I wanted to take poison and die

Christine spent years nursing her mother who was dying from HIV and cancer. While she was grieving her mama she fell pregnant to a man who abandoned her. It reached the point she wanted to take poison and die, but now she fights on for a future with her daughter.

Christine, 35, was the first born of three children in the rural Kilimanjaro region. After her parents separated the children lived with her father and stepmother for a while. But Christine says they weren’t looked after well – they were given very hard chores and sent out alone at night.

She wasn’t safe, so her mother came back for her, but she was separated from her siblings who were taken in elsewhere.

Her mother struggled to provide for her and remarried hoping it would make their lives better.

“She thought maybe this other man will help her take care of her children, but things were still not good,” Christine said.

“Then mama got sick.”

The new husband was HIV positive and had passed it on to Christine’s mother.

“So all our dreams were dead because I decided to take care of my mother,” she said.

“But because I knew that she was trying to fight for us I never felt ashamed.”

Then in another blow, her mother developed cancer too.

After a very long illness, Christine’s mother finally died in 2014.

“After my mother passed away I needed someone to comfort me so I had a fiancé.

“But when I told him I was pregnant things became difficult again. He wanted to abort but I did not want to.

“By that time I didn’t have a job or anywhere to stay, it was very very difficult.

“With the pregnancy I reached the point where I wanted to take poison and die.”

After giving birth to a baby girl who is now three years old, she met Perfect Vision founder Mama Happy and became one of the first members of the group.

“Mama Happy was like a mother to me. She made me feel I didn’t have to kill myself,” Christine said.

“I told Mama Happy one day you will find me lying there still and you will have to look after my child yourself. But Mama Happy said you have to be here with me and we will fight to the end.

“But my life is still very difficult,” she added.

Christine doesn’t feel able to provide for her baby girl who currently lives three to four hours away in her village being looked after by a friend. She rarely finds the fare to visit her.

Christine is currently living with our late founder Happy’s husband after she was evicted from her rental home for not being able to pay her rent

“I just want to live with my child and for her to live a good life and go to school with other children,” Christine said.

She hopes to start her own business and get a place of her own so she can achieve this simple dream.

Perfect Vision Women works to increase access to education for women, particularly those who have been historically disadvantaged or marginalized. This includes providing support for women to pursue education, as well as offering educational resources and opportunities for women to learn new skills and knowledge.

Humanitarian aid is focused on giving back to the community through our project “Remember the Forgotten.” This project includes providing essential resources such as food, shelter, and clothing to those in need through donations. We believe that every individual has the right to basic needs and we strive to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of the community

Perfect Vision Women Tanzania focuses on providing education, resources, and support to empower women and communities to take control of their own health. Our primary focus is on reproductive health, specifically through the production and distribution of sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene and education on reproductive health.

Perfect Vision Women Tanzania focuses on providing education, resources, and support to empower women and communities to take control of their own health. Our primary focus is on reproductive health, specifically through the production and distribution of sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene and education on reproductive health.

Amani joined the Perfect Vision Women Tanzania team in 2022, bringing fresh energy, a sharp mind, and a deep commitment to our mission. Since then, he has become a vital part of our work—helping plan, implement, and monitor programs that directly impact the lives of women and girls in our community.

Whether it’s coordinating field activities, writing reports, or supporting administrative tasks behind the scenes, Amani’s dedication ensures that our projects run smoothly and effectively. His ability to stay organized while working with compassion has made him an anchor for our team.

More than just a colleague, Amani is someone who truly believes in our vision. His presence reminds us that empowering women is not just women’s work—it’s a shared responsibility. We’re proud to have him as part of our leadership and impact journey.

Naomi is the creative hands and patient heart behind our sewing program at Perfect Vision Women Tanzania. As our Sewing Instructor, she teaches girls and young women valuable tailoring skills—from basic stitches to advanced garment making—that not only build confidence but also open doors to economic independence.

With a calm and nurturing spirit, Naomi does more than just teach—she mentors. She understands that every thread she guides is not just shaping fabric, but shaping futures. Whether she’s helping a beginner thread a needle for the first time or supporting a girl to design her first dress, Naomi meets every student with kindness, patience, and encouragement.

Her dedication to empowering others through skill-building is at the core of our Crafting Her Future program. Naomi is not only a teacher—she’s a quiet force of transformation, giving girls the tools to dream bigger and stand taller.

Christine, fondly known as Tina, is the heart of our volunteer program. She ensures that every volunteer who joins Perfect Vision Women Tanzania feels welcomed, supported, and fully engaged in our mission. From coordinating daily activities to translating and bridging communication gaps, Tina plays a vital role in creating meaningful volunteer experiences.

But Tina’s journey with Perfect Vision began long before she became a coordinator. In 2020, she was one of the very first women empowered by Mama Happy—the founder of our organization. What started as a chance to rebuild her life grew into a deep calling to give back.

Inspired by Mama Happy’s vision and the impact it had on her personally, Tina returned—not just as a beneficiary, but as a leader. Today, she carries forward the spirit of empowerment she once received, helping others the same way she was once helped.

Her story is one of transformation, resilience, and full-circle purpose—and we’re proud to have her as part of our leadership team.

Perfect Vision Women Tanzania was born from my mother’s heart—Mama Happy, a woman whose passion for empowering vulnerable women and girls lit up every space she entered. In 2020, when she passed away, my world fell apart.

In the midst of grief, I was faced with a decision that would change my life forever. I chose to leave my job and step into the work my mother had started. Not because it was easy—but because I knew her mission was too important to stop. I couldn’t let her dream die with her.

Taking over Perfect Vision was not just a responsibility—it was a promise I made at her graveside: that I would continue what she began, no matter how hard it got. And every day since, I’ve poured my heart into this journey—fighting for every girl to stay in school, for every woman to find her strength, and for every forgotten voice to be heard.

This is more than work. It’s legacy. It’s love. It’s Mama Happy’s spirit—alive in everything we do.