When we met Asha in the hospital, she was suffering from stomach ulcers. She had three children, born in 1999 (Yusta), 2001 (Daudi), and 2005 (Grace). They all lived with her in a one-room house. Asha sold roasted corn on the street. She dreamed of starting her own small business, selling food at lunch and dinner, but she couldn't afford the necessary equipment like pots, plates, and basic ingredients. She also couldn't pay the hospital bills or medication. Therefore, we covered her treatment costs and provided the family with food. Once Asha recovered, we gave her cooking equipment and starter supplies (rice, oil, vegetables, etc.) so she could prepare her first meals herself.
Timeline & Updates
2016
In June 2016, we visited Asha and her family to see how they were doing. She told us that she and her children were healthy and that her business was doing well.
With the money she had already earned, Asha had electricity installed to her house. This allows her to continue working even after 7 p.m., when it's already pitch black outside. In addition to cooking, she earns money by doing laundry. Her daughter Yusta, along with Loveness, was able to attend a three-month English course at VETA college and now wants to participate in the cooking classes that our volunteer, the experienced chef Khalid, will soon begin.
2017
Asha's business is doing well, but the family continues to live in very cramped conditions in a one-room house with a double bed for Asha, her daughters Yusta and Grace, and her son Daudi. Yusta gave birth to a daughter (Letifa) in December; the father is unwilling to take responsibility and has left the family. The cramped living space is particularly problematic for the pubescent Daudi – he can hardly concentrate on his homework and has long wished for boarding school. Until now, they lacked the means, but thanks to Ingeborg, Daudi will be able to attend Kisomachi Secondary School (a boarding school in Uchira) starting in January.
2018
Asha and her family are in good health. Her daughter Yusta lives nearby with her husband and one-year-old daughter; she is looking for work while her husband works. Financially, Asha has been doing well recently. Daudi has been attending boarding school since January 2018. The fact that Yusta is independent and that her son Daudi lives at the boarding school is a huge relief for her – she now only has to provide for herself and Grace. Grace is in the 7th grade and is preparing for her final exams. Asha suddenly found herself living somewhere else. Upon questioning, it turned out that a friend had cheated her and stolen money. As a result, Asha had to move quickly (the rent is now 25,000 TSh instead of the previous 20,000 TSh). She has learned a hard lesson. Such incidents are not uncommon in Tanzania.
2019
Asha's financial situation was actually relatively stable – she could pay rent and buy food. Then she became unexpectedly pregnant and now has a baby. Since then, she can work less, earns less, and is having trouble paying the rent. Her son Daudi passed the Form 4 (Year 11) exam and is eligible to start Forms 5 and 6. Thanks to Ingeborg, he attends a private boarding school and has made tremendous progress – he recently gave a short thank-you speech in English. Daughter Yusta had her second child and lives with the father and their two children in another part of town. Grace passed her Standard 7 (S7) exams and can now attend Form 1; she is being supported by Renate.
2020
Asha's family continues to support Daudi. He attends a private boarding school.
Grace is now entering Form 4 (Year 11) with final exams. She was ill and had neither health insurance nor money for a doctor. Mzee Saidi described it as a severe case of the flu with a cough. She received money for the doctor and health insurance was purchased (this costs less than €25 per year for students).
Yusta still lives with the father of her two children.
2021
Asha and her family are doing well; everyone is healthy. She recently had six months' rent arrears but was able to pay them off. Now she has to pay the rent of 30,000 TSh at the end of the month. She earns her money mainly by selling juice – with a capital of 10,000 TSh, she makes a profit of 10,000 TSh. During the rainy season, the juice business is slow, so she sells roasted corn (profit: 8,000–15,000 TSh per 10,000 TSh investment). She had to close a food stall after the landlord increased the rent to 50,000 TSh per month (three months in advance). Her daughter Grace will start 10th grade (Form 3) in January if she passes her exams. Her son Daudi will finish 13th grade (Form 6) in May and wants to study business administration.
2022
Asha and her family are doing well. Asha earns her living selling juice. She plans to sell sweaters during the upcoming rainy season, when juice sales are low. Her daughter, Grace, will start Form 4 (11th grade) at Kimaseki Secondary School in January.
Her older brother Daudi has completed Form 6 at Mariado School and is now the first of our supported children to attend university. He is studying for a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance at Mzumbe University in Mbeya. Part of the cost is covered by a Tanzanian government scholarship, which he will have to repay in installments after graduation; the rest is paid by us. We hope to be able to continue supporting him until he finishes his studies.
2023
Asha earns her living selling juice. She can just barely cover the monthly costs of rent, electricity, and water. Her youngest daughter, Lisa, attends kindergarten. Grace has finished 11th grade and is waiting for her results. A major problem is that their health insurance has expired, so they no longer go to the doctor.
2024
Asha is doing well. She continues to sell juice and recently started selling bedsheets as well. She dreams of having her own refrigerator so she can keep juice fresh longer, reduce waste, and rent it out to neighbors. The family still lives in cramped conditions in a room that is too small, but they can't afford anything bigger. Because Daudi lives at university, Yusta lives with her family, and Grace is in school all day, Asha is managing financially better. Grace will soon start the fifth grade of high school, Daudi is continuing her studies, and five-year-old Lisa is attending kindergarten.
2025
Asha and her family are in good health. She continues to sell juice and, in winter, clothing. Business was good before the elections, but during the unrest she was unable to work, and her capital has shrunk from 200,000 to 150,000 TSh. A capital grant of 150,000 TSh would help her in the long term, but first she needs to pay school fees.
Yusta is now a mother of three and happy with her family. Daudi has earned his bachelor's degree—he's the first in the family to graduate from university. He's applying for internships and would like to pursue a master's degree later. Grace has taken her Form 6 exams. She wants to become a tour guide (her favorite subjects are geography and history), but she's also considering studying human resources, procurement, or law. Once the exams are over, they'll discuss her future with her. Lisa is now six years old and will start elementary school in January.