We recently had an update from Forever Angels and we are so happy to hear that their work contnues to go well.

The children are so happy and settled in their family homes and they continue to see strong attachments being made between the Mamas and the children in their homes.

In September, they received this little bundle – 2-day old Filiman (left). He was sadly abandoned in a forest, but he is now receiving love and care from Mama Chiza and Mama Angela in Simba House. And, beautiful Favour (right) in Tembo house who arrived in August and is doing so well in Mama Paulina’s loving care.

The team continue to reunify as many children as possible with their relatives and provide them with a small business so they can fully support another child. And still see many of our children adopted into new families which makes them very happy. The goal for every child at Forever Angels, is for them to leave and go into a loving, permanent family.

The Maisha Matters programme continues to grow, with a new centre just opened at AAIDRO Hospital in Arusha. Together, they have now supported over 2,300 orphaned babies and their families through the programme – providing lifesaving nutrition (formula milk), keeping babies out of orphanages and empowering families through business creation.

The team are currently doing 5-10 year follow up visits – travelling to visit babies who graduated from our Maisha Matters programme years ago. We have been so happy to see them all healthy, happy, attending school, and their caregivers still with a thriving business. This programme works and we are so thankful to you for your support.

Zainabu with her grandmother in 2016...

and now, 8 years later.

Martha and her grandmother in 2017, and now, 7 years later.

As well as supporting orphaned babies with milk, the centre also continues to support many sets of twins and triplets with formula milk, who do have a Mum alive, but who do not have a big enough milk supply for all their babies. They currently have 9 sets of triplets on our Mwanza programme!

The centre has seen some very successful businesses through the Maisha Matters programme – women with such strength and determination to change the futures for the children in their care. A new apprenticeship programme has been started, where some of the older Maisha Matters graduates, who have successful businesses, are training, newly enrolled caregivers on our programme so they can run a successful business too.

It's incredible that these women, who have been helped and supported in years gone by, are not only successful businesswomen, but are now willing to share their skills and teach others!

Mama Joseph teaching tailoring skills to Mama Neema, and Mama Gift teaching Mama of twins, Naila and Neila, at her hair salon.

Total Impact

As well as caring for 473 babies at Forever Angels Baby Home (around 25 at any one time), the Maisha Matters programme continues to grow.

Between the five Maisha Matters centres, the teams have now:

  Provided lifesaving formula milk to 2,348 babies (including 249 sets of twins and 95 sets of triplets.)

  Taught weekly training workshops which have been attended by 1,777 caregivers.

  Set up 502 families with a business.

  Provided 749 mosquito nets.

  Paid for 387 babies to have surgery / lifesaving medical care.

The team continue to build strong relationships with the Maisha Matters families by meeting with them on a weekly basis, allowing them to closely monitor their progress and witness the tangible impact of our program. In addition to significantly improving the health of 2,348 babies and combating malnutrition, the following milestones have been acheived:

  A significant reduction in malaria cases.

  A notable increase in the weekly income of families, with some seeing as much as a 300% rise.

  Greater awareness and understanding of HIV and malaria, helping to reduce stigma in the community.

  Families now eating more nutritious and varied diets, with many going from just one meal a day to three.

We are continually blown away by the tremendous hard work, care and love that Forever Angels bring to some of the most vulnerable people in our world.

Much love to the children, Mamas, families and all the team, 

The SPK Foundation team x