Are you planning to celebrate your holiday season with a purpose?

Allow us to introduce you to the Tushikamane Pamoja Foundation (TPF). TPF runs a loving home for senior citizens, established with a heart of compassion. TPF was founded by Mama Rose Mwapachu and other dedicated members and is a non-profit organisation based in Dar es Salaam.

TPF Home for the Elderly at Kwembe, Ubungo Municipality, Dar es Salaam

It began with a simple mission: to collect and distribute household essentials to underprivileged and elderly individuals across various communities. Over time, TPF established its own home, aiming to address the resource challenges faced by senior citizens disproportionately affected by poverty.

"We started very small. We didn't have any funds. We’d go around collecting household items like clothes, food, furniture, etc., from friends and family. With the support of local government authorities within Dar es Salaam, we identified elders in need and distributed these items," Mama Rose explains.

"But it wasn’t enough. We quickly realised that for many of these elderly individuals, even having one meal a day was a challenge. So, we decided to select ten families in different areas and began delivering food to them," she adds.

TPF supports senior citizens who either lack families to care for them or have families that are too impoverished to provide adequate support.

"How do we select the elderly who get housed at the TPF home in Kwembe? Some are referred to us by members of their communities. Once referred, we conduct house visits to assess their situation. If they meet our criteria, we take them in. Other senior citizens come to us through social welfare or hospital referrals, and we accept those cases automatically," Mama Rose notes.

What Inspired Mama Rose to Start TPF?

"What inspires me most about TPF is the realisation that while so much attention is rightly given to children as a vulnerable group, I wanted to focus on helping senior citizens," she explains.

"The idea for this non-profit began in 2009. The first person I approached was Pooja, who was very supportive. Rickshaw Travels, along with other friends, came together to make this dream a reality," Mama Rose narrates.

Behind every success story is someone who has been a driving force. For Mama Rose, that person is her husband, whom she credits as the pillar of support for her passion project.

"I have to mention my husband, Juma Mwapachu. He embraced the idea as his own and supported me 100%. He introduced me to his network, and they’ve done so much to help the Foundation grow. Thanks to their generosity, we now have a permanent home for our senior citizens," she says.

"Rickshaw Travels has also been with us from day one. Their monthly support has enabled us to provide food for the elderly," she adds.
Each year, Rickshaw Travels supports TPF through a fundraising campaign that mobilises its customers and the wider community. They set up a Christmas tree with ornaments; for every ornament purchased, a gift is given toward essential packages for senior citizens.

This year, the campaign, titled 'Our Holiday with the Seniors', runs for a month starting from the 1st of December. It offers a wonderful way to celebrate the festive season by sharing holiday joy with the elderly.
"Prema has been our number one supporter. She’s passionate about this cause and is always involved. I can’t thank her enough for her generosity and constant presence," Mama Rose acknowledges.

This year's campaign holds special meaning, as TPF will celebrate 15 years of service to seniors in 2025.

"Old age is an ailment in itself," Mama Rose chuckles. "Right now, we have 14 senior citizens living in our home. Our biggest expense is their healthcare... hospital visits, medication, and so on. Sustaining the foundation is challenging, so we need all the support we can get," she adds.

What Keeps Mama Rose Going?

"The smiles of the elderly keep me motivated. My advice to the younger generation is to cherish their elderly parents and take care of them," she urges with a smile.
You, too, can join TPF     in this mission by making a donation through Rickshaw Travels this holiday season or becoming a member of the F     oundation. Let’s celebrate the holiday season by bringing smiles to our senior citizens and giving them a warm home at Tushikamane Pamoja Foundation.

For more information, visit tushikamane.or.tz.