Our director, Carolyn Philpott was born on 13th June, 1938 in California, where she spent her early years. By the age of 27, she found her spiritual calling and began serving in ministry, committing herself to a life shaped by faith and service. She later moved to the United Kingdom, where her path led her into missionary work at the Living Waters Discipleship Centre in North Wales. Her first visit to Mwanza, Tanzania in 1993 became a turning point. What started as a brief trip grew into a lasting connection, drawing her back regularly and allowing her to build strong relationships within the community. Over time, she has touched hundreds of lives, gaining experience and a deeper understanding of what consistent, ground-level service truly requires.
In 1998, Living Waters Primary Education Centre was established as the building block of this journey, which extended to the Children’s Home, Visitor Quarters, Assembly Hall, and Secondary School. Today, the Living Waters campus sits by the quiet shores of Lake Victoria, consisting of 13 buildings with a family of over 50 residents and staff members. Carolyn’s strong foundation combined with the effort of our donors and on-ground supporters continues to reflect a steady commitment, practical service, and a long-standing relationship with the people and community we serve.
Living Waters is committed to providing consistent education, structured care, and community-based support through its primary and secondary schools, children’s home, and outreach programs. We focus on practical, experiential learning that builds strong foundations and real-world skills. Through the planned Vocational Training Institute, we aim to extend this approach by offering skill-based courses that lead to employment and self-reliance. Our work remains rooted in long-term engagement, affordability, and responding to the everyday needs of the community we serve.
To see children, youth, and families in Mwanza grow in faith, character, and confidence, supported by meaningful learning and guided by humanitarian values, so they are equipped to lead responsible, independent lives and positively impact their communities.
The Living Waters Secondary School was established in 2018, in accordance with the Education Act, to extend structured, English medium education beyond primary level. It currently serves students from Form 1 to Form 4, following the Tanzanian national curriculum and preparing them for their Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.
Since its incorporation, over 110 students have successfully completed their secondary education, reflecting steady academic progress and continuity from the primary section. The school is equipped with dedicated laboratories for physics, chemistry, biology, and computer studies, supporting practical learning alongside classroom teaching. A well-stocked library further encourages independent study and reading.
The Living Waters Children’s Home provides a stable and structured living environment for children in need of long-term care. The home consists of three residential buildings: Danforth/Richardson Boys Home of Hope, Hyland Girls Home of Hope, and Kaslos Girls Home of Hope. As of March 2026, 20 children reside on campus, with capacity to accommodate up to 30 children.
The campus includes a shared dining hall, common living areas within each home, an administrative office, and additional rooms reserved for visiting volunteers. Daily life is organised around routine, responsibility, and community living, helping children grow in a secure and supportive setting. All meals are planned monthly to ensure balanced nutrition, including vegetables, grains, eggs, fish and milk, with meat served every Sunday. Alongside physical care, spiritual life is an important part of the home. Children are baptised, participate in daily prayers three times a day, and regularly attend outreach meetings and Bible study sessions.
Living Waters is planning to establish a Vocational Training Institute shaped by the practical needs of communities in Mwanza. Studies on vocational education in the country show a clear gap between training and employment. A large number of young people enter the job market each year, but only a small proportion find formal employment, while most rely on informal work without training.
In recent years, the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) in Tanzania, under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has offered a wide range of vocational training, categorized into 13 main occupational areas. aimed at improving employability. While this is a positive step, access to such training remains limited, especially at the community level. There is a clear need for centres that can deliver these courses in a structured, practical, and affordable way.
Meet the people who lead and support the daily work at Living Waters. Our team brings together teachers, caregivers, and staff who work consistently across education, care, and community programs, each contributing to the steady running of the organisation.
Keeping your community clean and green, one pickup at a time for a healthier tomorrow for a clean earth & clear future.
Keeping your community clean and green, one pickup at a time for a healthier tomorrow for a clean earth & clear future.
