All About Matumaini Primary School

Matumaini is a primary boarding school for disabled and albino children.  Operating for over 20 years, Matumaini is the largest school of its kind in the country.  Nearly 200 children are attending the school from communities around Tanzania.

Located at the Salvation Army property in Temeke, Matuamaini maintains the highest educational standards as set by the Ministry of Education.  But in addition to education, they provide physical therapy and at the same time operate a workshop for the manufacturing and repair of walking appliances and chairs.

Here are some details about the school : 

• Primary boarding school for 200 disabled and albino children.

• Situated in The Salvation Army compound in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

• Providing schooling and physical therapy for Children aged from 7years old up to 20 years old.

• 30 of children are albino, children at risk due to thought they are magic because of their colour.

• Disabilities of the children include loss of  legs and arms.

• Operate a workshop to make, customise and repair wheelchairs, crutches and shoes.

• School is best standard in Tanzania, although still have a way to go compared to western standards.

• It costs USD1000 (£800) per child to attend the school for 1 year.

• Parents are asked to contribute £16, but because they are so poor most parents cannot pay.

• Basic needs where help is needed:Mosquito nets, Sheets for beds (School is open so have bed bugs),Pillows and appliances – crutches, wheelchairs, Fruit, Toys – footballs, skipping ropes etc.

• Children love to dance, sing, drama, making things and to learn english.

• Girls would love to have hair bobbles, slides, braids and pins.

• Boys would love to have colouring pencils/paper as love to draw.

• School has 4 house mothers and fathers for 200 children.

• Government pay the salary of teachers, but Salvation Army has to pay everything else. They absolutely loved the idea of us making a pencil case for each child.