History

In 2008, UNAIDS estimated that there were nearly 2.4 million orphaned children in Tanzania, at least 1.1 million of whom were orphaned as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. One Heart Source (OHS) was founded by UCLA students in January 2008 as a direct response to this crisis, with the goal of establishing a sustainable home for children orphaned or abandoned due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In the four years since then, OHS has expanded from a home center to community-based programs focused on education, health, and empowerment. These programs, staffed entirely by volunteers, comprise the educational arm of OHS.

Below, please view a visual representation of the seminal events in the development of OHS from its inception in 2008 to the present day.

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<h5>June 2008: Breaking Ground</h5>
<p><br/> OHS acquires three acres of land in Mateves Village, Tanzania, and breaks ground on the establishment of an academic-intensive children's home for AIDS orphans.++

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<h5>July – September 2008: The Seed Year</h5>
<p><br/>The first OHS Volunteer Program begins. The inaugural year, which became known as <a href=

The Seed Year is comprised of a core group of forty American and Tanzanian students and recent university graduates. Volunteers focus on development of the agriculture, infrastructure, and construction on the site of the OHS Children’s Home.++" /> <br />
<h5>July – September 2008: The Seed Year</h5>
<p><br/>The first OHS Volunteer Program begins. The inaugural year, which became known as <a href=

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<h5>July – September 2008: The Seed Year</h5>
<p><br/>With a lack of education being one of the root causes of Tanzania’s high number of AIDS orphans, volunteers establish education-based HIV/AIDS Prevention programs at two local primary schools. These early programs expand to encompass after-school arts and English programs, as well as community discussions at local shops and hangouts. The program culminates with a public free HIV testing at the local market, in which more than 200 people receive free HIV tests and counseling.++

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<h5>August 2008: Nafasi Nyingine</h5>
<p><br/> OHS staff and volunteers establish the Nafasi Nyingine Street Child Empowerment Program in Arusha to act upon the dire need made evident by the overwhelming street kid population. Nafasi Nyingine means ‘Another Chance’ in Swahili, and the program is focused on providing alternative and sustainable solutions to street kids whose chances have been cut short, but who are proactive about improving their own situation. The project becomes a tri-weekly program offering a warm meal, mentorship, medical attention, and basic English and life skills education to enrolled children.++

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<h5>December 2008: One Heart Source becomes a Home</h5>
<p><br/> Major construction on the OHS Children’s Home is completed. It took five months to build, five thousand concrete bricks, sixy volunteers, nine mud houses, countless nights around open cooking fire, and fighting our personal bests and failures, but when the first children walked through the doors to their new home, we knew why we must continue.++

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<h5>Jan. 2009: One Heart Source becomes a Family</h5>
<p><br/> OHS welcomes home its first six children.++

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<h5>June 2009: The OHS Site Grows</h5>
<p><br/> OHS acquires a second, adjacent piece of land to double the size of the OHS site, completing Phase 1 of development goals for the Children’s Home. The land will soon serve as a community soccer field and a source of organic food to supply the OHS Children’s Home.++

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<h5>May – November 2009: Family</h5>
<p><br/> OHS enters its second year. The second group of children moves into their new home, increasing the total number of children living in the home to fourteen. The volunteer programs and site still operate in tandem, and the focus of the year is on developing sustainable agriculture to support the Children’s Home and expanding volunteer-run educational programs in surrounding villages.++

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<h5>May – November 2009: Family</h5>
<p><br/> At the OHSA Site, volunteers plant hundreds of mango, avocado, and papaya trees, as well as passion fruit vines and banana plants. They also begin preparing the land for major crops. This work brings the OHS Children’s Home one step closer to food self-sufficiency, and will provide the children of OHS with fresh, organic foods for years to come.++

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<h5>May – November 2009: Family</h5>
<p><br/> Volunteers continue the HIV Prevention education programs established by 2008 volunteers, and expand operations to two new schools in surrounding villages. During this year’s programs, more than 600 primary school students receive a full HIV/AIDS Prevention Course, and after-school programs in the English and Arts are established at the schools nearest to the OHS site. Volunteers begin to lay the framework for new community-based English and Health education programs. View more pictures from this year++

