International fashion model Miriam Odemba is set to mark her birthday in a deeply meaningful way—by celebrating alongside children with disabilities at a Salvation Army school in Dar es Salaam. The intimate gathering reflects her long-standing commitment to compassion, inclusion, and community service.
Speaking about the occasion, Mwalimu Ibra, a teacher at the Salvation Army primary school, said Odemba’s bond with the children has grown into a cherished tradition. “Miriam’s love for these children is immeasurable,” he noted. “Her presence brings them immense joy, and they are already preparing with excitement for the day.”
According to school officials, Odemba has made it a personal custom to visit the school whenever she is in Tanzania, turning each visit into a moment of shared warmth and celebration. The children, who see her as both a role model and a caring mentor, have prepared performances that include traditional dance and a special runway showcase by the school’s young fashion club.
The institution has long served children with disabilities under the care of the Salvation Army, combining academic excellence with arts, sports, and emotional development—an environment Odemba has actively supported over the years.
She has also played a key role in encouraging the formation of the school’s fashion group, which has since participated in several public showcases, including events in Kawe last year and the opening of Sauti ya Mitindo 2025.
For Odemba, celebrating her birthday in this way is both natural and deeply fulfilling. “I feel more peace and happiness here than anywhere else,” she said in an online interview. “I love people, and I want my community to understand that people with special needs also deserve joy—their happiness is genuine and pure.”
Through the Miriam Odemba Foundation, she has spent more than seven years supporting widows, children, people with disabilities, and schoolgirls, reinforcing her belief that true influence is measured not only by success, but by service.