Grace Deya, 70, a resident of Tembela Ward in Mbeya, is set to receive a new home after Tulia Trust intervened to help ease the hardship she faces while caring for her three adult children living with mental health challenges.
Ms Deya has been living in a dilapidated house and relying on support from neighbours to provide food and other basic necessities for herself and her children.
The decision by Tulia Trust to construct a house for the family follows an assessment by Tembela Street and ward authorities, who found that the family was facing severe social and economic challenges.
Speaking to journalists on August 27, 2026, Tulia Trust Public Relations and Communications Officer Joshua Mwakanolo said the organisation decided to support Ms Deya after authorities brought her circumstances to their attention.
He said the construction was part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of Tulia Trust, with the organisation planning to complete and hand over the house to the family by September 25.
“Together with the ward authorities, we assessed the challenges facing this grandmother and found that they were more severe than those of many other families. As we mark 10 years of Tulia Trust, we believe the house will be completed quickly and handed over on September 25, a day before the climax of our anniversary celebrations,” Mr Mwakanolo said.
According to him, Tulia Trust has so far constructed 26 houses for vulnerable families in different parts of the country.
Two of the houses were built in Morogoro Region and another in Ruvuma Region, he said.
Speaking through the Tembela Ward councillor because she does not speak Kiswahili, Ms Deya said she had struggled to meet basic household needs, including food, clothing and shelter.
“I sincerely thank Tulia and everyone who has come to my aid. Life had become very difficult. I survived by seeking help from neighbours. My husband died 10 years ago, while my children have mental health challenges,” she said.
Her relative, Kimaro Mwayonga, said Ms Deya had endured years of hardship while caring for her adult children.
He said the family's circumstances had at times exposed Ms Deya to mistreatment, making her situation even more difficult.
“The situation facing this woman is very difficult. She has depended on neighbours for help to sustain herself and her children, who are adults and have mental health challenges,” Mr Mwayonga said.
Tembela Ward Councillor Frank Mwasyoke said the support extended by Dr Tulia went beyond housing, noting that she had also helped residents access health insurance.
He said more than 300 residents had benefited from assistance to obtain health insurance since the initiative began.
“Dr Tulia has done significant work in our ward. We have every reason to thank her. She has touched the lives of ordinary people, and today the people of Tembela are smiling because of this support,” Mr Mwasyoke said.
The new house is expected to provide Ms Deya and her children with safer and more stable accommodation while reducing the burden she has carried in caring for her family.