Due to the effects of HIV/AIDS and the extreme poverty in many areas of Tanzania, there are large numbers of orphaned and abandoned children throughout the country, and many orphanages of various sizes. Some of the more established orphanages have good links with overseas volunteer programmes and sponsorship opportunities but others are in dire need.

Heart for Africa focuses on helping some of Arusha’s smaller community-centred orphanages who find it more difficult to access necessary resources. These currently include New Paradiso Orphanage, Bethlehem Center for Children and Green Path Children's Home, each of which caters for between 10 and 25 children.