I first traveled to Tanzania in 2018, before beginning my college career. Having never left the United States before, I thought I was gifting myself a new life experience before returning to the classroom for seven more years. Now -six years, a bachelor’s degree, a registered NGO, a passport full of stamps, and the first year of law school later - here we are. I couldn’t be more grateful for this journey and how my involvement and love for Chakuwama has grown.

Within only a few short weeks in Tanzania, it became clear that the relationships I was forming at the Chakuwama would last a lifetime. I have since remained in close contact with the children and staff that call Chakuwama home. Throughout this time, we have completed multiple renovation projects and made countless memories; including our annual trip to the beach. I’m now tackling my biggest project to date - the construction of a new center: “Chakuwama Mpya” in Kigamboni.

As the lease of Chakuwama is coming to an end, the center will soon need to relocate. The current location is not large enough to adequately support the needs of the 68 children that currently live there. In the coming year, we will finish constructing a new Chakuwama community center that will best support the current children and countless others to come in the future. The need for this space has become dire following a large fire that occurred on March 17th, 2023.

I would like to take a moment to express my most sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported me, Project Lots of Love, and the Chakuwama Children’s Home both thus far, as well as those who will support us in the future. With every project, I promise to instill the qualities of Laughter, Optimism, Virtue, and Energy.

Lots of L.O.V.E.,

Tess