Happy Family Children’s Village
Over the past decade, The Small Thing’s (TST) partnership with Nkoaranga Orphanage has evolved to include providing additional residential care at Happy Family Children’s Village.
Since 2014, the Children’s Village has offered loving homes with committed long-term caretakers for children not able to immediately return to family members, while TST’s team implements a model for family stabilization and empowerment.


This Family Preservation Program has resulted in a reunification rate of more than 50% – an increase of 1,000%+ since 2010. Additionally, mortality and morbidity rates have plummeted while developmental milestones have steadily increased.
Direct support is currently provided for more than 130 children and 40 families, alleviating poverty and with great love, inspiring newfound happiness and optimism for a better future.
Based in East Haven, CT, The Small Things has been funded by charitable donations since its inception, encouraging and promoting leadership from within the local Tanzanian community, while also benefiting from volunteer-driven efforts.
This Family Preservation Program has resulted in a reunification rate of more than 50% – an increase of 1,000%+ since 2010. Additionally, mortality and morbidity rates have plummeted while developmental milestones have steadily increased.
Direct support is currently provided for more than 130 children and 40 families, alleviating poverty and with great love, inspiring newfound happiness and optimism for a better future.
Based in East Haven, CT, The Small Things has been funded by charitable donations since its inception, encouraging and promoting leadership from within the local Tanzanian community, while also benefiting from volunteer-driven efforts.

Its dedicated team of approximately 100 volunteers, partners, advisors and friends work as a global community to provide and enhance support for family preservation, ethical orphan care and investment in local infrastructure.
Working in conjunction with Mama Pendo, and with an eye on anticipated expansion, TST continues to advocate for transition to a family-first model for residential care when reunification is not possible.
Crucial for the health and happiness of the children and communities served, the impact of TST is proof that small things can indeed create big change.
TST is a US 501(c)3 organization under FEIN 45-2466306 working in partnership with The Small Things UK (UK charity number 1157470). In Tanzania TST is registered under TIN #125-148-831 and #NGO/00007641.

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