Tanzania Development Trust

05/06/2026

Without Tanzanian Sign Language, education is out of reach for many deaf children in Tanzania. 💙

Imagine trying to learn in a classroom where you cannot fully understand the language being used.

For many deaf children, this is their daily reality.

At Matumbulu Vocational Training Centre, students are finally able to:
🤟 Learn sign language
📚 Access education and training
🧵 Gain vocational skills
💙 Build friendships and confidence

Communication opens the door to opportunity ✨

This Big Give Small Charity Week, donations to Tanzania Development Trust will be doubled to help provide vocational tools and materials for deaf graduates.

💫 Your support helps deaf young people access language, learning, and brighter futures.

04/06/2026

⏪ Throwback Thursday

Project Update: Clean Water for Gera Ward, Bukoba Rural

A look back at an incredible community water project now fully completed thanks to TDT supporters.

All ten planned water point renovations across Gera Ward in Bukoba Rural are now complete: bringing safer, cleaner water access to more than 40,000 people.

The project began in 2024 following an application from the Mercy Association, led by Father Leonard of Bukoba Catholic Cathedral. Working alongside Local Representative Robert Kasaaju and Project Officer Kevin Curley CBE, TDT first funded six contaminated water points, before supporting a second phase to complete the remaining four sites.

Together, local communities contributed labour and materials throughout the project.

These renovated water points,known locally as vyanzo, are natural springs or surface water sources used daily by surrounding communities. Without protection, they quickly become contaminated through runoff, animals, and general use.

Now:
💧 Communities have safer access to clean water
🏡 More than 40,000 people are benefiting across the ward
🤝 Local ownership helps ensure long-term maintenance and sustainability
🌍 Waterborne health risks are significantly reduced

Remarkably, all ten water points were completed for around £9,700, approximately 24p per person served.

Since 1975, Tanzania Development Trust has supported practical, community-led water projects across Tanzania through trusted local partnerships and grassroots collaboration.

This project is now fully funded.

🔗 Support future water projects through our general water fund:
https://donorbox.org/water-9

03/06/2026

“Learning sign language means I can communicate with my fellow community. I am no longer isolated.” Rebeca 💙

Rebeca never had the chance to attend school.

Growing up in a village 70km south of Dodoma, she was isolated from her community and unable to express her thoughts and feelings to people around her.

Then, in 2023, everything changed ✨

After joining Matumbulu Vocational Training Centre, Rebeca is now:
🤟 Learning Tanzanian Sign Language
🧵 Studying sewing and clothes-making
💙 Making friends within the deaf community
⛪ Able to follow church services through sign language interpretation

She says:
“I can express all my views… I am no longer isolated.”

This Big Give Small Charity Week, donations to Tanzania Development Trust will be doubled to help provide vocational tools and materials for deaf graduates.

💫 Your support helps students like Rebeca gain communication, confidence, and connection.

02/06/2026

✂️ Stitching a New Future

“I used to think getting married was my only way out of poverty. But entrepreneurship training built my confidence — and now I’m starting my own tailoring business.” – Fibi, MVG trainee in Kigoma

In rural Tanzania, many girls who leave school early face limited options — often believing marriage is their only path forward.

That’s why we support MVG’s entrepreneurship programme in Kigoma, where young women like Fibi gain the training and confidence to start their own businesses — and take control of their futures.
🧵 Tailoring skills empower girls to earn a sustainable income
💼 Entrepreneurship builds confidence and long-term opportunity
🌟 Young women become changemakers in their communities

01/06/2026

What is Matumbulu? 💙

Matumbulu Vocational Training Centre is helping deaf young people in rural Tanzania access the education and opportunities they deserve ✨

At MVTC, students gain:
🤟 Tanzanian Sign Language skills
🧵 Vocational training
💼 Entrepreneurial and business skills
💙 Confidence, friendship, and community

Students train in:
🪚 Carpentry
🧵 Tailoring
⚒️ Metalwork

The goal is simple:
🌱 To help deaf young people build independent futures and create new opportunities for themselves.

This month is the Big Give Small Charity Week from 22nd June - 29th June 2026! Tanzania Development Trust hopes to raise £1,800, which will be doubled to £3,600 through match funding, to provide vocational starter tools and materials for graduates.

💫 Let’s use this week to make a real difference to people’s lives.

29/05/2026

🌍 **Field Friday**

**Project Update: Clean Water for Kantawa Village**

A rehabilitated spring is now providing clean, safe water to the community of Kantawa village in southern Tanzania - thanks to TDT supporters.

The project began when local organisation **MASO (Malaika Social Organisation)** identified that the village’s existing spring protection system had failed due to poor construction. Following visits by Project Officer **Kevin Curley CBE** and Local Representative **Edgar Frolensi**, the need for urgent rehabilitation was confirmed.

Now, the community once again has access to a protected water source.

💧 The spring has been enclosed within a waterproof cement structure
🚰 Clean water is channelled safely through a protected discharge pipe
🌱 Trees have been planted around the source to stabilise the ground and reduce runoff
🏡 Families now have safer access to water closer to home

Spring protection works are one of the most practical and cost-effective water solutions we fund. When constructed properly, a protected spring can serve a community for 20–30 years by preventing contamination from animals, surface runoff, and general use.

This entire project was completed for just **£1,220**.

Access to clean water remains a major challenge across rural Tanzania, where many communities still rely on unsafe or unreliable sources. Since 1975, Tanzania Development Trust has supported community-led water projects across ten regions of the country through trusted local partnerships.

This project is now fully funded.

🔗 To support a water project currently in urgent need of funding, visit:
https://donorbox.org/tdt-urgent-water-appeal

29/05/2026

Do you remember how magic the dreams of youth were?

✨ To go into space
✨ To become the fastest human on earth
✨To get a proper education
✨To earn enough to feed your family

Find out more about how we empower the youth out of poverty and into a fulfilling life at our website... 🔗 www.mboniyavijana.org

29/05/2026

Not long to go! Stay tuned for details of how we are participating in this year's event!

Small charities are at the heart of communities across the UK, changing lives every day.

Today, we're celebrating 4 weeks to go until . And this year, the week also marks the return of our match funded campaign, in partnership with Global's Make Some Noise and NCVO, which aims to support hundreds of small charities to raise vital funds and double the difference they make.

28/05/2026

🩸 World Menstrual Hygiene Day – 28th May

Periods should never be a barrier to education.

On World Menstrual Hygiene Day, we highlight the importance of safe water, sanitation, and supportive school environments in helping girls stay in school with dignity and confidence.

In rural Tanzania, a lack of clean water, private toilets, and menstrual education can cause girls to miss lessons, or drop out altogether.

At Tanzania Development Trust, we help remove these barriers by:
💧 Funding clean water systems in schools and villages
🚻 Improving sanitation facilities to ensure privacy and safety
👧🏽 Supporting girls’ hostels where students can live and learn securely
📚 Promoting wellbeing and confidence through school-based clubs

When girls have access to water and safe facilities, attendance improves, confidence grows, and futures expand.

Menstrual health is not just a hygiene issue; it’s an education and equality issue.

27/05/2026

💧Why Water Matters💧

In Tanzania, diarrhoea is the 3rd leading cause of death in children under 5 — and it’s largely preventable.

🚱 The root cause? Unsafe water and poor sanitation.

When communities gain access to clean water, child survival rates rise, school attendance improves, and entire futures change.

Water isn't just a basic need — it’s a lifeline. That's why, at Tanzania Development Trust, we care about expanding our clean water projects.