Food Relief in Tanzania and Beyond: Bringing Hope Through the Local Church

Ashland Watson
Jun 9
3 min read

In villages across Tanzania and its surrounding regions, many families face daily hunger and uncertainty. But recently, Mosaic had the opportunity to deliver something tangible: food, love, and the reminder that they are not forgotten. This update comes from our incredible leaders on the ground, Francis and Vickie Njogu, who continue to bring stories of God’s faithfulness through Mosaic’s work in Tanzania and beyond.

Through our ongoing food outreach in Tanzania and East Africa, we’ve seen lives touched, hearts encouraged, and the church mobilized to care for their communities.

A Story of Resilience: The Elderly Man with No Family

One of the individuals we met was an elderly man, likely in his 90s. He arrived in this village in Tanzania as a young man and has spent his entire life tending to other people’s livestock.

With no blood relatives nearby and little contact with his extended family, this village is the only home he’s ever known. A few months ago, he lost his eyesight and now depends entirely on the kindness of neighbors for his survival.

The village pastor has been consistently sharing the love of Christ with him. It was a humbling experience to come alongside that mission. As we placed food in his hands, enough to last him several weeks, he expressed quiet gratitude.

A nearby family that helps care for him shared their relief as well. It reminded us all that even the simplest gift of food can restore dignity and offer hope.

The Woman Who Sells Ferns to Survive

We came across a woman on the roadside carrying bundles of ferns. We had already stopped by her home, but missed her. She gathers, dries, cuts, and ties these ferns into bundles that can take nearly a week to prepare. After all that effort, she earns just 5,000 Tanzanian shillings per large bundle (a little under $2 USD).

When we handed her food and cooking oil, she froze in disbelief. Then, tears welled in her eyes. She stood there, crying on the side of the road, repeatedly thanking her pastor for thinking of her. For her, this wasn’t just food. It was hope. It was care. It was the voice of God whispering, "You are not forgotten."

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." —Psalm 34:18

The Impact of Simple Acts

These are just two stories among many. Across the villages of Tanzania and the surrounding region, people are struggling, many hanging on by a thread. But through this food outreach, they were reminded that God sees them, hears them, and is their provider.

There is a well-known Swahili saying: "Giving comes from the heart, not from wealth." It is our hope that the local church continues to rise up with this spirit of generosity, meeting real needs and reflecting the Kingdom of God in Tanzania and beyond.

Meet Our Leaders: Vickie & Francis Njogu

Behind this movement are Francis and Vickie Njogu, Mosaic’s leaders in Tanzania and faithful servants of the gospel. Through their passion, prayer, and partnership, our network of churches has grown from just a handful to more than 36 across the Kilimanjaro region, with new growth happening in Mwanza and beyond.

Whether through outreach events, leadership development, or encouraging local pastors, the Njogus are passionate about telling stories of God’s faithfulness in Tanzania and mobilizing the church for Kingdom impact. You can support their work directly by visiting our giving page and selecting "Tanzania" from the dropdown.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" —Romans 10:15

From Joyful Kids to Kingdom Ambassadors

In these same communities, we are seeing children light up with joy through local outreach and children’s ministry. These children are becoming joyful ambassadors for their churches, spreading the word about the fun, love, and belonging they’ve found in the house of God.

Just like these children are becoming joyful ambassadors, you can join the movement too.

Mosaic Ambassadors are passionate advocates who use their voices, networks, and resources to inspire generosity, mobilize prayer, and champion global transformation. Learn more here.