Our journey
Two decades protecting, educating and creating opportunities for children, families and communities.
Two decades of commitment to children, families and communities. ANANDJIRA was born in Beira in response to the plight of children living on the streets and has grown, step by step, into a point of reference for community development: from a community preschool to a presence across several districts, and from community health to humanitarian response.
The milestones below trace that journey, built in partnership with communities, public institutions and the partners who believe in our work.
Timeline
On 23 November 2006, ANANDJIRA is founded in the city of Beira – a word that means "street child" in the Sena language. The association is created to restore dignity, protection and opportunity to the most vulnerable children and communities.
ANANDJIRA opens its community preschool, providing early childhood education to children aged 3 to 5 and preparing them to start Grade 1. Education becomes the cornerstone of the association's work.
The association extends its work beyond the city of Beira into the districts of Dondo and Búzi, bringing its programmes closer to rural and peri-urban communities.
After Cyclone Idai devastated Beira and the centre of the country, ANANDJIRA mobilises to support affected families. Since then, emergency response has been a permanent area of its work.
After several years in rented premises, ANANDJIRA moves into its own office, strengthening its stability and institutional capacity.
In partnership with ForAfrika, the association sets up savings and rotating credit groups in the locality of Mútua, Dondo district, promoting families' financial independence.
On its 18th anniversary, ANANDJIRA opens the ATSC and Listening Corner, a space for counselling, testing and psychosocial support for children, adolescents and young people, funded by the Egmont Trust.
With support from the Elma Foundation and Masana wa Afrika, the association implements the projects "Together for Community Well-being" and "An Informed Community Makes the Difference".
ANANDJIRA supports families affected by the floods in Búzi district and celebrates two decades of community impact with its 20th Anniversary Gala.
The future
We want to reach more children, families and communities in the years ahead. With partners, volunteers and donors, every new milestone becomes possible.
Bring early childhood education and after-school support to more neighbourhoods and districts.
Strengthen community health, safe water and child protection.
Support families' economic independence and emergency preparedness.
