LOHADA and children’s exodus from tough life

Located in Moshono Ward, on the eastern part of the Arusha municipality, there is a special centre which takes care of children who "Live in difficult situations!"

Whatever this means, is just what the founder of LOHADA (Tz) Camp Mosses Centre, Happiness Wambura, is about to reveal in this week’s interview.

By Nyamanoko Bwire

ANSWER: You know, there are children born of street begging parents, some come from uncaring families or live in dire poverty at home.

But as far as I am concerned, the children I take care of are those belonging to parents who beg in the streets and if fact the children who used to do the begging themselves.

In fact, when I started, my duties were mainly to clean and feed them, then return the children back to their parents in the evening.

My basic intentions were mainly to get most of them out from the scorching sun or freezing

cold and give them shelter for the day.

This drive was provoked by a personal experience. I was walking in the Arusha streets on a very cold, July day seeing little children suffering in the weather together with their begging parents.

I went back home and took some clothing, then returned to dress the unfortunate children for warmth.

Some inner voice also prompted me to ask one of the parents to allow me to take the youngest children for some tea in a local restaurant.

So, this is how it began, I would always gather the children and take them to my house where they will be washed, fed and kept warm.

A: That was back in October 2001 when a certain good Samaritan, who would rather stay anonymous, saw my efforts and asked me if I would have liked to see the children in their own home. I said, yes, and the stranger told me to go and find a house which will be used as a centre. The good Samaritan paid the house rent for six months and that marked the beginning of LOHADA Camp Mosses.

A: LOHADA is simply an ordinary name without any specific meaning. Mosses is a Biblical character who reportedly led the Israelites from slave trade in Egypt, to the Promised Land.

This centre is just like that, leading unfortunate children from tough street or home life into a more promising environment which they probably didn’t expect in their childhood.

A: Yes, I am happily married, with four children but my husband is an understanding person. In fact, he is also very passionate about the children.

A: I am not employed. Being a full time housewife has however, helped greatly in making me devote most of my time to taking care of these unfortunate children.

You know I started by first spending almost the whole day with the children at Chinese restaurant section of Uhuru (Sokoine) street, this is actually where the good Samaritan found me.

A: Personal efforts plus some contributions from my own friends, neighbours and other well wishers but as I have just said, there is this good Samaritan who also helps with the rent. 

Last modified: October 30, 2003.
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