SWY16 - Kurasini Children Home in Tanzania

- Can I have your e-mail address? 16-year old Charles lives at an orphanage in Dar es-Salaam. He is attending a computer course at secondary school and wants to keep in touch.

During our stay in Tanzania, twenty of us (one letter group) visited Kurasini Children Home, where Charles lives with 120 “brothers and sisters”, ranging from babies to young men and women. We arrived at the orphanage by bus, and were guided into a reception room where we received a warm welcome from children and staff. The director of the orphanage gave a welcome speech, followed by speeches from a chairman of the Tanzanian Ministry of Youth and the National leader of Egypt Ibrahim El Sawy.

Anja Lyngsmark with children living at the Kurasini Children Home in Tanzania.

Na Na – the icebreaking dance
After the rather formal beginning, the children entered the stage. During the following 15 minutes we witnessed the incredible Na Na-dance for the first time. The Na Na-lyrics are so funny and the steps so magical that the once so formal ceremony turned into a breathtaking dance party, with Kayoko from Japan as dancing queen nr 1.

Where they play, eat and sleep
After the Na Na-show the staff took us on a guided tour, showing us the principal´s office, the kitchen, the bedrooms and the playroom. The standard is OK, neither impressive nor as bad as some of us expected. – I am sharing this room with five other boys, Charles tells me. – In this house, we are big boys. In that house, small girls and in that one small boys. He explains that they live in different houses depending on their sex and age group. Small children have over twenty roommates, while “big boys and girls” normally share with five. – Where are your things, I ask. Charles is showing us an almost empty room. I can't see any personal belongings, just six beds and curtains. – On a normal day it's a bit messier. This is for you guys, grins Charles.

Soccer, hip hop and cool motorbikes
- Let's go outside! We have some nice toys here in the playroom, but I prefer playing outside, explains Charles. He calls for his friend, and they show me some “cool hip hop moves”. – I like soccer, computers, rap and motorbikes, says Charles. – Can you take a picture of me and that bike over there, he asks me. Charles is pointing at the MC's used by the policemen who have been escorting us during our entire stay in Tanzania . – Yes, of course, I reply, giving him an embarrassed smile. The police escorte makes me feel like Lady Di on excursion.

Anja Lyngsmark