Keeping Families Together: Practical Support, Lasting Change
In Tanzania, the cost of formula milk can be far beyond the reach of families living in poverty, particularly for relatives suddenly caring for a newborn after the death of a mother in childbirth. Yet poverty should never be the reason a child is separated from a loving family.
Tragically, around 8,000 women die in childbirth in Tanzania each year. That means more than 20 babies are left without their mother every day. Many of these children still have an aunt, father, grandmother or other relative who wants to care for them. With the right support, they can.
Through project J735N Forever Projects, In-Country Partner Forever Angels works to ensure vulnerable babies can remain safely within their families wherever possible. Its holistic approach begins with early intervention for infants who are malnourished, sick or at risk. Immediate support focuses on a baby’s health, safety and survival, while the longer-term goal is to strengthen the family around them.
Baby Sarah’s mother died in childbirth. Today, she is being raised by her young aunt and grandmother, with the family supported through the Maisha Matters programme.
Where relatives can provide a safe home, babies remain with their families and are enrolled in Maisha Matters. They receive weekly formula milk and medical monitoring, but support does not stop there. Forever Angels works alongside caregivers to understand the causes of crisis, often linked to poverty, and identify practical pathways towards greater independence.
For some families, this means establishing a small business or growing vegetables through a sack garden or shamba. This mother of triplets received milk support for her babies and assistance to establish a small business selling household goods. She is now independently providing for her family.
James is another child being raised by his Bibi, or grandmother, after his mother died in childbirth. Alongside weekly formula milk for James, his grandmother was supported to grow a shamba, providing vegetables for the family and an opportunity to earn income.
When a baby cannot safely remain with relatives, they are welcomed into one of Forever Angels’ family homes while their immediate needs are met. Family reunification remains the preferred outcome wherever it is safe and possible. Where no family can be identified, Forever Angels works closely with Social Welfare to secure foster or adoptive care in line with national regulations.
Each child’s support is tailored to their circumstances. Joshua, whose mother died in childbirth, was also born with a cleft lip and palate. After receiving surgery and ongoing formula support, he is now thriving in the loving care of his grandmother.
This year, Forever Projects, the Australian Partner for J735N Forever Projects, celebrated its tenth anniversary. Over that time, the Forever Projects community has sent almost $2.5 million to Tanzania, supporting 2,100 women and 2,775 babies across six cities.
Together, this partnership is helping ensure babies are not simply kept alive, but can grow within loving families, while caregivers gain the support and opportunities they need to build more secure futures.