Our Story:
In 2022, driven by an unwavering passion to uplift vulnerable children across Tanzania, John Mansur—founder of the Mangula Children Caring Fund (est. 2007)—set out to expand his mission nationwide. His earlier initiative had already delivered life-changing support to countless children in Mang’ula village, Kilombero District, earning the admiration of local leaders and inspiring a growing network of dedicated supporters.
The success in Mang’ula demonstrated the profound impact of grassroots care: the village school continues to provide access to education and support for many disadvantaged children, a testament to the power of collective compassion. Witnessing this transformation, John realized it was time to reach beyond the borders of his village and address the broader needs of vulnerable children countrywide.
This new chapter was born not only of vision but also of deeply personal conviction. Having experienced firsthand the hardships of growing up in poverty, John’s journey sparked a powerful commitment to ensure no child is left behind. Inspired by his story, many friends and well-wishers stepped forward, offering their ideas, resources, and hands to build a stronger, more inclusive initiative.
One of the most touching moments in our story came when John’s own mother, moved by the plight of orphaned and marginalized children, sold six of her chickens to contribute 120,000 Tanzanian Shillings toward the registration of the new nonprofit. Her sacrifice was more than financial—it symbolized the soul of our mission: that even the humblest gesture, when made from the heart, can sow the seeds of lifelong change.
And so, the new initiative was born. Rooted in empathy and driven by purpose, we continue working to create a nurturing environment where every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and achieve their full potential.
Lukobe Background
Lukobe is a ward located in the Morogoro Municipal area of Tanzania, with a postcode of 67120. According to the 2022 census, Lukobe has a population of 56,574 residents. The town is served by several railway lines, including the central railways and the fast-electric train known as SGR. Nestled within the stunning Uluguru Mountains, Lukobe is primarily inhabited by the Luguru people, who rely on a subsistence lifestyle with agriculture as their main economic activity. Historically, much of the land was dedicated to sisal and tobacco plantations; however, in recent years, there has been a significant shift towards residential development, resulting in the clearance of large areas for housing. Today, small plots of land are still used for cultivating cassava for local consumption, and there remains potential for limited grazing areas suitable for goats and cows.
About Meremeta Community Initiatives (Mecin):
MECIN stands for Meremeta Community Initiatives—with “Meremeta” being a Swahili word meaning “shine.” That word perfectly captures our mission: to bring light into the lives of vulnerable children through the power of education, helping them build brighter futures.
MECIN is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) in Morogoro, Tanzania (Registration No. OONGO/R/3515), fully committed to improving the welfare of children. Our core mission is to mobilize communities, investors, and friends of children to champion child rights and address the pressing challenges faced by the most disadvantaged among them.
💡 What We Do
- Empower vulnerable children by providing access to quality education
- Mobilize local efforts and global support to uplift child welfare
- Partner with the government to strengthen programs that support marginalized children
Our Children’s Educational Program was founded by a passionate group of young residents from the Morogoro Region. Through their commitment and energy, MECIN continues to grow as a force for positive change.
We proudly complement government efforts, collaborating in the creation and implementation of educational programs tailored to meet the unique needs of underserved children. Together, we illuminate pathways to opportunity—because every child deserves to shine.
Why MECIN Tanzania?
About 3 percent of the approximately 21 million children under 18 in Tanzania are identified as vulnerable, primarily due to poverty and a lack of parental or adult care, which leads to reduced educational opportunities. Founded in 2020, Meremeta Community Initiatives aims to be a catalyst for change in the lives of these vulnerable children by enhancing their access to education.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision
Empowering children through holistic care
Mission
We empower vulnerable children to improve their wellbeing by creating conducive environment through offering care, protection, educational aids and raising awareness to the concerned communities.
