Tanzania
Innovative solutions for lasting change
Tanzania has enjoyed decades of peace and stability, making it a popular destination for tourists drawn to its stunning national parks and the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro. The country has also served as a safe haven for refugees from neighbouring conflict zones, hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced people over the years.
Despite its reputation for stability, Tanzania faces persistent challenges. Rural poverty remains widespread, with many communities lacking access to quality education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Climate change is compounding these struggles, threatening food security and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who depend on the land for survival.
Population: 69.4 million · Poverty rate: 45% · Our reach in 2024: 27,454 people
Overview
Dorcas supports rural communities in Tanzania to learn trades, find meaningful work and grow sustainable businesses. Our programmes focus on creating economic opportunities that enable families to build a better future for themselves and their children.
We work closely with local partners to strengthen community resilience, combining vocational training with entrepreneurship support and climate adaptation strategies. By investing in people's skills and local economies, we help communities become self-sufficient and better prepared to face the challenges ahead.
Entrepreneurship
Dorcas trains local entrepreneurs in Tanzania to start and grow their own businesses, with a strong focus on renewable energy and sustainable practices. Through Village Community Banking groups, community members gain access to savings and credit facilities that help them invest in their futures.
Our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes equip young people with practical skills in trades such as tailoring, carpentry, solar installation and mechanics. Over 500 young people have already completed these programmes, gaining the confidence and expertise they need to earn a reliable income and contribute to their local economies.
Menstrual Hygiene Management
In many Tanzanian communities, menstruation remains surrounded by stigma and silence. Girls often miss school during their periods, and women face exclusion from daily activities. Dorcas is committed to breaking this taboo by promoting menstrual hygiene education and providing practical solutions.
Our programme has reached 75 schools and over 50 villages, training girls and women to produce their own reusable sanitary pads. This approach not only improves health and school attendance but also creates small business opportunities for women who sell the pads within their communities.
Social Protection
Dorcas invests in the well-being of children and vulnerable community members across Tanzania. Our early childhood development programmes give young children a strong start in life, while positive parenting training helps families create nurturing and supportive home environments.
We also work to strengthen safety nets for older people, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to live with dignity. By addressing the needs of both the youngest and oldest members of communities, we build stronger foundations for lasting social change.
Prison Care
Dorcas has a unique opportunity to work within Tanzanian prisons, providing pastoral care and practical support to inmates. Our teams offer one-to-one training in vocational skills, helping prisoners prepare for a productive life after release.
This work goes beyond skill-building. Through personal mentoring and spiritual guidance, we help individuals rebuild their sense of purpose and self-worth. By investing in rehabilitation rather than just punishment, we contribute to safer communities and give former inmates a genuine chance at reintegration.
Climate Resilience
The adverse effects of climate change are felt acutely in rural Tanzania, where prolonged droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns threaten food production and livelihoods. Dorcas helps communities adapt through integrated approaches that combine sustainable agriculture with clean energy solutions.
Through the PIP integrated farm planning method, farmers learn techniques to improve soil health, conserve water and diversify their crops. We also promote clean cooking with the Mimi Moto stove, reducing harmful indoor air pollution and cutting the demand for firewood that drives deforestation in the region.
Dorcas in Tanzania
Meet our Country Director
Lilian Michael Urassa - Country Director Tanzania
'At Dorcas we believe all people have value. Our mission is to create opportunities for those who are most marginalised, helping them build sustainable livelihoods and participate fully in their communities.'
Our partners
Dorcas works together with local partners and international organisations in Tanzania.
- International Evangelism Church Tanzania
- The Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania
- The Anglican Church of Tanzania
- New Life in Christ
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
- Human Development Innovation Fund (UKAID)
- AfriPads
- Supamoto
- ANZA Entrepreneurs and LEAD Foundation Kisiki Hai
- TAREA (Tanzania Renewable Energy Association)
Contact Dorcas Tanzania
PO Box 14385, Arusha, Tanzania
Corridor Area, Mtoni Road
Dorcas Training Center, Killi Golf Estate
Phone: +255 626 102 102
Email: office@tanzania.dorcas.org
