THE OLIVE BRANCH FOR CHILDREN
Water is life
BOREHOLE WELLs
Clean and safe water is essential for basic hygiene, sanitation and ensuring the health of communities.
The Olive Branch for Children (TOBFC) has drilled 11 new wells and refurbished 12 non-functional wells in remote communities across Tanzania. Each well project has been made possible through the generosity of our dedicated partners, including Muskaan, Bees Trees Water, the Walker Foundation and the Montessori School in Kleinburg. Together, these wells have positively impacted the lives of more than 20,000 people!
Thanks to our ongoing partnerships with Muskaan and Bees Trees Water, TOBFC has undertaken a major initiative to ensure that government primary and secondary schools in our partner communities in the Mbeya Vijijini District have reliable access to safe water. This effort has resulted in thousands of schoolchildren benefiting from newly drilled and rehabilitated wells, including:
Itezi Primary School – 1,900 students
Nyigamba Primary School – 1,700 students
Nsalaga Primary School – 3,200 students
Uyole Day Secondary School – 1,900 students
Chemchem Primary School – 2,745 students
Mwanyaje Primary School – 1,975 students
These school-based water projects are improving student health, increasing attendance, supporting hygiene and sanitation, and creating healthier learning environments for children and educators alike.
THE MAENDELeo well project
The remote village of Maendeleo has a school, a Montessori kindergarten and a health clinic, but did not have safe drinking water.
A well for Maendeleo is our most ambitious water project to date, due to the remoteness of the Maendeleo community and the depth of the water table.
Due to the size of this project, TOBFC needed sponsorship partners to build a well for Maendeleo. At the beginning of 2026, TOBFC launched a capital campaign to raise the $41,600 total project cost. Thanks to our generous donors, by July 2026 we had raised all the funds needed to proceed with building a well that will benefit 3,500 individuals.
Drilling Is Complete!
In August 2026, thanks to incredible support from the TOBFC donor community, we were able to drill the new well for the community of Maendeleo. TOBFC is now working on installing the pump, water tower, storage unit and tanks that should be completed in September.
The new borehole well in Maendeleo will provide safe, convenient potable water that will allow the community to thrive. Access to water has been a significant struggle since there is no permanent waterway, only a seasonal river that is often contaminated. The well and water system will benefit the school, the health clinic, and provide water for general use for both Maendeleo and the neighbouring community of Mbalino.
The provision of a well in Maendeleo will complete the infrastructure investment that TOBFC has undertaken in the community. The borehole well will provide basic health and sanitation for the people living in Maendeleo and enhance the daily operation of the primary school, TOBFC’s Montessori Kindergarten and the health clinic. The completion of the well in Maendeleo will be a transformative investment that will truly change people’s everyday lives and build brighter futures.
Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this project possible.
Diamond Sponsors – $15,000 and Above
Platinum Sponsors – $10,000
Miguel and Cristina Petrucci Foundation
Bronze Sponsors – $1,000
Charles & Patricia Caza
Contributors – up to $999
David Archer
Raymond Williamson
rainwater catchment systeMS
TOBFC supports 20 Early Childhood Montessori Classrooms located in different communities in the Mbeya region. Our hope is to provide each school with a rainwater catchment system that collects rainwater during the rainy seasons and provides safe water throughout the dry season to community members.
The school roofs are guttered, and all rainwater is funneled into three 5,000 litre tanks. One of these tanks has a faucet, which provides community members with access to the water.
TOBFC has constructed five water catchment systems to date.
Thank you to our Water Is Life Patrons
