Child safeguarding
Children’s safety comes before everything.
This policy applies to our board, staff, volunteers, partner schools, the travel companies that fund us, donors and every visitor. It follows the Law of the Child Act, 2009 and the Personal Data Protection Act, 2022.
Our commitments
- Every decision is made in the best interests of the child, whatever their age, gender, ability or background.
- At school we work with teachers present; at home we visit together with local leaders. We never arrange unsupervised contact between adults and children.
- We do not support or arrange visits to orphanages or children’s homes.
- We do not publish children’s full names, faces, home villages or the exact location of partner schools.
- Photos and videos of children are taken only with the written consent of a parent or guardian, never of a child who says no, and are used only for the purpose agreed.
- Information about children and families is kept securely and shared only as the law allows.
- We do not put donors in private contact with individual children.
- Everyone working with children through the foundation agrees to this policy in writing.
Home visits
- Homes are visited by our team together with the street or village leader, and with the ward or district social welfare officer where needed.
- We ask the family’s permission before visiting, before bringing anything, and before taking any photo.
- We respect each family’s privacy and dignity. We never publish who they are or where they live.
For visitors and donors
- School visits are planned in advance with the head teacher and the permission the local authorities require, and are short.
- Visitors stay in groups and in public spaces, with a teacher or our team present at all times.
- Do not give money or gifts directly to children; ask us, and we will help.
- Do not exchange phone numbers or social media with children.
- Do not post children’s names, faces, schools or locations online.
Reporting a concern
If you are worried about a child’s safety, or about anyone’s behaviour towards a child connected with our work, contact us in confidence at thelittleoasisfoundation@gmail.com with the subject “Safeguarding”, or call +255 746 162 779. The report goes directly to the board. We take every concern seriously and refer it to the police and the district social welfare officer where needed.
In an emergency in Tanzania, contact the police, or call the free national child helpline 116.