are needed on a long term basis in order to effectively run and administer a project of this nature. KCVC, after years of work, has managed to get operational funds but it is still a fledgling with regards to moving now into sustaining operations. However, work is being done and consideration has gone into developing this project from a sustainability standpoint.
1) The Farm – The children’s home is situated on land that is slowly being cleared and developed into productive farmland. There are currently about 8 hectares under cultivation. The farm produces all types of vegetables, fruits and staples for consumption at KCVC by the children and staff. Any extra produce is sold and this is added to the general revenues of the center.
2) Fundraising – Local – EOTF continues to be the primary contributor of funds for the operation of the centre. Mama Mkapa continues to advocate within her network for donations in kind of anything that is needed at KCVC as well as visiting weekly to bring the necessary additional food that is required.
3) Fundraising – International – KCVC has been reaching out to any and all interested person that are living abroad for financial support of this project.
4) Poultry- The centre has poultry project of which eggs and are produced for the needs of the center and surplus of it is sold to the community.
5) Livestock keeping- have been established at the centre including piggery, goat and cow is underway. Milk will be feeding the children, used by the staff and the excess will be sold to the community. The money from the sale of milk and meat will be used to buy other food items for the centre.
6) Fees – Will be collected from the neighboring children who will attend our pre-school (Montessori) in a cost sharing basis. The little fees which will be realized will be added to the education budget for the centre.
7) Fish and bees. The produce obtained from it will be used by the centre and the excess will be sold to the community.