Kijana Kwanza is a grassroots charity based in Moshi, Tanzania that rescues  orphans, street children and victims of abuse, providing them with  shelter, schooling and life skills training. Our apprenticeship program offers a young person the opportunity to learn a trade that in future can provide a regular income, whilst earning a wage at the same time. 

Young people learning how to paint and decorate.

15 year old Rizwani, a school drop-out, joined Kijana Kwanza in April 2023, after the orphanage he was staying in was forced to close down. He started an apprenticeship as a Trainee welder at a local business. Since then he has flourished,matured and has a real sense of purpose in life.

Rizwan created a table from scrap metal. He is using the funds from its sale as capital to build a bedframe, which will make a bigger profit. 

Apprenticeships are most suitable for young people who are unlikely to benefit from formal vocational training in a college setting and who cannot take time off to study as they need money to provide for their family and/or younger siblings. 

They include 𝟭𝟰-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗺, a school drop-out with no future prospects, 𝟭𝟴-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲, who is financially responsible for her young siblings after their mother died and 𝟮𝟭-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗻, who is a single mother with a young baby to care for. All of whom undertook a tailoring apprenticeship last year. 

Mariam now runs her own tailoring business, from a small shack, using the sewing machine that was gifted to her on completion of her training. 

We offer apprenticeships in a range of industries including tailoring, welding, hairdressing, mechanics, carpentry and beauty therapy. Apprenticeships last up to 2 years after which successful and motivated candidates may apply for a grant or interest-free loan to set up their own small business. 

We are waiting for your donation to help transform the lives. Please don't delay. 

ZAKAT: This campaign is Zakat eligible in accordance with our policy published on our website: kijana-kwanza.org.

About Kijana Kwanza (Young People First)

Kijana Kwanza (Young People First) is a grassroots project based in Moshi, Tanzania that empowers children and young people with the skills and opportunities to prepare them for a future without poverty.

The organisation directly sponsors over 200 children and young people, most of whom are orphaned, abandoned or from single-parent families, who reside in the community, in foster care or on-site at one of our children’s homes or youth hostels. Most of our children and young people attend school or are enrolled in a vocational course at college, whilst some undertake apprenticeships or work-shadowing in local industry. Outside of formal education, we deliver an extensive programme of extra-curricular learning, which emphasises soft skills development, leadership training and digital inclusion. 

Aside from direct student sponsorship, Kijana Kwanza delivers a variety of day services and social welfare provision from its HQ in Moshi Town, for the wider community of children, young people and their families. These include free and subsidised English language and Computer classes, a Study Café, hardship grants and interest-free loans, seasonal campaigns, community events and microfinance initiatives.

For a full list of our activities, visit www.kijana-kwanza.org. 

For more information, you can also contact our UK Director (based on-site in Tanzania), Mohammed S Mamdani, by WhatsApp on +44 7903 986 022 or email mohammed@kijana-kwanza.org.