ELCT empowers 3,711 youth in Monduli through its development programs
MONDULI: THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), in partnership with Compassion International Tanzania, has successfully supported 3,711 children and youth in Monduli District through child and youth development programs aimed at empowering them spiritually, academically, socially, and economically.
The achievements were highlighted by the Registrar of Societies and Non-Governmental Organizations in Tanzania, Emmanuel Kihampa, during his visit to the ELCT Monduli Christian Center Child and Youth Development Project.
Kihampa commended the church and its development partners for their continued investment in children and youth, describing the initiative as a model for community transformation and sustainable development.
According to him, out of the beneficiaries served through seven centers that make up the Monduli Cluster, 880 young people have graduated from colleges and universities, while another 728 have completed vocational and technical training programs. These achievements, he noted, demonstrate the significant role faith-based organizations play in equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and opportunities for a better future.
He further explained that 790 beneficiaries are currently pursuing secondary education, while 1,313 are enrolled in primary schools, reflecting the project’s continued commitment to ensuring access to quality education for children from vulnerable families.
“The impact of these programs goes beyond education. They are nurturing responsible citizens, future leaders, and economically productive members of society,” Kihampa said.
The ELCT Monduli Christian Center, established in 1999, has provided services to a total of 545 children and youth since its inception. Currently, the center supports 193 beneficiaries, including 107 girls and 86 boys.
A total of 352 graduates of the program have successfully transitioned into independent and productive lives, contributing positively to their families and communities.
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Speaking during the visit, the center’s lead pastor, Ezekiel Mollel, said the program has not only transformed the lives of children but has also strengthened the economic capacity of parents and caregivers.
He noted that more than 1,090 parents and guardians have benefited from various capacity-building initiatives, including entrepreneurship training, financial management, modern agriculture and livestock-keeping practices, as well as value-addition and income-generating activities
“These interventions have enabled families to improve their livelihoods, increase household income, and create a more supportive environment for the growth and development of children,” Mollel explained.
The center also provides more than TSh 3 million annually as seed capital to support parents’ groups engaged in economic activities. In addition, over 130 parents have benefited through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), which have enabled them to establish and expand small businesses, improve financial resilience, and meet essential family needs.
The partnership between ELCT and Compassion International Tanzania continues to demonstrate how faith-based and development organizations can work together to address poverty, improve education outcomes, and create lasting opportunities for children, youth, and families in rural communities.
Kihampa urged other organizations and community leaders across the country to emulate such initiatives, emphasizing that investing in children and youth is one of the most effective ways of securing Tanzania’s future development and prosperity.
