About this experience
Come and experience Tanzanian culture outside of your safari! Together, we will visit Mama Max, an incredible woman who has fought her way out of severe poverty, through business training and microfinance provided by a community nonprofit, The Small Things.
First you'll get a quick overview of our work empowering children, families, and communities at Happy Family Children's Village, although, for child protection, you should not expect direct contact with children. Next, we will walk or drive to Mama Max's house (depending on what you would prefer), while I tell you about how our business development program helps families like hers to keep children at home. When we arrive, we will share traditional chai tea and locally grown coffee. If you like, help cut vegetation for the animals, check the chicken's nests for eggs, and milk the cow. You'll come away with a deeper appreciation of the strength of women like Mama Max who have climbed out of poverty.
At a glance
- Duration: 2 hr–3 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 2 hr–3 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Compare the available options before choosing: their itinerary, inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. Check the price for your date and whole group.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What is included
- Tea and a snack will be provided on all tours
Not included
- Lunch can be provided for an extra $5 USD.
Itinerary and highlights
Come and experience Tanzanian culture outside of your safari!
Together, we will visit Mama Max, an incredible woman who has fought her way out of severe poverty, through business training and microfinance provided by a community nonprofit, The Small Things. We will start at the TST site, where you'll get a quick overview of our work empowering children, families, and communities, although, for child protection reasons, you should not expect direct contact with children. You'll be able to see all the way to Lake Duluti from our beautiful visitor's hut.
Next, we will walk or drive to Mama Max's house (depending on what you would prefer), while I tell you about how our business development program helps families like hers to keep children at home. You can ask her any questions you'd like - she's always happy to show how far she has come, with hard work! When we arrive, she will warmly greet you and offer traditional chai tea and locally grown coffee. She loves to show off her businesses, each built off the success of the last - from banana trees to coffee, to chickens, goats, and cows. If you like, help cut vegetation for the animals, check the chicken's nests for eggs, and milk the cow. She now serves as a mentor to young women in her former position!
You'll come away with a deeper appreciation of the lengths to which incredible individuals like Mama Max will go to support their families.
Meeting and pickup information
- From the Arusha-Moshi highway, you will turn up a paved road at Kilala - look for signs for Two Mountain Lodge and Kahawa. Go to the end of the paved road, then turn right at Nkoaranga Hospital. Continue until you see a sign for Happy Family Children's Village and a paved driveway to your left.
- If you have a non-4x4 vehicle, park where you see the sign for "The Small Things Pickup Point," about 100m from the hospital. If you have a 4x4, please come directly to the children's village. Please contact us for help arranging transport from Arusha or the airport.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- English — Written
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- The Small Things
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Will need to be able to walk on uneven or hilly ground
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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