Building Hope ‐ Transforming Lives

Songea's Kids

An all-volunteer, nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in southern Tanzania.

In Memory of Linda Hines, Songea's Kids Founder

Linda Hines, Dec 20, 1940 - Dec 2, 2025

We are so sad to share the news that our founder, Linda Hines, passed away on December 2 following a long illness. Like us, many of you walked alongside Linda—learning from her, supporting her, and sharing in her extraordinary mission to make the world a better place. She will remain close in our hearts, and we will strive to honor her memory by living up to the example she so beautifully set.

Linda was guided by an unwavering belief in the dignity and potential of every child. She established Songea's Kids as an all-volunteer nonprofit rooted in compassion, partnership, and sustainable change. Her leadership inspired countless supporters and community members, and her vision opened doors to education and opportunity for children who needed it most.

Linda leaves behind a remarkable legacy—not only in the volunteers and donors who remain committed to carrying forward the mission of Songea's Kids, but in the lives of the children and communities she transformed. Her impact endures in every life she lifted up and in every opportunity made possible by her belief in what could be achieved when compassionate and caring people join together.

Linda Hines Life

Ethan Hare Hope Village Pre-school Project

These Kids Need Sponsors

There are many children who need sponsors to provide for their basic needs and their education.

Basic Needs give a child food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, supplies. The basics of life so they can grow, play and learn. It gives a solid foundation for an education.

Education gives a child the opportunity for a successful, self-supporting life. Education is the key to getting a trade, a career, a profession. Education is fundamental to lifting children out of poverty.

Many chidlren are successful and self-supporting today because of their sponsor. Please become a sponsor. Click the button below and give a child a future.

Sponsor a Child

Hope Village VTC Dormitory Project

Songea's Kids 101: Why, what and how!

This video gives a brief overview of Songea's Kids, an all-volunteer, nonprofit, dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans, vulnerable children and their communities in one of the poorest regions of Tanzania. It shows how we work with local Tanzanian partners to provide these children a safe, nurturing environment with access to education to gain the knowledge, skills and expertise for a bright future.

There are many happy, successful children due to the work of Songea's Kids and our partners. Please watch! We hope you'll help us BUILD HOPE & TRANSFORM LIVES.

Songea's Kids Overview

Click a card to learn more.

Child Sponsorship

Sponsoring a child can save and transform a life! Our sponsorship program focuses on the individual needs of each child. All children receive nurturing homes, nutritious food, clothing, health care and education. Children with special needs receive additional support tailored to their circumstances so they can live their best lives.

Education

Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Each child in our program is supported from pre-primary through secondary school on to vocational training, college, university‐to achieve their full potential. When graduating from our program, each young adult has the knowledge, skills and ability to build a bright future.

Development

Songea's Kids helps build the infrastructure and develop economic opportunity for the local villages. Improving the community will make a better living environment and provide badly needed income through gainful employment. With our partners, we have drilled wells, installed sanitation systems, built houses, and started enterprises.

Healthcare

The Hope Village Rotary Health Care Center provides comprehensive medical and dental care for local villagers and resident children. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent infant, childhood and maternal deaths from such illnesses as malaria, typhoid, cholera, and HIV/AIDs. Opening in 2021, the Health Care Center has improved the health and wellbeing of local villagers and children through its medical, dental, pharmacy, birthing, and lab services.

Hope Village

Hope Village is envisioned to become a thriving residential community for orphans and vulnerable children and a community hub for local villages. Hope Village is comprised of a Healthcare Complex, an Education Complex, an Enterprise Complex, and an Orphan Residential Complex. Together, the elements of Hope Village will provide for orphaned and vulnerable children and help elevate the local community.

Friends-to-Friends

Songea's Kids arranges a Friends-to-Friends Trip annually to connect sponsors, donors, and interested parties with the children and our Tanzanian partners. These trips allow participants to experience life in Tanzania with a focus on the Ruvuma region visiting with the children, families, and schools. Sponsor can meet with their children and HVO staff. There is the opportunity to visit wildlife refuges and other parts of Tanzania. Join for an experience of a lifetime.

Songea's Kids − Expanding Horizons

Songea's Kids with our partners continues to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children. Through our program of "basic needs + education," our children have achieved trades, vocations, careers, and professions. We have given the children the opportunity to realize their dreams.

We continue to implement the Hope Village plan by expanding Healthcare, Orphan Residences, Education, and Enterprises. With Orphan Residences, Hope Village is supporting orphaned and the most vulnerable children. With Healthcare, Education, and Enterprises, Hope Village is providing needed services for the local villages and children.

Watch the video to see how Songea's Kids Sponsors have helped. There are more children in need! Please join us in transforming lives!

2024 Songea's Kids Accomplishments

Help us achieve more in 2025!

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