Advocate Stephen Byabato, Member of Parliament for Bukoba Urban Constituency, in partnership with various stakeholders, organized a heartwarming event that brought together 200 orphans from orphanages across Bukoba Municipality.
The initiative aimed to provide emotional support and essential items, including school supplies, food, and personal necessities, as a gesture of gratitude to God and an act of charity as 2024 draws to a close.
The event, held on December 14, 2024, was part of the Bukoba Mjini Mpya Festival. It was spearheaded by Songezi WhatsApp group members under Hon. Byabato's leadership, with additional support from stakeholders outside the group.
Contributors raised over TZS 10 million to fund the festival, enabling the donation of various items to the children.
The event also featured recognition awards for the founders of orphanages and certificates of appreciation for caregivers, acknowledging their immense contribution to building a better community in Bukoba.
Among the gifts presented were holiday packages, religious books (Bibles and Holy Qur’ans), and 50 desks donated to underserved primary schools, including Byabato, Bilele, Rwamishenye, and Bunena.
Additionally, Engineer Datusi, a stakeholder-based in South Africa, donated 20 beds for the orphans.
Traders from Bukoba Central Market and other well-wishers contributed an array of gifts, while the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in Kagera capped off the celebrations by providing a high-quality meal for over 500 attendees.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Byabato invited all Bukoba residents to participate in a major regional festival for Kagera, organized under the leadership of the Regional Commissioner, Hajjat Fatma A. Mwassa.
The festival is set to begin on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The organizing committee's dedication, innovation, and success in bringing the event to life received widespread praise from stakeholders. Many expressed their hope that the festival would become an annual tradition to unite and uplift the community.