Mbeya District Council Executive Director Erica E. Yegella has stepped in to support 39 children at Nuru Orphanage Centre after a fire destroyed a dormitory for girls at the facility.
Ms Yegella visited the centre in Ijombe Ward, Nsongwi Matanji Village, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, where she donated essential items to help the children cope with the loss of their accommodation.
The fire has disrupted the centre’s living arrangements, forcing management to focus on restoring a safe environment for the children while continuing to provide their day-to-day care.
“I am saddened by the fire that destroyed the girls’ dormitory. I have brought these items to help meet some of the children’s needs,” Ms Yegella said during the handover.
The assistance is intended to address some of the immediate needs at the centre as efforts continue to restore facilities damaged by the fire.
Speaking on behalf of the centre’s manager, Mary Himiri thanked Ms Yegella for visiting the facility and supporting the children during what she described as a difficult period.
She said the assistance had provided relief to both the children and the centre’s management as they deal with the impact of the fire.
“The support is a great comfort to the children and the centre as a whole,” Ms Himiri said.
Nuru Orphanage Centre currently cares for 39 children. Management is continuing with efforts to restore suitable accommodation and ensure the children’s welfare is maintained following the fire.
The incident has also highlighted the immediate need to restore the destroyed dormitory so that the affected girls can return to safe and appropriate accommodation.