The Small Things Tanzania

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The Small Things Tanzania

We believe kids belong in families whenever it is possible,and when it's not an option, kids deserve loving, family-style homes.

The Small Things works to support children and families, through sustainable and participatory care plans focused on child development and community empowerment in Tanzania. The Small Things (TST) is a non-profit, non-government organization providing support to vulnerable children and families in the Meru district of Tanzania through residential care, education, medical services, and business sup

port. The children who come into our care are most often from neglect/abuse situations or when the mother has passed away. Our first priority is keeping families together and to aid this goal, we provide business training, microfinance, and other support through our family preservation program. However, in some cases long term care is a necessity. In those cases, we aim to build real homes with healthy attachments to loving local caregivers. The Small Things recognizes local problems require local leadership and solutions, and listen to the community and families we work with in order to create sustainable, participatory and evolving care plans for the children's future. When children can't be reunited with family or adopted, we work with the community to create long term, family-style homes at Happy Family Children's Village. The kids grow up embedded in their community, where they belong, supported by a network of sponsors from across Tanzania and the world.

09/03/2026

Meet Peace! This smart, funny boy with an infectious smile came to us at Nkoaranga Orphanage back in 2011. Today, he lives at Happy Family Children's Village, though he spends his school breaks with his grandmother, who isn't able to care for him full time.

Peace attends Makumira Secondary School and absolutely loves it!

From that first photo to now, watching Peace grow has been such a joy.

09/01/2026

This week, The Small Things held the second of our twice-yearly parent and guardian meetings for our daycare and preschool program, an important opportunity to bring families together in open dialogue with our team.

These meetings are more than a check-in. They are a space where parents and guardians can raise questions, share feedback, and take an active role in shaping their children's experience with us, including helping decide on upcoming field trip locations and other programming.

We believe that early childhood development thrives when families and caregivers work in partnership, not in parallel. Sessions like these help us stay accountable to the communities we serve, while giving parents and guardians a genuine voice in the day-to-day decisions that affect their children.

A sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to join us. Your engagement strengthens our program and reminds us that the best outcomes for children come from collaboration, not assumption.

08/31/2026

This weekend was magic! Bonnie Kaplan's rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream, came to life with their first showing on Saturday, and a second on Sunday. We are all extremely proud of everyone involved, this play was the result of over a month of hard work, rehearsals, and dedication.

Baraka stepping into the role of Oberon, King of the Fairies.

Baraka and Agape sharing the stage mid-play, Oberon and Titania in a scene together.

Agape as Titania, surrounded by the enchanted forest she calls home.

Ebeni M and Peace bringing their characters to life mid-performance.

And of course, Rachel absolutely shining as Helena.

Talented cast!

08/29/2026

Huge congratulations to twin brothers Johnny & Joachim, Isaac, Priscilla, and Olivia on graduating primary school yesterday at Silverleaf Academy! We are bursting with pride watching you cross this milestone. From your first day to your last day, you've grown so much, and we've loved every step of the journey with you.

We hope secondary school is ready for this fabulous five! We can't wait to see all the amazing things they'll do next ❤

08/27/2026

Diana lost her mother when she was just two weeks old, and with her father living in a remote area without nearby schools or medical care, her aunt brought her to Nkoaranga Orphanage before she made her way to us at Happy Family Children's Village. Years later, that same bright, friendly spirit is still with her, and so is our hope that she'll one day return to the care of her aunt or father as she grows.

08/25/2026

We had a wonderful Saturday celebrating the August birthdays of Isaac, Elia, and Irene!

The day was filled with cake, candy, juice, laughter, and lots of happy memories. Isaac turned 14 and received a Juventus soccer jersey, Irene turned 13 and got a beautiful new purse, while Elia turned 11 and got a pair of soccer cleats.

Three birthdays, three special kids, and one great celebration... happy birthday, Isaac, Irene, and Elia!

08/24/2026

This weekend, our residential children took part in an on-site training on puberty and the reproductive system, led by the Matron from our local hospital, right here at the library.

For many of the younger kids, this kind of open, honest conversation isn't something they've had before. Understanding how their bodies work, what to expect as they grow, and how to ask questions without shame is part of raising healthy, confident young people.

08/20/2026

In January 2019, Nathan was brought into our care by his paternal grandmother. He was just two and a half years old when he lost his father, and after his mother remarried following that loss, he was left in his grandmother's care, a grandmother who loved him but wasn't equipped to raise such a young child on her own.

Since then, our hope for Nathan has been simple: give him a stable, loving environment to grow up in, while working toward reunifying him with family who can care for him well.

Stories like Nathan's are exactly why we believe hardship should never be the reason a family is separated. It's also why Framing the Future matters. We're almost at the finish line, but we still need to raise $7,530 to hit our goal.

👉 Give here: framing-the-future.raiselysite.com
🖼️ See the gallery: framing-the-future.raiselysite.com/gallery

08/19/2026

When it's a cold and gloomy day here, you'd never know it at our daycare and preschool.

Rain or shine, these kids show up with infectious energy, bouncing through the door, ready to sing, learn, and shout the alphabet at the top of their lungs like it's the best news they've ever heard.

For many of these kids, The David Center is more than a preschool. It's a safe, warm place to be during the day, somewhere they belong, learn, and are cared for, when their families in the local community would otherwise have nowhere to turn. For working parents trying to make ends meet, having a place where their child is safe, fed, and learning is everything.

None of this happens on its own. It's possible because of people like you, who choose to support this work and make sure that every child who walks through our doors gets to have a childhood full of songs, stories, and shouted alphabets, cold and gloomy days included!

08/18/2026

An update on the grandmother we told you about last week:

Our Family Preservation team returned to her home this week, this time with a budget in hand. Together, they bought her two sheep and five chickens, the beginning of a small, self-sustainable business that can help her stand on her own two feet.

Her joy said everything words could not. For a family working toward reunification, moments like these are not just about livestock. They are about possibility, about a grandmother building something steady enough to welcome her grandson home.

This is what your giving makes possible: not a handout, but a hand up. A family kept together because the financial barrier standing in the way was met with support, not silence.

Address

Branford, CT
06405

Website

https://linktr.ee/thesmallthings

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