Rukwa’s Urgent Response: Echoes of the First Years
In Tanzania’s Rukwa region, only 16% of children under five are developmentally on track. The rest risk being left behind - before they’ve even begun. This flagship program (2026–2031) addresses one of Tanzania’s most pressing child development crises:
The Challenge
16%
Only 16% of children under five in Rukwa are developmentally on track (vs. 47% national). High rates of stunting, poverty, and limited Community ECD services.
We are responding now: drawing on the success of our model in Mwanza and Mara, we are now intergrating our ECD model in Rukwa.
Our Five Year Goal
Over the five years, we aim to reach 11,000 children aged 0-5 and 5,500 families, establish 30 community-based ECD centers and early stimulation corners in the public/community health centers.
Our 5-Year Target in Rukwa
44%
Reduce the proportion of children developmentally off-track from 84% to below 40% in Rukwa targeted communities.
We are achieving this by focusing on the places where children spend their earliest years, within families, health centers, and community spaces.
We warmly welcome any level of support you can offer to help meet the urgent needs of children in Rukwa.
