- +255 625 878 899
- info@perfectvisionwomentanzania.org
- Arusha/Tanzania
Behind every smile is a story. Behind every woman is a journey.
At Perfect Vision Women Tanzania, we believe in the power of stories to heal, connect, and inspire. Meet Our Mamas is a sacred space where the voices of brave women and girls echo with truth, pain, and hope.
These are the stories of single mothers who fought poverty with resilience, of young girls who once dropped out of school but found their way back through the power of community. They are tales of abandonment, early motherhood, gender-based violence, and despair—but also of bold transformation, sisterhood, and survival.
Each mama you meet here represents more than her past—she represents a future being rebuilt, one dream at a time. Through our programs, these women and girls are not just receiving support—they are reclaiming their dignity, their education, their health, and their power.
We invite you to walk beside them, to listen, and to witness what happens when hope meets action.
Halima was abandoned by her husband last year while she was pregnant (of the baby in the picture), leaving her without a source of income, feeling very sick and thus with a one and a half year of rent in debt. A couple of months ago, although she tried to explain the situation in which she finds herself, the landlord pursuez her so she would pay. Due to this situation, Halima gets up at 4 in the morning, leaves her house at 5 with her 3 children and hodes all day in the city (at this moment partly at Perfect Vision) and then returns at night so she will not face the landlord. Thanks to a generous donation, we were able to pay for her rent.
Now, Halima will be able to live without worries and will be able to start working again (Halima’s dream is to open a new business)
Mama Happy lived a life marked by unimaginable adversity, yet she radiated warmth, strength, and unwavering optimism. Born into deep poverty in rural Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, her childhood was incredibly tough after her father abandoned the family. She only received a primary school education and, at 17, was tragically coerced into marriage with the man who raped her.
Despite these harrowing experiences, Mama Happy’s spirit remained unbroken. She tirelessly fought for a better life for her daughters and, in December 2019, channeled her profound experiences into founding Perfect Vision Women’s Group. This organization aimed to empower women, break down stigmas, and provide practical skills for a brighter future.
Sadly, Mama Happy passed away suddenly in November 2020 at 54, leaving behind countless dreams. However, her enduring spirit lives on through her daughter, Editha, who immediately took over as chairwoman. Mama Happy’s journey, though filled with immense hardship including the loss of a child, marital abuse, and contracting HIV from a blood transfusion, became a powerful testament to her incredible faith and hope.
Until her last day, Mama Happy found purpose and joy at Perfect Vision, a place where she felt she could truly make a difference. Her profound belief in helping others, even when facing her own immense struggles, shaped a legacy that continues to uplift and empower women today.
Christine, 35, grew up in rural Kilimanjaro as the eldest of three. After her parents separated, she was raised by her father and stepmother, where she faced neglect and unsafe conditions. Her mother returned for her, but the siblings were separated.
Hoping for a better life, her mother remarried — only to contract HIV from her new husband, and later, cancer. Christine cared for her until she passed in 2014.
Alone and pregnant, rejected by her fiancé, Christine fell into despair. “I wanted to take poison,” she says. But then she met Mama Happy, founder of Perfect Vision.
“Mama Happy saved me,” Christine recalls. “She told me, ‘We’ll fight this together.’”
Now, Christine’s 3-year-old daughter lives far away in a village because she can’t afford to raise her. Christine dreams of starting a small business and getting a home — just to live with her daughter and give her a chance at school, at childhood, at joy.
“I just want to be with my child,” she says. “That’s all.”
After giving birth to five children, Mama Neema developed epilepsy—a condition that changed her life forever. Instead of supporting her, her husband walked away, leaving her alone to care for their children.
Despite the hardships, Mama Neema did her best. She managed to support her children through primary school, but when it came time for secondary education, she could no longer afford the fees. One by one, they drifted away. Today, only her youngest son remains by her side, offering what little help he can.
