The Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Eng. Maryprisca Mahundi, has called on development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector and the community at large to enhance collaboration with the Government to ensure that children living in care homes receive equal opportunities for protection, care and development as all other children in Tanzania.
“I urge organizations and various stakeholders to continue supporting the Government in strengthening services in children’s homes so that they do not grow up feeling inferior. You are important, you are loved, and the Nation needs you. Do not lose hope; study hard, uphold good morals, maintain discipline, and utilize every opportunity given to you to achieve your dreams,” said Eng. Maryprisca.
She made the remarks during her visit to the National Children’s Home–Kikombo in Dodoma, where she toured ongoing projects, inspected infrastructure and received a report on the progress of services provided at the centre.
During the visit, Eng. Maryprisca reaffirmed that the Sixth Phase Government is continuing to strengthen social welfare systems and child protection mechanisms, including improving alternative care services and the management of children’s homes across the country to ensure that they meet required standards.
“I am pleased with the remarkable efforts being made to provide education, health services, nutrition, counselling and care. The Ministry will continue supporting this Home so that it can effectively fulfil its responsibilities,” she added.
She also commended the leadership of the Kikombo National Children’s Home for their dedicated service and urged them to maintain strong cooperation and proper management to ensure that every child is raised in a safe, loving and nurturing environment that promotes growth and positive values.
For his part, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Advocate Amon Mpanju, said the staff at the Home possess high levels of professionalism and the ability to understand the needs and challenges of the children under their care.
“These staff members you see here have the ability to sit with the children, talk to them and use different approaches to support them. That is why I say they are not ordinary people but trusted individuals appointed by the Government to help run this centre,” said Mpanju.
Earlier, while presenting the centre’s progress report, Social Welfare Officer Anord Fyataga said the Home has achieved significant milestones, including improved counselling services where each child receives individual or group counselling, reunifying 20 children with their families, improving academic performance of primary and secondary school students by 2%, and equipping 40 children with life skills such as tailoring using sewing machines.
Overall, the visit demonstrated the Government’s commitment to strengthening child protection systems and ensuring that all children’s homes in the country provide high-quality services that build a strong foundation in education, health, morals and overall wellbeing.
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