When COVID‑19 struck Tanzania in early 2020, Dar es Salaam became the epicentre of fear, economic paralysis and sudden vulnerability. The stay‑home order, though necessary for public health, pushed thousands of informal‑sector workers, especially single mothers into crisis. Markets slowed, entertainment venues closed, and daily‑income jobs evaporated overnight. For women raising children alone, the pandemic was not only a health emergency but a threat to survival. In response, the Relief and Recovery stages project for the single mothers was launched to support 30 of the most affected families across Dovya, Kiwalani and Vituka parishes. Over three months, the initiative provided food supplies, cooking gas, psychosocial support, facemasks and sanitizers, offering both practical relief and emotional reassurance at a moment when hope felt scarce.

 

Behind the scenes, the project became a story of coordination, compassion and learning. Camillian brothers serving in the three parishes worked closely with the project team, holding Zoom meetings after each phase to reflect on challenges, celebrate small victories and refine the next steps. All purchases were made online and delivered safely, ensuring beneficiaries received support despite movement restrictions. The evaluation later revealed a diverse group of women, mostly young, with limited education and multiple children, whose needs were far greater than initially anticipated. While the project succeeded in cushioning 30 families during the hardest months of the pandemic, it also exposed the scale of vulnerability among single mothers and highlighted the importance of rapid, community‑rooted interventions. In the end, the project strengthened both families and the Camillian mission of compassionate service, leaving lessons that will shape future emergency responses. The project used 40,800,000 TZS to its completion.