Empowering Single Mothers in Dar es Salaam: A Commitment on International Women’s Day

At Children in Crossfire, we are dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by supporting the most vulnerable children in Tanzania. This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering single mothers in inner-city Dar es Salaam, ensuring they can access quality daycare for their children while pursuing meaningful employment opportunities.

Many single mothers face significant challenges in securing stable jobs due to a lack of affordable childcare. In high density low income areas of Dar es Salaam, childcare is privately provided for a fee. The children and families who could benefit the most from a strong developmental start, are unfortunately the very ones who are unable to afford it. That’s why we are researching how best to support them in enrolling their children in the daycare centres we work with, identifying the most significant barriers for most vulnerable children and piloting a subsidy model for their participation. By providing access to safe, nurturing early childhood education, we hope to enable these mothers to work, earn an income, and build a better future for their families.

Beyond just care, we believe in holistic empowerment. Our Ethiopia initiatives aim to connect mothers with skill-building programmes, employment resources, and financial literacy training to create long-term stability. When mothers thrive, their children benefit, and entire communities grow stronger.

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience of single mothers and stand by them in their journey toward a brighter, more secure future. Together, we can create lasting change—one mother, one child, one empowered community at a time.