Our Objectives
Improve Learning Environment
Construction of classrooms, toilets, office building and kitchen building to increase accommodation capacity and improve welfare of the vulnerable children
Quality Education Support
Provide quality education to equip children to join primary education for 80+ vulnerable children annually
Increase in Vulnerable Children Enrollment
Ensure an increase in vulnerable children enrollment in primary schools of about 50 children annually
Children's Health Checkup
To regularly check children health issues for about 100 children monthly
Raise Awareness on Children’s Rights
Conduct community outreach to raise awareness on children’s rights and protection.
Our Legal Status
Meremeta Community Initiatives is a duly registered non-governmental organization (NGO) in Tanzania, certified under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act, 2002 (Act No. 24 of 2002) and recognized by the Registrar of NGOs with the official registration number OONGO/R/3515.
Rooted in its name—Meremeta, which means “shine” in Swahili—the organization is devoted to brightening the lives of vulnerable children and underserved communities across Tanzania. Its work embodies a spirit of compassion, resilience, and inclusive development.
Our Projects
Meremeta Children Project
The Meremeta Children Project in Lukobe, Morogoro enhances education for vulnerable children through its Child Caring Centre. It offers a nurturing space, quality learning, life skills, mentorship, and resources to empower disadvantaged youth. The initiative aims to break the cycle of poverty and help children thrive academically and socially, building a brighter future for communities.
Pamoja Children Project
The Pamoja Children Project in Mang'ula, Morogoro supports child welfare by establishing a nurturing kindergarten. It provides a safe, enriching space for playful learning, foundational skills, and emotional growth. Through education and support, the initiative empowers young children to thrive, while strengthening community bonds and shaping a brighter future for all.
Uluguru Carpentry Workshop
The Uluguru Carpentry Workshop in Morogoro empowers youth through vocational training in carpentry and woodworking. It fosters creativity, self-sufficiency, and career readiness by providing practical skills, resources, and mentorship. The initiative builds confidence and ambition, promoting personal growth and contributing to the economic development of the wider community.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a volunteer, donor, partner, or advocate, your support matters.
Organogram
Meet Our Dedicated Team
John Mansur
Founder and Executive Director
John Mansur, Tanzanian-born with a Master’s in Logistics Management, worked on water resource projects and has 5+ years’ experience in rice farming. He’s a pioneer in child rights advocacy, known for promoting education for vulnerable children. In 2007, he founded Mang’ula Children Caring Fund to empower youth in marginalized Morogoro communities.
Deborah Barbosa Olveira
Board Member
Deborah, a Brazilian teacher with an Engineering degree, has worked in early childhood education since 2015. Known for her joyful teaching style, she volunteered in Mang’ula in 2018 and became a committed supporter of Pamoja Children Care Foundation. She helps fund its NGO license and strongly believes organized education builds a prosperous future for all.
Emmy Waziri
Treasurer
Emmy Waziri, a Tanzanian film artist with a Certificate in Film Production and Multimedia, has over 8 years’ acting experience in village life films. She served as treasurer at Little Charity in Mangula for 2+ years. Since 2019, she’s been a child rights advocate with LHRC, addressing human rights issues in Dar es Salaam.
Ruqaiya R. Swalehe
Projects Coordinator
RUQAIYA SWALEHE, a Tanzanian Social Welfare professional with a Social Work degree, interned in 2022 at Morogoro Municipal Council investigating assistance claims. In 2024, she worked at Gairo Health Centre assessing social needs of individuals and families. She’s also a child welfare activist active in outreach to prevent child rights abuse.
Rainer Werema
Arts and Entertainment Manager
Rainer Werema, Tanzanian-born with a certificate in Film Production and Multimedia, is a drummer and film artist with 4+ years’ experience in drumming, filming, and photography for events. Since 2018, she’s directed Rainer’s Movies and Film Making Centre and aims to teach children drumming, acting, and organize entertainment for NGO activities.
Evaline Akyod
Educational Advisor
Evaline Akyod, Tanzanian-born with a Master’s in Education Management and Teaching, has served as a children’s center management advisor since 2021. She’s passionate about uplifting children from poor families and empowering communities through education and support initiatives.
Our Valued Partners