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<h5>2009: Nafasi Nyingine Sponsorships</h5>
<p><br/> In 2009, the core group of children who have attended and respected the Nafasi Nyingine program consistently since 2008 are provided a full educational sponsorship at a private boarding school, and the youngest children are reconnected with existing viable family relations.++

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<h5>2010: Stability and Growth</h5>
<p><br/> As OHS enters its third year, the Children’s Home has reached full capacity, and is able to concentrate on academics and sustainability.++

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<h5>2010: Growth of Educational Programs</h5>
<p><br/> Volunteers live in homestays with local families, which strengthens community relations and increases the effectiveness and relevance of OHS’s educational programs.++

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<h5>2010: Growth of Educational Programs</h5>
<p><br/> In the Arusha program, volunteers build upon the work of 2009 volunteers, expanding operations to five different schools in three villages. By the end of the year, more than 1,000 primary school students have received a full HIV/AIDS Prevention Course. Community HIV Testing Days are held every two months, and more than 600 people are provided free HIV testing and counseling in Arusha District. Volunteers also begin to lay the framework for community-based education programs focused on English and Health.++

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<h5>May 2010: Expansion to Zanzibar</h5>
<p><br/> OHS expands operations in Tanzania to a new program site in Zanzibar. The inaugural group of 14 volunteers establish the initial community and school relations which will be built upon by 2011 volunteers.++

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<h5>2010: Community Development</h5>
<p><br/> As OHS grows in size, it begins to fund and implement community development projects in the surrounding villages. The local road, impassable in the rainy season, is repaired and reinforced, and OHS constructs a new choo (pit toilet) at the local primary school, which previously had no restroom for hundreds of students.++

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<h5>September 2010: Government Support</h5>
<p><br/> OHS is recognized by the Arusha District Council Office of Education for its contributions to education in the Arusha District. At the recommendation of the council, OHS plans for the expansion of operations to Musa Ward, an area in need of immediate assistance. Volunteers in the 2010 Summer and Fall of 2010 initiate programs in Musa ward with teachings at Musa Primary and Secondary School.++

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<h5>2011</h5>
<p><br/> The OHS Children’s Home and Main Site continue to grow into a model of sustainability, responsibility, and direction. The family in the home thrives as the children develop a healthy sense of self, community, and purpose.++

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<h5>2011</h5>
<p><br/> Volunteer programs, the educational arm of OHS, are now autonomous from the Children’s Home and Site. Our international team of volunteers works together to provide instruction in English, Community Health, HIV/AIDS Prevention, and a variety of other subjects in schools and communities. As the Arusha and Zanzibar programs grow, volunteers continue to show that a small group of dedicated people can develop an effective vehicle for providing high-quality education in under-resourced schools and communities. <a href=

View all the photos from 2011++" />

View all the photos from 2011++" /> <br />
<h5>September 2011: Construction of Classrooms</h5>
<p><br/> OHS undertakes its largest community development project to date, funding and overseeing the construction of two new classrooms at <a href=

<br />
<h5>September 2011: Construction of Classrooms</h5>
<p><br/> OHS undertakes its largest community development project to date, funding and overseeing the construction of two new classrooms at <a href=

Musa Secondary School.++" /> <br />
<h5>October 2011: Expansion to South Africa</h5>
<p><br/> OHS expands operations in sub-Saharan Africa to a new program site in Cape Town, South Africa. <a href=

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<h5>October 2011: Expansion to South Africa</h5>
<p><br/> OHS expands operations in sub-Saharan Africa to a new program site in Cape Town, South Africa. <a href=

Programs in Cape Town, beginning in early 2012, are an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the OHS model in an urban setting. Volunteers will focus on providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS education and high-quality after-school arts programs in underserved public schools. ++" /> <br />
<h5>November 2011: Chekechea</h5>
<p><br/> OHS establishes a community-funded Kindergarten (‘chekechea’ in Swahili) day school in Musa village, at the urging of the local community. More than thirty children attend the community school daily in order to prepare for their first year of Primary School.++