Turning Barriers into Pathways
At CODEWA, we believe that a child’s place of birth should never determine their destination. We are on a mission to ensure every young person in Tanzania has the tools to learn, the health to grow, and the courage to dream.
visibility Our Vision
To build a Tanzanian society where every child and youth is inspired and empowered to achieve their dreams.
flag Our Mission
To provide children and youth with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to overcome challenges, achieve their aspirations, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Our Core Values
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Who We Are
We are a movement of change-makers based in Tabora, Tanzania. Founded on the belief that education is a right, not a privilege, Community Development Watch (CODEWA) works at the intersection of Education, Health, and Climate Action.
We don’t just provide school kits; we restore dignity. We don’t just plant trees; we grow future guardians of our planet.
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Our Inspiration
In our communities, a pair of shoes or a single exercise book is often the only thing standing between a child and their future. Poverty and gender stereotypes act as invisible walls.
We see girls who walk miles for a classroom and mothers who work tirelessly for their families. We exist to stand beside them, shifting the narrative from "struggle" to "success."
The Challenge in Tanzania
Across Tanzania, education is too often a luxury. In the Tabora region, the cycle of poverty is reinforced by high rates of stunting and anemia. For thousands of adolescents, financial barriers like school kits and transportation are not just inconveniences—they are the walls that stop a child's future before it begins.
A Turning Point
In 2016, our partnership with Dr. Pierre Rialland (University of Essex) fundamentally shifted CODEWA’s trajectory.
By integrating economic research on role models with grassroots action, we moved beyond basic charity. We began focusing on the psychology of aspiration—empowering orphans, girls, and women with the tools and the mental resilience to rewrite their own economic stories.
Born from Lived Experience
My journey with CODEWA didn’t start in an office; it started in a small village where the first worry of the day was finding food. Raised by a single, unemployed mother, I learned early that poverty doesn't just take away resources—it tries to take away your dignity.
We planted vegetables to sell just to pay my school fees. Education opened my eyes, and teachers who believed in me gave me the courage to look past my hunger. I realized then that a kind word and a role model can make a child forget their hardships and start imagining a future.
I became a teacher to give back, but I soon saw my own childhood reflected in my students' eyes. I saw brilliant minds held back by empty stomachs and lack of books. I realized that education is not enough if a child is too sick or too hungry to learn.
In 2015, I founded CODEWA to be the bridge I once needed. Along with my co-founders and the strategic inspiration of Dr. Pierre Rialland, we built an organization that treats every child not as a "beneficiary," but as a future leader.
I will only be satisfied when I see these children happy and able to support their communities. This is my responsibility and the meaning I give to my life. I truly believe, as Mahatma Gandhi said, that 'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.' That is not just a quote to me; it is the path I am living every day through CODEWA.
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."— Mahatma Gandhi
That is not just a quote to me; it is the path I am living every day through CODEWA.
Co-founder & Executive Secretary
Our Journey of Impact
2015 - 2017: Personal Sacrifice
Started with just 2 students and a commitment from our founders to dedicate a portion of their teaching salaries to school materials and Health Insurance.
2018: The "Hidden Barrier" Insight
We realized that material aid alone wasn't enough. Despite having supplies, our students still struggled. Leveraging our Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) expertise, we conducted a formative study that revealed a vital truth: children from vulnerable backgrounds face "Invisible Barriers"—trauma, low self-esteem, and social isolation. We shifted our strategy. We launched Mentorship & Inspiration Seminars, placing local role models at the heart of our mission to deconstruct stereotypes and rebuild confidence.
2020 - 2024: Scaling the Vision
The results were transformative. As academic performance and leadership skills soared, demand from institutions grew. Since 2020, CODEWA has partnered with over 10 schools and universities, reaching more than 200,000 youth , with life skills and employability training.
2025: Realized Dreams
A milestone year: our first students graduated in Agriculture & Community Development. Currently, 4 beneficiaries are in their 2nd year of Bachelor’s Degrees, As we expand into Early Childhood Education (ECD) and Climate Action (planting 150,000+ trees), we remain guided by one belief: a better future for every child is possible when we remove the barriers to their potential..
"A better future for every child is possible when no child is left behind."
Our Pillars of Impact
A holistic and sustainable strategic framework designed to transform communities and empower the next generation in Tanzania.
Holistic Education
From Early Childhood (ECD) infrastructure to University scholarships, we remove the physical and emotional barriers to learning. By providing school kits, bicycles, and professional mentorship, we ensure children from low-income families don't just attend school—they thrive and lead.
Youth Futures & Mentorship
We build the mindset and the skill set for independence. By integrating Life Skills, Employability, and Digital Skills with 21st-century competencies, we use Inspiration Seminars and Mentorship to launch youth into self-reliant futures.
Health & Wellbeing
We ensure students stay healthy through community health insurance for vulnerable youth and comprehensive reproductive health support. By providing menstrual kits and preventative health education, we restore dignity and remove the health barriers that keep children out of school.
Environmental Stewardship
We empower youth to become the architects of a greener Tanzania. Through school-based Climate Clubs, fruit tree planting, and sustainable gardening, we transform schools into centers of ecological restoration and nurture a lifelong culture of environmental stewardship.
Our Commitment to You
Trust is our foundation. CODEWA operates with a robust governance system overseen by an independent Board of Directors. We are committed to:
- Radical Accountability
- Financial Integrity
- Community Collaboration
- Measurable Impact
Join the Movement
Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, or a partner, you are the bridge to a child’s future. Let's transform lives together.
Partner With Us See Our Latest ReportsTogether for Change
At CODEWA, transformation begins with people — children discovering their potential, youth leading change, and communities standing together for a brighter future. We invite you to join us in building a Tanzania where every child can learn, dream, and thrive.
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Shabani Ally
Pierre Rialland
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Anne Rialland
