The orphanage «House of Happiness»
The "House of Happiness" orphanage opened its doors in September 2022. With our 10 employees, we currently offer a loving home to around 30 children aged 2 to 14. As the first orphanage to be built according to the new rules of the Arusha Social Welfare Department, we are considered a flagship project in the region. The admission of additional children up to our current capacity of 64 children will take place gradually and depends on sustainable financing. The children are assigned to us by the Arusha Social Welfare Department.
Since opening, we have welcomed many visitors - local people, high-ranking officials from Arusha and tourists. Women and families from the area or soldiers from the nearby barracks often bring food with them, which helps us keep food costs low. We are happy about every visit!
What does everyday life look like?
The children start their day at 6 a.m. with a breakfast. At around 6:45 a.m. they set off on foot to school, which they reach after around 30 minutes. While the older children also have lessons in the afternoon, the younger ones come home at around noon. After a quick shower they have lunch. Then, without complaining, they go to their rooms for a nap. At 4:30 p.m. life returns to the place and the children appear for afternoon tea. Afterwards they play, do their homework or go to religious education (twice a week). In Tanzania, Christians and Muslims live peacefully side by side. Depending on the children's background, they attend Christian or Muslim religious education. Once a month a local artist comes to us to introduce the children to the arts and crafts. Dinner is at 7 p.m., after which the children have some time to play before they go to bed at 8:30 p.m.
The structured daily program not only offers the children the stability they urgently need, but also space for personal development and growth.
To help the children learn to take responsibility and care for their environment, we have given each of the older children a freshly planted tree on our property. They are now responsible for looking after this tree, which fills them with pride.
Challenges
New challenges keep cropping up that need to be tackled. Here are a few examples:
Our employees spent a lot of time washing clothes by hand. You can imagine how much dirty laundry almost 30 children produce. For this reason, we decided to buy a washing machine to ease the burden - a luxury item! The waste water from the washing machine and showers, as well as the dishwater, is collected and treated to irrigate our garden, which reduces our water requirements.
Joy and sorrow are often close together. We are happy to see how the children feel comfortable with us and how they develop. A wonderful dynamic has now developed in which the children support and look after each other. Newcomers are immediately welcomed and integrated into the family. We have not only healthy children, but also those who are physically and mentally stressed and need intensive care. This demanding care requires additional resources and causes higher costs. It is a matter close to our hearts to offer every child the best possible support. Our dedicated employees and volunteers are there for all children in difficult times and ensure loving and comprehensive care.
From November 2023 to May 2024 there was an unusually high amount of rain. Many roads were damaged and over 160 people in Tanzania died as a result of the storm. Our access road was also affected. Thanks to a dedicated donation, we were able to repair the road ourselves, even though it is not a private road. But without this access road, we had no way of ensuring the transport of drinking water and food.
In spring 2024, thanks to another earmarked donation, we installed an additional water pipe from another source. This helps us meet our water needs and reduces the need to order expensive water tankers. This improves the quality of life of the children and staff and allows us to invest our resources and time in other important projects.
Such unforeseen events always cause additional costs in addition to our fixed costs , which also have to be covered. Sustainable financing is of great importance in order to ensure smooth operations and the best possible care for our children.
Only with your continuous support can we respond flexibly to challenges and ensure successful operations.
What are we doing in Switzerland?
Our commitment does not end in Tanzania. We are also active in Switzerland to raise awareness of our association and to receive financial support. We take part in markets in the region, where we sell Tanzanian handicrafts and home-made anise rolls , give lectures and organize benefit concerts. The personal contacts and the donations generated have encouraged us to continue our public relations work intensively this year.
We regularly post blog entries here where we cover current events in the “House of Happiness” and report first-hand.
It is important to ensure the long-term operation of the orphanage. We therefore continue to rely on your financial and numerous support. We are grateful for every single donation !
Infrastructure
In Kisongo (Arumeru district in Arusha, Tanzania) we own a plot of land of around 4,600 m2. On this site is our orphanage "House of Happiness", which we opened in September 2022.
The “House of Happiness” comprises several buildings and facilities:
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Main building with dining/lounge room and kitchen.
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A hostel with dormitories and sanitary facilities for 32 girls as well as accommodation for the carer.
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A hostel with dormitories and sanitary facilities for 32 boys as well as accommodation for the carer.
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An outbuilding with an office for the social workers and a learning room for the young people.
The property offers a vegetable garden, a playground and a large outdoor kitchen. At night, the area is guarded by our gatekeeper.
The state school is within easy walking distance, and there are various other educational opportunities and a university in the city center.