Innovo’s Support of Amani Kids Improved Outcomes for 400+ Vulnerable Tanzanian Children in 2024

Amani Centre for Street Children (Amani Kids) has dedicated itself to providing hope, education, and a brighter future for vulnerable children in Tanzania who face food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to education and other vital resources that aid development and growth. Amani Kids is committed to reducing the number of Tanzanian children living on the streets by providing a nurturing place for abused and homeless children to heal, grow, and learn.

Innovo Benefits Group is a proud supporter of Amani Kids, and our team is extremely motivated by its commitment to providing these children with the opportunity for a brighter future. To that end, Innovo has pledged a three-year commitment to supporting Amani Kids, specifically by funding its Child Counseling and Well-Being Program. After two years of support, Innovo’s partnership with Amani Kids has yielded remarkable results.

According to Amani Kids’ Second-Year Report, the Amani-Innovo Child Counseling and Well-Being Program supported Amani Kids’ counselors in reaching 438 children (308 boys and 130 girls). More than 275 intensive individual counseling sessions were conducted, focusing on helping children process trauma, build self-esteem, and learn to manage stress and emotions.

In addition, a total of 127 group counseling/life skills sessions were held for children at the Moshi and Arusha centers, the safe house, and through Amani Kids' new sex work project. These group sessions allowed children to share their stories, learn from peers, and build essential life skills. Key topics covered in these sessions included:

• Substance use awareness
• Sexual health education
• Developing self-confidence
• Managing peer pressure
• Building and maintaining healthy relationships
• Healthy coping strategies
• Goal setting and future planning

Beyond counseling and therapy, children at Amani Kids participated in healing activities such as sports (soccer, basketball, and aerobics), arts (painting and sculpting), and games (board games, Legos, and foosball). These activities helped build social skills and provided a sense of 'home' where children could simply be children again.

Key Achievements:

• Child Case Management System: Amani Kids launched a digital system to centralize data on the children in their care, improving the tracking and management of their progress.
• New Drop-In Centers: Amani Kids expanded its outreach with new drop-in centers in Moshi and Arusha, providing counseling, medical attention, and life skills training to children still living on the streets.
• Expansion of Rescue Areas: With government authorization, Amani Kids extended their rescue efforts to new regions, broadening their impact and supporting more vulnerable children.