Children’s Photography Workshop Himo Pofo Primary School

When I arrived at Himo Pofo School in Himo, Tanzania in April 2023, I was met with bright smiles and warm welcomes—but also with the reality of a school struggling against tough odds. The classrooms had no doors or windows. The walls were worn and cracked. Most striking of all, there were no toilets, and very few children had a proper place to sit. Many of them spent their lessons on the floor, which becomes almost impossible during the rainy season when the ground turns cold and damp.

I was there to run a photography workshop, but what I saw and heard stayed with me long after the cameras were put away. The headteacher spoke to us about the school’s urgent needs, and one request stood out above all: desks. A simple thing, but something that could make a huge difference.

So we set to work. And in March 2024, we returned to Himo Pofo with 10 newly made desks—enough to seat 30 children. Each desk cost just £35 to build and was lovingly crafted by a local carpenter, supporting both the school and the community around it. Watching the children’s faces light up as the desks were brought in is something I’ll never forget. You could see it instantly: a sense of pride, of possibility, of being seen.

But this is only the beginning. The next step is to bring play and energy into the school day by supplying sports equipment—starting with netballs and footballs. These are more than just games. They offer children a chance to move, to connect, to feel joy.

Himo Pofo is a school with heart, filled with children who are eager to learn and grow. All they need are the tools to do so. Whether it’s a desk, a ball, or a safe place to use the toilet—each small act of support creates real, lasting change.

We’re proud to stand alongside them, and we hope others will join us. Because when children are given the chance to thrive, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.

If you would like to support projects like this, your donation helps Lives In Focus continue creating opportunities for children to learn, explore creativity, and build confidence. Every contribution helps us deliver workshops, provide meals, and work alongside local communities across Africa.