community profile
The Nzasa community, also known as Charamba, is an informal settlement in Dar es Salaam. This community has an approximate population of 48,200 and about 80% of that population is Muslim.
There is a high rate of poverty and HIV infection in the Nzasa community, which comes with high rates of stigma and discrimination toward people openly living with HIV/AIDS.
CARE for AIDS began operations in the Nzasa community in 2019 in partnership with T.A.G. Nzasa Mission Center. The current pastor of T.A.G. Nzasa grew up in a Muslim home and is passionate about ministering to Muslims in the church.
Center Staff
Health Counselor: Janeth Lifadhala
Janeth grew up in Tanzania’s Mbeya region at a place called Tunduma. The daughter of a teacher mother and agricultural officer father recalls that she and her four siblings had a very happy childhood. She joined CARE for AIDS in 2019 for the launch of the Nzasa Center in the Dar es Salaam region. Janeth has a passion for those living with HIV. Some of her siblings live with a positive diagnosis and Janeth has helped counsel them to a new hope.
“I dream to see my clients happy, focused, and relaxed; capable of solving their issues without fear.”
Spiritual Counselor: Simon Simkanga
Simon joined the CARE for AIDS team in 2019 and is passionate about serving marginalized populations. He is committed to guiding CARE for AIDS clients thorough a discipleship process and is excited to show the love of God through the program.
Center History
Year Graduates Faith Decisions Orphans Prevented
2019-2020* 76 6 182
2020-2021 TBD TBD TBD
*The cohort in the 2019-2020 class was impacted by delays in the CARE for AIDS program caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and health precautions. To learn more about how we responded to the pandemic, visit this page.
Client Profiles
Asma, 2021 graduate
Asma is 46 years old and a client at the Nzasa center in Dar es Salaam. She joined the program during the center’s second year. Asma is a mother of two, one of whom is also living with HIV and a client in the center’s CARE for AIDS program.
In addition to being HIV positive, Asma also struggles with hemorrhoids. Before coming to CARE for AIDS, Asma underwent surgery that went wrong. Through the CFA program, she was able to access treatment.
Asma recently found out that she has anal rectum cancer as well and will have to undergo surgery. She has cried a lot over the fear of the disease and expenses. Her CARE for AIDS health counselor has been able to encourage her with hope. Her health counselor and the center’s health supervisor recently gave Asma the funds she needed for new tests. She was shocked and cried happy tears. Asma has a new hope that her surgery will happen because of the CARE for AIDS team that is supporting her.
The center’s team shared that Asma is a hardworking woman and an active client who has attended every seminar they provided over a six-month period. When they visited her at home, they found many products Asma made after attending a seminar. They believe that she is going to be a good example to others at the center.
Amina, 2020 graduate
Amina Katele is a single mother of three beautiful children. Her husband left when she found out about her HIV status, and Amina and her children have struggled through loss and economic poverty ever since. She heard about the CARE for AIDS program in her community through a friend, and she joined the program as soon as she heard about the opportunity.
Amina was thrilled to meet her classmates when she joined the program. Being a part of a community that didn’t discriminate against her because of her status was life-giving. She learned so much through counseling and economic empowerment sessions that gave her the tools to turn her life around. She developed a deep faith in God while in the program, and is now equipped to provide for her family economically and spiritually.