Renovation of Two Orphanages in Tanzania

An important mission of The Orange Trust is the refurbishment of two orphanages in Dar Salam, Tanzania. Both facilities, operating under the name Umra Orphanage, were in extremely critical condition in terms of infrastructure. The situation was so severe that the local government considered shutting the orphanages down, without providing any budget for refurbishment.

Volunteers on site described the conditions as “shocking and disgusting,” with holes in the floors, strong unpleasant smells, cracked walls, and dirty beds where the children were expected to sleep. This is an unacceptable environment for children, especially considering that nearly 50 children live in each orphanage. In response, The Orange Trust took the matter into their own hands and began renovating one of the orphanages, which was originally completely run down.

The renovation work included improving ventilation by increasing the roof size, expanding the building, increasing the number of beds with new mattresses, installing new electrical systems, and laying tiled flooring to replace the damaged floors. As a result, this orphanage has been fully renovated and now provides a safe and comfortable infrastructure for children to live in.

The second Umra Orphanage is located in a remote rural area, and conditions there were particularly dire in the kitchen, which was completely blackened due to burnt wood. Using donations given to The Orange Trust, volunteers fully renovated the kitchen. Another major issue was access to the bathrooms, as there was no proper passageway, causing children to be drenched by rain, especially during tropical seasons with heavy rainfall. To resolve this, the team constructed an archway to allow safe access to the bathrooms and also renovated the bathroom facilities.

Beyond infrastructure improvements, The Orange Trust invested in a sustainable economic model by establishing a chicken farm, tuk-tuk taxi services and providing sewing machines. Profits from these initiatives directly support the orphanages and also enable the creation of interest-free loans for children once they turn 18, allowing them to start their own businesses and pursue a career. As the young adults begin earning an income, they repay the loan, ensuring a sustainable economic strategy that helps secure a brighter future for the children.