Matumaini School

Matumaini means ‘hope’ in Swahili. Since the school started in 1967, it has been providing education and hope to primary school children living with physical disabilities and albinism. ]

Matumaini means ‘hope’ in Swahili

Since the school started in 1967, it has been providing education and hope to primary school children living with physical disabilities and albinism. The school is run by the Tanzania Territory with generous support from other Salvation Army territories.

The school’s main aim is to support children with special needs who have historically been undervalued and kept from education because of their disabilities. It currently has a total of 210 students, 100 girls and 110 boys, recruited from all over the country.

As well as providing primary education, Matumaini School is also dedicated to improving the health of the children through physical therapy and surgery when needed. The onsite orthopaedic department provides specialised devices such as orthopaedic callipers, shoes and crutches.

Children learn new things outside of the classroom too. Recent study tours have included trips to Makumbusho historical camp and South Beach in Dar-es-Salaam. During a weekly study tour, pupils have a chance to socialise with students from Tanganyika International School.

Community involvement

Matumaini School is embedded in and supported by the local community. Parents pay 100,000 Tsh (approx. 40USD) per year in school fees and contribute 3kg of soap per student. Local churches, businesses and other donors offer different in-kind gifts, including clothes, shoes, school bags, sweets and juice, while universities and school colleges provide volunteers and work experience students. Representatives from the school have been invited by the police to speak on children’s security rights.

Social challenges

Students at Matumaini School still face many social challenges. Some children have been abandoned by their parents or guardians. Sometimes, fathers have run away after learning of their children’s disabilities, leaving mothers to provide care alone. The underlying issue is poverty, which is exacerbating gender inequalities.

There are many students across Tanzania who would benefit from a chance to study in Matumaini School, but resources are limited, and a lot of children remain at home without education.