Let Them Breathe – Orphanage Outreach and Children’s Day Out

Location: Temeke Mbagala District, Dar es Salaam
Date of Event: 26th June 2020
Number of Children Reached: 108
Partner Institutions: Three orphanage centers in Temeke Mbagala
Organized by: inreallife.site team and volunteers
Project Category: Child Welfare & Emotional Wellbeing

1. Background and Rationale

Children living in orphanage centers often experience a highly structured and confined lifestyle, similar to a full-time boarding school environment. While they receive shelter and education, their access to the outside world and recreational experiences is severely limited.

The Let Them Breathe initiative was inspired by a touching encounter with a child during a visit to one such center. The child pleaded,

“Sister, if you ever get a chance, please take me to the beach.”

This emotional appeal revealed the deep yearning many of these children have for freedom, fresh air, and simple childhood joys that others often take for granted. That moment birthed a vision—to create a day of outdoor fun, interaction, and emotional breathing space for these children.

2. Objectives

To offer children from orphanage centers a rare opportunity to engage with the outside world in a safe and supportive environment.
To promote emotional wellbeing, joy, and mental health through exposure to recreational activities.
To raise awareness in the wider community about the emotional and psychological needs of children in institutional care.
To empower the children to express themselves freely through public messages and demonstration banners.

3. Planning and Mobilization

Approach and Consent: Official permissions were sought from three orphanage centers in Temeke, Mbagala. Despite initial hesitation, approval was granted.
Team Coordination: A volunteer team was mobilized to assist with transportation, logistics, activities, and child safety throughout the day.
Community Engagement: Friends, donors, and well-wishers supported financially and logistically to make the event a success.

4. Execution

On June 26, 2020, a total of 108 children were safely transported from their respective orphanages to a designated picnic area. The day’s activities included:

Group games and creative expression
Outdoor lunch and refreshments
Free interaction with volunteers and each other
Counseling spaces for informal conversations
A peaceful awareness march, where children held banners bearing messages to the community about their hopes, needs, and rights

All children were returned to their centers safely under supervision.

Watch Picnic Trip Video

5. Impact and Outcomes

Joy and Emotional Relief: Children experienced a new environment filled with excitement, laughter, and personal attention.
Community Awareness: The public march and demonstration helped sensitize the community to the needs of orphaned children.
Foundation for Future Projects: The success of this outing opened the door to make Let Them Breathe a recurring project with greater reach.

6. Reflections

“This project taught us that joy is healing, and inclusion is a form of care. Even a single day outside can light up a child’s entire year.”
— Project Lead

This effort reminds us that every child deserves more than just survival. They deserve joy, freedom, and the chance to be seen and heard.