About Us
Upendo Foundation Australia supports vulnerable children in Tanzania with a safe home, nurturing care, education and opportunities to thrive.
Our Australian team is made up of volunteers, sponsors and donors who work alongside our Tanzanian team to support the children at Upendo Children’s Home in Siha, at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Upendo Foundation Australia is a registered Australian charity with Deductible Gift Recipient status. Our Australian charity is volunteer-led, allowing donations to directly support the care, education and daily needs of the children.
We aim to help children grow in safety, dignity and love, while building stronger futures for the children, their community and everyone connected to Upendo.
Our Story
Upendo began in 2009, when Melbourne man Luke Bennett helped establish an art school for children living on the streets in Tanzania.
Since then, Upendo has grown into a safe and loving children’s home, providing care, education and support for children who do not have secure family support.
Upendo Foundation Australia Inc. supports the work of Upendo Foundation Children’s Home in Tanzania. The children’s home is registered locally, operates with a dedicated Tanzanian team, and works with local authorities to ensure children receive appropriate care, protection and support.
Many children come to Upendo after experiencing hardship, loss or unsafe living situations. At Upendo, they are welcomed into a family environment where they receive nourishing food, education, health support, guidance and love.
Every day, the team works to give the children stability, hope and the opportunity to build fulfilling futures.
We believe education is one of the strongest pathways out of poverty. Through quality schooling, care and long-term support, Upendo helps children grow their confidence, choices and opportunities.
Our Values
Human Dignity
We believe every child deserves
safety, education, and the freedom to
thrive, free from discrimination and
with respect for their basic human
rights.
Partnership &
Community
We walk alongside local leaders,
families, and communities -
listening, learning, and collaborating
to create lasting change and
opportunities for children to flourish.
Sustainability & Growth
We strive for continuous improvement,
empowering children to become
independent, resilient adults, and
supporting Upendo Children’s Home to achieve long-term self-sufficiency
Compassion in Action
We care deeply, lead with kindness,
and create safe, nurturing
environments where children can heal, grow, and experience joy. We value the shared humanity that connects Australia and Tanzania
Celebrate Gift
Giving
We value and respect our donors and
volunteers, honour their generosity, and seek to facilitate a life affirming
experience of shared purpose. We
recognise that mutual care strengthens
our bond as one global family
Integrity &
Accountability
We are fully volunteer run in Australia,
ensuring transparency, trust, and
respect in everything we do. We honour our partnerships, uphold compliance, and reject corruption in all its forms
"Children are the rock upon which our future will be built"
Nelson Mandela
Our Home and Future
Every child deserves a safe place to call home, with care, stability and opportunities to grow.
At Upendo, we’re working towards a lasting home that can meet more of its own needs, while continuing to provide the nurturing care and education the children need today.
Having moved onto its own land in Siha, Tanzania, Upendo is taking practical steps towards greater self-sufficiency. Farming is already underway, helping provide nourishing food and building a foundation for greater food security.
The next priority is a secure boundary fence to help protect the children, their home and the farming work taking shape around it.
Your support helps care for the children today while building a safer, more self-sufficient home for their future.
Help build Upendo’s future