An update from Amy at Forever Angels;

We’re writing with heavy hearts, where the past week in Tanzania has brought extraordinary challenges and heartbreak for so many.

Across the country, tensions have erupted following frustration over citizens’ inability to vote freely in the recent elections. Protests were met with violence, and devastating reports suggest that around 1,000 young people have lost their lives. The police and army have been deployed nationwide, and internet and electricity were shut down for an entire week, leaving families unable to communicate with one another or even to know if their loved ones were safe.

Life for ordinary Tanzanians has become incredibly hard. Food supplies are running low, markets have been disrupted, and the prices of essentials have skyrocketed. Fuel has become scarce, and the cost of local buses has increased by as much as ten times. Buildings have been burned, roads blocked, daily curfews and travel restricted making daily life and work almost impossible for many.

Through all of this, everyone at Forever Angels remains safe. The babies are well, and our team has been nothing short of heroic. When it became too dangerous to travel, several of our staff, our wonderful mamas and groundsmen stayed at work for days at a time. They have been on duty 24 hours a day for over a week, holding the fort, keeping everything calm and stable for the children, and ensuring that love, routine, and care continued without interruption.

Many of them have done this without being able to contact their own families, not knowing if their loved ones are safe. Their selflessness and strength in the face of fear and uncertainty are deeply humbling.

Yesterday, Forever Angels team member Hassan made an extraordinary journey of his own. Despite the ongoing restrictions on travel, and the dangers of being out on the roads, he bravely drove out to visit many of our Maisha Matters families, delivering milk to babies who would otherwise have gone without. These families would be unable to attend this week’s session due to the national travel ban and high costs of travel, but thanks to Hassan’s determination, they still received the vital nutrition their babies rely on.

Despite everything, our work continues, but life will continue to be difficult for weeks, perhaps months, to come. Transport costs have risen dramatically, and fuel prices are putting a huge strain on our daily running costs. Many of our staff simply cannot afford the journeys they need to make to get to Forever Angels.

To each and every one of you who continues to stand with us, thank you. Your love, your prayers, and your generosity mean more than words can say.

With all my love and deepest gratitude,
Amy & the Forever Angels Team 

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Sending huge love and our thoughts to Forever Angels during this difficult period. We are incredibly proud to support them. Team SPK xx