To survive, she once sold grilled maize, but her epilepsy made the work dangerous. During seizures, she would collapse—sometimes near fire—forcing her to stop. With incredible courage, she’s now started a small peanut-selling business, a humble but hopeful new beginning.
Living with her son in a tiny one-room house, Mama Neema dreams of gaining new skills at Perfect Vision Women’s Group. She hopes to earn a steady income, contribute to her family, and eventually rent a house with two rooms—so she can finally have a space of her own.
Her resilience shines through her gentle spirit. Mama Neema is not just surviving; she’s determined to rebuild.
My name is Lightness Remy. I’m 19 years old, Tanzanian, and the eldest child in my family. I live in Arusha with my mother and younger brother.
After my father left us, my mother remarried—but life under my stepfather has been full of pain. He has made several inappropriate advances toward me, and once attempted to rape me. Luckily, my neighbors heard my screams and intervened. Although I wanted to tell my mother, she was pregnant at the time and chose not to act.
My stepfather spends all his earnings on other women and refuses to support me. He often says, “I’m not your father—I could be your boyfriend instead,” and demands that I become his partner in exchange for help. I’ve chosen to cut off communication with him and focus entirely on helping my mother and brother.
Thanks to Perfect Vision and the support of a kind volunteer, I will begin higher education in June. At Perfect Vision, I’ve also learned business skills and started my own small soap-selling business. It’s a fresh start—one that brings me hope and independence.
I dream of earning enough to support my family and move us far away from this toxic environment. I’m deeply grateful for everything I’ve learned so far—and for the strength to fight for a brighter future.
Mama Joyce is a 55-year-old widow and mother of two. After living with her husband for ten years, she was devastated by his passing. The grief and stress led to high blood pressure and eventually a stroke, leaving her bedridden for a long period.
At first, her eldest child stepped in to care for her and her youngest son, but later fell into drug addiction and could no longer support the family. With her health still fragile, Mama Joyce has struggled to find stable work, making it difficult to cover her monthly rent. She often has to rely on the kindness of relatives just to get by.
Since joining Perfect Vision, Mama Joyce has been working diligently to learn English and build her confidence. She is also gaining valuable business knowledge, opening up new opportunities for her future. Despite her many challenges, Mama Joyce is determined to rebuild her life—and Perfect Vision is walking beside her every step of the way.
Rachel is a 17-year-old girl living with her mother in Manzini, Arusha. Life changed drastically when her father passed away, leaving her mother as the sole provider for their family. Rachel had always dreamed of going to college—to pursue her passions and build a brighter future—but financial struggles forced her to stay home.
Her mother, determined not to give up on her daughter’s potential, tried to help her find work in a small business. But opportunities were scarce, and doors kept closing. Rachel began to lose hope.
Then, they discovered Perfect Vision. What they found wasn’t just skills training—it was a community, a family, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through Perfect Vision, Rachel is now learning new skills, rebuilding her confidence, and discovering that while life has both good and bad moments, hope can rise from hardship.
For Rachel, this is more than just a program. It’s the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with opportunity, strength, and the belief that her dreams are still within reach.
Ester is a bright and determined 16-year-old girl living in Mianzini, Arusha. Last year, she completed her ordinary level of education and passed all her exams—ready and eager to continue to college. But despite her achievements, Ester’s path forward has been blocked by something out of her control: her family’s financial situation.
Her father passed away when she was young, leaving her mother as the sole caretaker with no stable source of income. Without a job, her mother struggles to provide even the basics—food, clothing, and shelter. The dream of sending Ester to college has remained painfully out of reach.
Still, Ester hasn’t given up. She joined Perfect Vision to keep learning, to grow her skills, and to find a way to break the cycle of poverty for her family. She believes education is the key to transformation—not only for herself, but for the people she loves.
At Perfect Vision, Ester has found hope, community, and a platform to keep moving forward. Her dream of going to college is still alive—and she’s doing everything she can to make it a reality.
