Project: The Cannani Center
A Loving Home and a Path to Sustainability
The Cannani Center is one of the projects closest to our hearts. This center provides a safe, loving home for 39 orphaned children, many of whom are HIV positive and require special diets, medical care, and ongoing support. At Cannani, children are not only given shelter—they are given dignity, stability, and hope for the future.
Projects at the Cannani Center
Building Sustainability Through Purposeful Projects
In 2016, Seeds of Hope Tanzania helped the Cannani Center begin a Chicken Coop Project as a step toward long-term sustainability. Through donated funds, more than 150 chickens were purchased.
This project has been very successful:
- Eggs provide nutritious food for the children
- Surplus eggs are sold to generate income
- Plans are in place to sell chicks as an additional revenue source
These efforts help the center move toward self-sufficiency while meeting daily needs.
Learning, Growth, and Environmental Stewardship
During our visit in August 2017, we worked alongside the children on a tree-planting project focused on environmental education and stewardship. Together, we read Planting the Trees of Kenya, a story that teaches the importance of caring for the land.
With the help of local partners and volunteers, we planted 100 trees on the center’s grounds. The children also expressed their creativity by painting murals and planters, making the school environment vibrant and welcoming.
Future Sustainability Projects
To continue strengthening the Cannani Center’s independence, we are supporting additional income-generating projects, including:
- Mushroom Growing Project – provides food and income
- Bee Hive Project – produces honey for local sale
Honey and mushrooms can be sold to nearby supermarkets and hotels, helping the center generate ongoing revenue.
Current Needs for the Cannani Center:
- Mushroom Project: $1,560
- Bee Hive Project: $1,900
Water Challenges and Long-Term Solutions
Water remains a major challenge at the Cannani Center. Water is scarce in this region and must currently be purchased from the government and stored in cisterns—an expensive and unsustainable solution.
During the rainy season, heavy rainfall runs quickly over the land, carving deep trenches and washing away precious water. A proposed solution is the construction of a small dam to capture rainwater.
This dam would:
- Harvest and store rainwater
- Provide a sustainable water source
- Support irrigation and reforestation
Estimated cost for the dam project: $24,000