Forever Angels supports orphaned and vulnerable babies and their caregivers through a holistic, community-based model called the Maisha Matters programme in Mwanza, Tanzania. The programme reduces infant mortality by providing emergency formula milk to severely malnourished infants in their first six months, while equipping caregivers with weekly training on nutrition, healthcare, and child development.

Each year in Tanzania, around 11,000 maternal deaths occur, with 30 women dying daily during childbirth due to AIDS/HIV, complications, and malnutrition. With 75% of the population unable to afford a nutrient-adequate diet, relatives face dire choices: abandon orphaned infants or place them in orphanages. Alarmingly, 130 child deaths daily stem from malnutrition.

The Maisha (‘life’) Matters programme enables proper nutrition in the first six months, which is crucial for infant survival. However, with 47% of Tanzanians living below the poverty line of $1.90 per day, a $12 tin of formula milk is unaffordable for most families. Orphaned babies need two tins of milk per week, and this financial barrier leads to reliance on cheaper, less nutritious alternatives, resulting in severe health complications and higher infant mortality. Maisha Matters intervenes by keeping infants with extended families, ensuring proper nourishment and empowering caregivers through business creation to provide long-term support.

To ensure long-term sustainability, Maisha Matters also delivers tailored business support and start-up capital, enabling families to build lasting income. This multi-year grant will enable the project to strengthen core delivery, respond to rising demand, and scale this proven approach to reach more families across the Mwanza region.