Relatives Support Program

The children are assigned to us by the welfare office. Our priority is to try to find relatives with whom to place them.

Family ties in Tanzanian culture are strong. A family's income and property are often shared with the family so that everyone can make ends meet. Traditionally, it has therefore also been naturally that children who have lost their parents are taken care of by the family. Usually by uncles and aunts, but also by grandparents.

We are convinced that growing up within the own family is best for the orphan. That is why Malaika Kids' policy is aimed at placing as many children as possible with relatives. The costs per child are then about a quarter of the cost of full care. This way we can help even more children. Approximately 50% of the orphans placed in our care can be placed with relatives and included in the Relatives Support Program.

Growing up within one's own family is also in line with the Millennium Goals and principles of UNICEF.

Grandma and grandchild she was able to take in through the support of the Relatives Support Program.

At the start of the school year, the support package also includes school supplies, a school bag and new shoes that must be tried on immediately.

If we find family, the living situation will be assessed in consultation with welfare. Possibly, with the support of Malaika Kids, the orphan can grow up with this family. Support is in kind and never with money to prevent abuse. The issuance of support packages takes place at the Reception Home and various other locations.

A mediator regularly visits the family to evaluate the situation. The school where the child goes is also visited to talk to the teaching staff. The teachers usually have a good view of the child's situation. During the visit, the situation is evaluated and, if necessary, the amount of support is adjusted.

There are three pillars to our Relatives Support Program. The first is help with education costs, especially uniforms and books. No matter how poor a child is, they are not allowed to go to school unless they wear a serviceable uniform.

In addition, we pay for every child in the lower years of primary school for regular practice tests to improve their school performance.
The education costs are approximately 70 dollar per child per year.

Malaika Kids also provides an essential monthly food package for each child, consisting of basic items such as cooking oil, salt, sugar, flour, rice, dried beans and some fresh fruits and vegetables. Toothpaste and soap are also included, at a total cost of approximately 200 dollar per child per year.

Finally, and this is crucial, we arrange basic insurance for each child. This gives them free access to basic health care, including free prescriptions. This costs us approximately 50 dollar per child per year extra.

So for 320 dollar per child per year or just over 25 dollar per month we can really make a difference in the likely life outcomes of these children, while keeping them within a family.

Our young adults help put together and distribute the support packages.

Child in the Relatives Support Program receives the pass for basic health insurance.

The Relatives Support Program has been expanded with a micro-finance program so that foster parents can build a business and support the orphans they have taken in.
We are also working on setting up a micro financing facility with which we can help poor families set up e.g. a business, a shop, etc.
We also recently started offering the possibility of micro-finance with which these families can build up a better income in order to take care of the orphaned child.