Ndoto Centre volunteers to empower vulnerable children through education, arts

ARUSHA: CHILDREN living in vulnerable conditions are being given opportunities through education and arts, enabling them to build confidence and prepare for better lives in the future.

Ndoto Community Centre, based in Moshono, Arusha, currently supports six children who are pupils at Baraa Primary School in Moshono.

The centre’s founder, Liz Vergeer, said the idea to establish Ndoto in 2025 was inspired by her previous experience volunteering with children in Tanzania and recognising the need for sustainable support for children requiring various services.

“We work well with the local government and believe every child deserves a better life, happiness and opportunities in life,” she said.

She said the centre’s services include extra lessons, counselling and emotional support, as well as programmes aimed at promoting mental health, while the children’s progress is monitored in collaboration with their families and schools.

She said the centre also supports families by contributing towards school costs and essential needs, with a long-term plan to expand its services and enable the children to pursue higher education.

She said the decision to mainly employ Tanzanians was based on her belief in the ability of Tanzanians to support one another and address challenges facing their communities, while also creating employment opportunities.

She said the major challenge facing the centre was lack of funds, noting that it currently relies largely on support from friends and family before taking in more children.

She said the centre plans to launch a project from September 2027 to reach children living in vulnerable conditions on the streets, through home visits and support to help them return to school.

For young people unable to continue with formal education, she said the centre plans to link them with VETA and other vocational training colleges where they can acquire skills such as tailoring and welding and earn a living.

One of the beneficiaries, Mary Vincent, a Standard Seven pupil, said Ndoto’s support had enabled her to continue with her studies.

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“I like Ndoto because I feel happy. They have helped me with my studies and I am now doing well,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Efraimu Mosha, a Standard Five pupil, said the centre had supported him with his studies and other needs, including school uniforms.

Apart from education, Ndoto uses music and arts to help children identify and develop their talents, including painting.

The centre’s music teacher, Kennedy Abdalah, said every child had a talent that could be identified and nurtured if given an opportunity.

“There is no child without talent,” he said.

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