IN a display of solidarity and compassion, an international humanitarian team has arrived in Tanzania to support low-income families by improving their housing conditions and uplifting the lives of orphans and vulnerable children.

The group, led by American businessman and US’s ex-footballer Ryan Kalish and Shaban Chani, a refugee-turned-humanitarian from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is partnering with New Life Foundation Tanzania to identify and respond to urgent community needs, starting with efforts to renovate or rebuild homes for families living in poverty.

Kalish and Chani, together with their partners, have begun visiting communities around Moshi to assess homes in need of repair and explore sustainable ways to support some of the country’s most underserved families.

“After years of searching for deeper purpose, I knew I wanted to work directly with people — to witness the challenges they face and be part of the solution,” Kalish said shortly after arriving in Moshi.

According to him, he is now fully committed to social change work in developing countries.

The team’s visit is hosted by Dr Glorious Shoo, President of New Life Foundation Tanzania, and a well-established organisation that supports orphans, underprivileged youth, and rural families.

Dr Shoo praised the group’s humility and drive to work directly with communities.

“This initiative is about going beyond the self. Real wealth, as we teach, is not the number of cars or houses you have — it’s how much you’ve been able to touch and change another person’s life,” said Dr Shoo.

Shaban Chani, the CEO and founder of Together for Transformation, knows what it means to grow up with limited means. Having spent his early years in refugee camps in Uganda, he now leads efforts to support orphans and abandoned children across East Africa.

“When you have experienced hardship, you don’t forget,” Chani said. “Instead of running away from those memories, we use them to fuel our desire to help others rise.”

Together, the two men are now building networks across Tanzania to help address pressing community needs — starting with improving shelter and exploring longer-term support for orphans and vulnerable children.

“The homes we are visiting are in urgent need of repair,” said Dr Shoo. “Some families sleep on bare floors, in unsafe structures. These are the situations this team wants to address directly.”

While in Moshi, the visitors have begun identifying areas where they can collaborate further with local leaders, including support for school children, livelihood training, and child welfare programmes. New Life Foundation and its partners are also looking at how to bring in additional resources and volunteers in future.

The initiative is more than just about aid — it’s about building dignity, hope, and long-term relationships with communities.

Dr Shoo added that their presence also supports the broader economy and national image.

“These are people paying for their stay, promoting our tourism, and showing love to our people. We should not underestimate the power of such partnerships — they show the world what is possible when we work together,” he said.