Building together: Local voices shaping Kao La Amani Children’s Village

Marking World Humanitarian Day 2025 in Tanzania

This year’s World Humanitarian Day celebrates strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities - a theme that recognises that lasting change happens when local expertise leads the way. It’s about listening to the people who understand a place best, valuing their skills, and working side-by-side to deliver solutions that last.

At Article 25, this is at the heart of how we work: humanitarian architecture shaped not only for communities, but with them.

At Kao La Amani Children’s Village in Boma Ng’ombe, Tanzania, this principle comes to life through the leadership and insight of local professionals. Site Architect Paulina Shari Stanley and Engineer Gloria Shali are more than technical leads - they are collaborators, problem-solvers, and advocates for a community-led design process that ensures every building meets the needs of the children and staff who live there.

Why Kao La Amani matters

In Tanzania, roughly 8% of children under the age of 18 are orphaned, with around 90,000 in the northern Kilimanjaro region alone. Many arrive at Kao La Amani malnourished or in need of medical care, seeking a safe place to live, learn, and grow.

The Children’s Village consists of six cottages, each with its own live-in ‘Mama,’ alongside spaces for study, sport, and play. Designed with sustainability in mind - from solar water heating and rainwater harvesting to locally sourced building materials - the village is a home that protects and nurtures, giving children a fair start in life.

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

“Louise had the dream, but she knew she couldn’t do it alone. We have Mamas, pastors, children, government staff, and partners from all over the world - each bringing their own love and commitment. That’s how you make a real difference.”

— Paulina Shari Stanley, Site Architect

Paulina-Shari Stanley on site.

Paulina’s approach is rooted in listening - to traditions, lifestyles, and the lived experiences of the children and staff.

“You can never just design from the blue. It must be from the people who are from there. Only then can you create something that truly works.”

Gloria Shali, Engineer, joined the project eager to learn from new ways of working.

“Kao La Amani was a chance to understand how other countries handle design, supervision, and detailing. We discussed everything - sometimes we disagreed - but always found a solution together.”

Gloria Shali, Engineer.

One of the biggest shifts for her came from the emphasis on precision.

“Here, many builders work from experience, not drawings. At Kao La Amani, we all learned the value of carrying out the work exactly as designed. It’s made our local teams better for every project that comes after.”

The project also stretched Gloria’s technical skills, from timber truss roofing to wetland drainage systems uncommon in local builds.

“We had never done brick buildings or wetlands before. At first, even the council doubted the system would work here. But it has - through heavy rains - and now I recommend it to everyone.”

For Paulina, the new primary school now in development is a continuation of that same philosophy:

“It takes the staff, the students, the government, and all these partners from different places to bring it to life. Everyone comes with love - and that changes everything.”

Her guiding principle runs through all her work:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world. You can only give from a full cup.”

Gloria, who grew up watching her father work as a civil engineer, has faced - and overcome - the gender barriers of a male-dominated profession.

“Once they know you’re the engineer, they listen. They see you can deliver.”

At Kao La Amani, solidarity isn’t an abstract principle - it’s a daily practice. Decisions are made through dialogue, every skill is valued, and each person leaves better equipped for the next challenge.

As Gloria puts it:

“This was a perfect project in so many ways - not because it was easy, but because we learned together. And that learning will keep shaping what we build for years to come.”

Looking ahead

Our partnership with Kao La Amani is far from over. We’re excited to continue working with the project team as we refurbish existing classroom facilities and begin construction this October on a new dining block and additional amenities for a preschool and primary school that will extend the village’s mission - providing children not only with a home, but with the education, care and opportunities they need to thrive. More news coming soon!