Hope and Transformation in Tanzania

In March 2025, World Villages for Children team member Christy George traveled to Tanzania with some of our generous supporters. Over the course of six days, they witnessed firsthand the life-changing work of the Sisters of Mary. They visited campuses in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma—places where vulnerable children receive care, education, and a real chance for a brighter future. The journey showcased the hope and transformation taking place in Tanzania, with insights into the incredible impact of the Sisters’ mission. What follows are Christy’s reflections and experiences from this unforgettable trip.

 

Empowering Girls Through Education and Skills Training

In Dar es Salaam, the team visited the Sisters’ Training Center, where young women live and learn practical life skills like sewing, baking, and even electrical work. While classes weren’t in session that Sunday, the group was greeted with songs and smiles. The impact of the program was undeniable—these women gain not just skills, but confidence and a strong sense of community.At the nearby Girlstown School, the students proudly showcased their classrooms, chapel, and even entertained guests with music and dancing. The school’s first graduating class is set for July—a major milestone. They met Helen, who dreams of becoming a doctor, and Agnes, who aspires to be an IT lecturer. They exemplify the power of education to transform lives.

 

A Home, A Future: Inaugurations of the Dormitory and Gym

The trip continued in Dodoma. The team joined in several joyful inaugurations celebrating the ongoing growth of the Sisters of Mary’s mission in Tanzania. One especially meaningful moment was the inauguration of a new boys’ dormitory. This facility now allows the Sisters to provide a safe, welcoming home for more vulnerable children.

Thanks to our generous supporters, the Sisters also completed a new gymnasium on the Dodoma campus. This facility is already changing the lives of the children—giving them a safe, structured space for physical education, team sports, and school gatherings. For our children, this is their first chance to run, play, and train in a real gym. Like all Sisters of Mary campuses, the gym also serves as a sacred space for Sunday Mass and community events. The joy on their faces as they play and pray together in this space speaks volumes about how much this space means to them.

Another highlight was seeing firsthand the Organic Farm which is part of the school’s educational program. What began as a small initiative now plays a key role in teaching responsibility, independence, and sustainability. Each of the boys cultivates his plot and learns agricultural techniques that can one day support their families and communities. Now producing fresh food, the farm has become a source of pride and purpose for the boys. With the vegetable gardens and animals like goats and cows, the farm is a thriving ecosystem—reinforcing the school’s commitment to self-sufficiency. This is another a true example of hope and transformation in Tanzania.

The Boystown campus is a vibrant hub of hope and transformation in Tanzania. It buzzes with activity: from well-equipped workshops in welding, computers and other trades, to serene moments of prayer in the chapel. Each room, farm plot, or prayer space brings children closer to a life of hope.

 

Mika and the Birth of the Bread Mission

One of the most powerful stories from the trip was Mika’s. His life inspired something far bigger than himself.

When Sr. Margie first met Mika over a year ago, he wasn’t in school. Instead, he wandered the streets, hungry. He had to care for his elderly grandmother, and they couldn’t remember their last full meal. In a moment of heartbreaking humility, Sr. Margie offered the only thing she had—a flower. She later returned to their home with a loaf of bread. It was a simple gift, but one that planted the seeds of something beautiful.

That moment of raw human connection inspired the Bread Mission—an outreach initiative that now brings food to some of the most impoverished communities. Funded in loving memory of Stella Park by her husband, Andrew, the Bread Mission began quietly but quickly grew into a powerful force for good.

Every Thursday, the Sisters of Mary and boys from the school visit three underserved communities. They deliver bread to a local school and two churches in remote, rural areas where many families eat just once a day—if at all. Children run out to greet the Sisters, smiling and eagerly awaiting a simple piece of bread. It’s a moment filled with joy and heartbreak—where the innocence meets the harsh reality of poverty.

100,000 Rolls of Bread

Over the first year, the Bread Mission distributed more than 100,000 rolls of bread, feeding the hungry and offering a tangible reminder that they are not forgotten. But the mission is about more than bread—it’s about dignity, connection, and hope. The boys who help distribute the bread come from similar backgrounds of poverty. Now, they are the ones helping others. It’s a full-circle experience that shapes their character, humility, and gratitude. It’s service with purpose—and a lesson that stays with them for life. And for the people they serve, it’s a sign that someone cares.

Mika, once a boy with no food and no future, is now safe, learning, and thriving at Boystown. His story continues to feed thousands—both physically and spiritually.

Christy shared, “I have never seen the face of Jesus more clearly than in the poor we encountered in Dodoma. To look into their eyes and see both the suffering and hunger, yet also the gratitude and joy in seeing the Sisters and boys, was profoundly emotional and beautiful. It was a truly special experience for me—one I will never forget.” Her words capture the true essence of the Bread Mission—a ministry not just of feeding bodies, but of touching hearts and restoring dignity.

 

Faces of the Future

Throughout the trip, the team listened to powerful personal stories of hope and transformation of many of the students. Each of them overcame immense challenges to arrive at the Boystown. Their stories revealed the depth of the poverty they endured and their incredible resilience. During the home visits, the group witnessed firsthand the difficult conditions these children come from. Their determination shows that with opportunity, they can break the cycle of poverty. They now dream of becoming doctors, teachers, and leaders in their communities. They truly are the faces of the future—and the living hope for Tanzania.

• Hamfry, only 14, was reunited with his aging grandmother during our visit. Both were emotional, as she tearfully shared her worries about her health and her hope that he would now have a stable, loving home and a future through education.

• Daniel, 14-year-old, was left behind when his parents moved away. His grandmother, who cares deeply for him, prays daily for his growth and success. Daniel’s happiness at the school was evident, and he spoke with pride about his studies.

• Richard left a lasting impression through his family’s humility and generosity. Although they have very little, their gratitude to the Sisters was profound. As a token of thanks, Richard’s family gifted the Sisters with a simple bag of peanuts.

• Letna, at just 16, carries a particularly heavy story. He was orphaned after a tragic accident claimed the lives of his mother and baby sibling, and later his father. His older sister Miriam, who at only 20 had taken responsibility for raising her siblings, took care of him. Their emotional reunion brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Miriam’s words—“I have never seen my brother smiling this much, thank you!”—captured the life-changing impact the Sisters have had.

The visit culminated in a joyful feast provided by our supporter, John, where boys, Sisters, and staff shared a meal and celebrated together in gratitude.

From the classrooms to the fields, from prayer to practical work, the trip revealed a powerful truth: hope and transformation in Tanzania are real. The love of the Sisters, the quality education they provide, and the opportunities made possible by donors are truly changing lives.