Frank Mazika

Frank, 16 years old, comes from the city of Dodoma, Tanzania’s capital. Frank’s parents died when he was very young and so he went to live with his grandmother.

Frank thought his luck had changed when a neighbor offered to take him to Moshi and give him work. Soon after he left his home the man started to treat him cruelly. After several weeks of work the man told him he wasn’t going to pay him, and so Frank ran to the streets.

He spent four months begging to survive, only occasionally finding odd jobs. He slept on the concrete at night and was constantly hungry. Luckily, one of Frank’s friends on the street told him about Amani and he began to search for Godrey, Amani’s street educator.

In October 2009 Amani’s social workers were able to reunite Frank with his grandmother. They continue to work closely with the family to provide counseling and support. Amani has agreed to continue sponsoring Frank’s education. He is now studying at a primary school in Dodoma.