Breaking the Cycle
One child. One family. One future changed.
“A whole-child, whole-family programme for 25 children across primary schools in Arusha and Moshi — supporting the child in school while empowering the parent at home.”
the challange
Barriers no single fix can solve.
Children from low-income and unstable homes in Arusha and Moshi face compounding disadvantages — and the pressures on their parents keep the cycle turning.
Overcrowded classrooms
Up to 50 children with one teacher — individual support is almost impossible.
No basics
Many children arrive at school without uniforms, stationery or food.
Nowhere to play
Open space is scarce and school sport placement is very limited.
No cognitive enrichment
Chess and structured thinking are absent from public primary schools.
Family income insecurity
Parents’ financial strain directly perpetuates a child’s disadvantage.
A cycle, not a single problem
School-level help alone can’t break a cycle rooted in the home.
Our response
Two pillars, one child at the centre.
We have enrolled 25 children from difficult home backgrounds across primary schools in Arusha and Moshi in a programme built on two pillars — one for the child, one for the family.
Pillar 1
Support for the child
Each child receives four kinds of structured, weekly after-school support.
Chess coaching
Using the game to teach critical thinking, patience, resilience and strategic planning.
Academic tutoring
Targeted catch-up in the subjects children find hardest — the attention crowded classrooms can’t give.
Sport & activities
Structured physical activity and team sport, otherwise out of reach in these communities.
School essentials
Uniforms, stationery and daily meals that remove the barriers to showing up and taking part.
Pillar 2
Empowerment for the parent
In parallel, the parents of enrolled children build the skills and savings that stabilise a home.
Entrepreneurship workshops
Practical training to start and grow small income-generating businesses.
Vikoba savings groups
Community savings and investment groups where parents pool resources, save together and invest.
“An empowered parent creates a stable home. A stable home gives a child the foundation to thrive.”
How change happens
A chain reaction
1
Parent gains skills and joins a Vikoba group
2
The home stabilises
3
The child arrives equipped and confident
4
The child excels through chess, tutoring and sport
5
A different future becomes possible
25
children enrolled
3
primary schools
2
programme pillars
Arusha
Tanzania
SPONSOR A CHILD
Change one child’s story.
For a set monthly amount, you can cover one child’s full programme support — chess, tutoring, meals and materials — and follow their journey.
Placeholder — this button will link to your sponsorship page (anonymised by default, details shown only after confirmed guardian consent).
Donate
Fund meals, essentials & activities directly.
Partner
Support the programme as a company or organisation.
Share
Pass this on to someone who’d want to help.
Talk to us about Breaking the Cycle.
We’d love to explore how you can be part of this. Reach Prisca Lema, Chief Executive — +255 768 219 420 · prisca.lema@iyannafoundation.org