Safety, Hope, and a New Path for Life
A Shelter for Women in Tanzania
At the shelter, girls who have experienced various forms of violence can recover in a safe environment and begin to build a new direction for their lives.
Safety, Hope, and a New Path for Life
A Shelter for Women in Tanzania
At the shelter, girls who have experienced various forms of violence can recover in a safe environment and begin to build a new direction for their lives.
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How can you help girls and women in Tanzania?
The YMCA Lempäälä supports the operations of Kimbilio by covering approximately half of Kimbilio’s annual budget, which is paid to the Diocese of Morogoro. The current cooperation agreement is valid until the end of 2027. In addition, we support projects as needed that aim to strengthen Kimbilio’s future self-sufficiency.
Examples of such projects include the establishment of a garden and a chicken farm. The Diocese reports to the YMCA every three months on Kimbilio’s activities and the use of funds. Approximately 98% of the collected funds go directly to Kimbilio. The only administrative costs are related to banking and international money transfers.
The proceeds from Toivontori, Lempäälä, Finland are used to support Kimbilio, through Lempäälä YMCA.
Address:
Atrantie 2
37500 Lempäälä
Collaboration Beyond Borders
Kimbilio is a Swahili word meaning safety, refuge, or shelter. The project aims to improve the basic security of women and to establish a shelter for women and girls in Morogoro.
The project began after a visit in autumn 2011 by Ruth Mmarin, the head of child and women’s work in the Morogoro Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, to the Lempäälä parish. Her stories about the situation of Tanzanian women inspired the idea of creating a shelter.
Information about Kimbilio
Kimbilio has had over a hundred clients so far. The majority of clients have been underage girls. Avoiding early/forced marriage and circumcision (FGM), sexual violence (GBV) and incest have been the most common reasons for seeking help at Kimbilio.
The Kimbilio Shelter began its operations in the fall of 2017. Our support remains crucial to maintain its activities.
In March 2025, the YMCA and the Morogoro Diocese signed a new three-year cooperation agreement. We are seeking ways to secure more local funding. The COVID-19 pandemic years and irregular rainy seasons over the past five years have posed challenges to fundraising and overall operations. The Lempäälä parish also continues to support Kimbilio.
The Kimbilio shelter in Morogoro, Tanzania, continues its vital work especially for girls in vulnerable positions. At the shelter, girls who have experienced various forms of violence can recover in a safe environment and begin to build a new direction for their lives.
Kimbilio is authorised by the Tanzanian authorities to serve as a safe house. The clients
are referred to Kimbilio by social welfare officers and/or Morogoro Police Gender Desk.
The clients can not come straight to Kimbilio, but they must first contact the authorities
mentioned above.
Any woman and girl who needs protection from mental or physical violence can come into the Kimbilio House, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation. Women with disabilities are accepted as well as those who are able-bodied. Also, it is possible for children to come together with their mother/guardian who is in need of security. Staying in Kimbilio is free of charge for the clients.
Women who have come into the house, and the children arriving with them, get sheltered for a limited time in the Kimbilio House. In exceptional cases, they may be allowed to stay until other safe accommodations are found.
Money is not provided. However, women and children receive basic daily food, housing and all the assistance and protection needed while they stay in the house. Necessary assistance will be acquired for the women by their needs from a social worker, doctor, police officer, security person, a lawyer, a pastor etc.
Location
The city of Morogoro has an estimated population of 400,000. It is located on the southern highlands of the country, at the foothills of the Uluguru Mountains, which rise to about 2,000 meters above sea level, approximately 190 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam.
The latest updates can be found on our Facebook page.
The e-book telling the story of Kimbilio has been published.
Increase your understanding and knowledge by reading the free e-book (Finnish) written by Irja Aro-Heinilä about the stages of Kimbilio, available at this link.
Contact Us
Lempäälän NMKY ry, Finland
Mikko Vesamäki
Project secretary
Matti Vehviläinen
Ohjausryhmän pj
Irja Aro-Heinilä
Chairperson of the steering group
Department of Women and Children’s Work of the Diocese of Morogoro, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
Mary Nnko
Director of Women’s and Children’s Department, Ministry, Pastor
Mozza Mapende
Matron of Kimbilio