Tumaini (HOPE in Swahili) Children’s Foundation is a not for profit, VOLUNTEER organization (administration is less than 5%) dedicated to the care, support and education of orphaned and needy children in and around Usa River, Arusha, Tanzania.  TUmaini CHIldren’s FOundation, or (TUCHIFO, – acronyms are VERY popular in Tanzania) is an N.G.O in Tanzania and a registered charity in Canada.  Tumaini has no religious affiliation . . . most simply put; the level of need dictates our level of assistance. 

We assess need based on personal home visits and data verification and select children based on their individual living situations.  Many of our children are orphans in the purest sense. Angel, Glory and half sibling Elisha lost their mother to AIDS.  Angel and Glory's father had already passed and extended family was not interested in supporting "AIDS" babies.

Queenie was born in prison after her pregnant mother accidentally killed her husband in a drunken domestic.  Mom was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Esther was born with arthrogryposis and her mother abandoned her to her aged grandparents.  Esther was "protected" from ignorant villagers but Tumaini has given her a chance at an education and a future!

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world ranking 162nd out of 177 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index. Canada was ranked #3.  This index references quality of life, life expectancy, standards of living, education, etc. 

Malaria kills one in five Tanzanian children . . . The human decimation of HIV/AIDS has left a population of almost 50% children (under fourteen years of age).  Tumaini children Christina, Francis, Joseph, Janet, Busaina, Mulki, Esther, and Emmanuel were living with their Bibis (grandmothers) who, in their 70s and 80s were unable to provide the proper care these children required.  Tumaini cares for seven HIV+ children.

Less than 5% of children in Tanzania complete secondary school and many will not even finish their primary educations because of the cost.  For one child to attend public school, (where classes approximate one hundred students per teacher and students attend without pens, pencils, paper, desks, etc.) a family must allocate the equivalent of almost $100 CDN. per child to cover the cost of: watchman/water/school maintenance/desk $40; uniforms $53.00. $100.00 equates to ¼ of the average annual household income of $395 CDN. and is impossible for most families to commit to a child's education.  

Tumaini’s objective is to provide a safe, secure and loving environment for all of our children, nutritious food, proactive medical and dental care and the best education we can provide.  We want to improve local schools to an acceptable level so our Tumaini children can attend AND succeed.

Every child at Tumaini came to us with a story that would make you cry and many of them wouldn't be alive today without us . . . but they are, and they thrive!  Come and see for yourself!