Arusha

Country information

In 1994, SOS-Kinderdorf International decided the construction of an SOS Children's Village on the mainland of Tanzania. The location chosen was Arusha, a provincial town with approximately 90.000 inhabitants in the north of the country. Since the building site which was offered in the first place turned out to be inappropriate, the government offered a new site located in the outskirts of Arusha. On October 24, 1998, the foundation stone of the SOS Children's Village Arusha was laid. The event was attended by numerous guests of honour, including local tribal chiefs, the village elders, the Mayor of Arusha and representatives of the SOS Regional Office for East Africa. In May 2000, the first children moved into their newly built family houses. The SOS Children's Village Arusha is located within the suburbs of Arusha, 13 km from the center, on the Nairobi Road. There are two airports nearby, the biggest of which is the "Kilimanjaro International Airport", which is about 55 kms from Arusha town on the Moshi road. Arusha, which is a major tourist centre, is a rapidly expanding in every respect. The SOS Children's Village Arusha consists of 10 family houses, a house for the Village Director, a Kindergarten, a multi-purpose hall, a aunts and guest house, a laundry and a clinic. A market place and a hospital are within easy reach.