Nixon Aqulin Simba, Tanzania

Founder & Local Leader

One part of my family did not want me and the other part who wanted to care for me had no money and lived in a bad environment. I grew up suffering and fighting since I was born. The feeling of not belonging anywhere and suffering due to the lack of money was always with me. When I was six years old, I had to live on the streets. It seemed to be the only option to me at this point. Luckily, one day I was found by one of the NGO`s in Moshi. But even there I sometimes ran away because I wanted to belong to a family and not to an orphanage. It was never good for me to grow up apart from my family. When the social workers left, I stood there alone, and the relationship between my parents and I broke in a way that can never be fixed. I want to empower and educate families, so that children don't have to face the same sorrows I once did. I believe if my parents had received support, I would have had a much better childhood. I have lost many friends that lived through similar circumstances. I thank God that there were people who helped me the best they could. I want to do everything to make the life of children here better and believe the way to do this is by empowering their families.