Making A Difference - One Child At A Time

Friends,

A few weeks ago, our Health Director, Africanus John, asked me to discuss a unique case with him. He began describing a five-year-old girl, Victoria, who weighs just 14 pounds. She has no signs of malnutrition, has a loving family, and likely suffers from a not-yet-diagnosed genetic syndrome. Most recently, her leg started to pronate due to irregular growth, impacting her mobility.

I quickly realized that Africanus only had one agenda for our meeting. He wanted Victoria to have corrective surgery for her leg and he was asking us to fund it.

My job is often centered around strategizing how we generate maximum impact using a finite amount of resources. The most difficult decisions come from cases like Victoria's. Cases where the path forward isn’t clear, where interventions may make only marginal improvements, and where the 'problem' doesn’t necessarily have a solution.

I began to question Africanus, ready to say no, explaining to him that this one surgery would be just a piece of a much larger puzzle. That Victoria’s challenges wouldn’t end with this procedure, and her case would likely be much more intricate and resource intensive.

Africanus interrupted me and said, “Ali, you need to meet her.” And so I did, and I was sold. It takes about two seconds to realize how incredible Victoria is.

Within the next few weeks, she will have the corrective surgery she needs. Yes, she will have other hurdles in the future, but this step will ensure that Victoria gets to run, play, and enjoy being the fantastic five-year-old that she is. And every kid deserves that chance.

The truth is Africanus was right. Our job is about working towards a better future for every child growing up in Oldeani. I feel lucky to have colleagues like Africanus who remind me that change happens bit by bit, kid by kid.

As we celebrate 20 years of the Tanzanian Children’s Fund, we hope you join us in ensuring thousands of other children like Victoria continue to have access to the individualized support they need to realize a brighter future.

With many thanks,
Ali Carey, Managing Director

To celebrate two decades of progress, we are investing in our future by launching a campaign to raise $200,000 by September! Every dollar given towards this campaign will be MATCHED by our Board of Directors, allowing you to DOUBLE your impact today! 

*Consent was given for photographs and names were changed for patient confidentiality.