Where We Serve
Engalaoni is a remote rural Maasai village located high atop a hill outside the city of Arusha, Tanzania. As of 2025, families in Engalaoni continue to live without access to dependable clean water or electricity. The village is difficult to reach, with dirt roads that become nearly impassable during the rainy season—often accessible only by donkey.
The Maasai people of Engalaoni are farmers and herders who depend entirely on rainfall to sustain their families and livestock. During periods of drought, or when rain runs quickly off the area’s impermeable red clay soil, families are often left without enough water or food to survive.
Past: Putting God First
In 2013, the people of Engalaoni asked Seeds of Hope Tanzania to help them build a church, sharing their desire to “put God first” in their village. St. Joseph’s Church was officially opened on Sunday, August 6, 2017, with a blessing of the church and Mass celebrated alongside the community.
While the church was built as a place of worship, it also became a response to an even more urgent need—water. After an unsuccessful attempt to dig a well due to the village’s geography and lack of proper equipment, the church was designed to serve as a rainwater catchment system. Gutters were installed to collect rainwater, which is stored in six large SIM tanks erected beside the church.
This system has provided critical relief during times of drought, though it is not a permanent solution. The Tanzanian government is currently working on a plan to bring water from Mt. Meru to the region. When that becomes available, Seeds of Hope Tanzania is committed to providing the pipes and a reserve tank to bring water directly into the village.
Old Church
Preparing for the New Church
Old Church
Old Church
Preparing for the New Church
Old Church
Preparing for the New Church
Preparing for the New Church
Preparing for the New Church
Building the New Church
Building the New Church
Preparing for the New Church
New Church
Building the New Church
New Church
New Church
Building the New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
New Church
Previous Water Tap
Previous Water Tap
Rain Water Collection System
Previous Water Tap
Rain Water Collection System
Rain Water Collection System
Rain Water Collection System
Access to Clean Water
Rain Water Collection System
Rain Water Collection System
Present: Daily Challenges and Education
Today, many children in Engalaoni do not attend school because there is no school nearby, and it is unsafe for young children to walk long distances unattended. When the sun sets, there is no electricity and no light by which children can study.
Despite these challenges, families remain deeply committed to their children’s futures. In response, Seeds of Hope Tanzania is planning to begin a kindergarten and early childhood education program in 2026, giving the youngest children in the village a safe place to learn, grow, and begin their educational journey.
Future: Building a Foundation for Life
The people of Engalaoni face hardships beyond what many of us can imagine. Access to healthcare is extremely limited, and there are no nearby hospitals or clinics. As a result, the village experiences a high infant mortality rate, particularly among pregnant women who lack prenatal care.
Our long-term vision for Engalaoni focuses on meeting the most basic needs of the poorest of the poor, while building sustainable solutions that will serve the community for generations to come.
Future Goals for the Engalaoni Village Hope Project include:
- Building a Women’s Maternity Clinic and Prenatal Care Center – Estimated cost: $22,000
- Constructing a Pre-Primary and Kindergarten Classroom – Estimated cost: $8,000
- Access to Electricity – Currently under investigation in partnership with the Government of Tanzania