Every year it is estimated that up to 160.000 Tanzanians die from HIV-related infections. According to the World Health Organization 6.5 per cent of Tanzanians between the ages of 15 and 49 are infected with the HIV virus. Thanks to successful education programs, average rates of new infection are currently declining in the country. However this is of little comfort to those who are left behind. In particular AIDS orphans, who have to look after members of their family and therefore interrupt their schooling, have few prospects for the future when their parents die.

In the town of Mbeya the situation is particularly dire, as it is a transit center, with all the associated problems. It is therefore not by chance that the self-help group Kihumbe was formed in this town as a local aid organization that carries out important education work, distributes clothes and food and helps find the remaining relatives of orphans.

During the day, some 150 orphans who live with relatives are cared for and provided with further education/training in this education center. It consists of three buildings offering space for classes, library, leisure activities and staff room for the teacher. Knorr-Bremse Global Care funded both the construction of the center and also its furnishings and equipment.

Garden of the education center (in the background) with pavilion.

Project supervisor Christoph Günter surrounded by young people.