Thirteen years ago, Letty McMaster set off for Tanzania at the age of 18 after completing her A-levels, initiating a gap year volunteer journey. Initially planning to assist at an orphanage for a month before continuing her global travels, Letty’s plans shifted when the orphanage closed down, leaving nine children in limbo. Taking action, Letty, then 22, stepped in as their legal guardian, securing a house through a £4,000 fundraising effort, and ensuring their safety with hired staff.
Now 32, Letty is the visionary behind Street Children Iringa, a charity aiding more than 100 vulnerable youths annually. Her volunteer stint blossomed into a decade-long crusade against a flawed system that left numerous children homeless on the streets.
Upon her arrival in Iringa, Letty discovered the disturbing reality behind the orphanage facade. She denounced the exploitative “orphanage tourism,” exposing how children were objectified for photo ops by well-intentioned visitors, perpetuating their dire circumstances. Letty spent three years rectifying the situation, learning Swahili to connect with the children and forging deep bonds.
In 2016, the orphanage’s closure due to abuse presented Letty with a pivotal choice. Refusing to abandon the children, she navigated the Tanzanian legal maze to become the legal guardian of nine kids aged 10 to 16, transforming a rented house into a loving sanctuary for them.
The children, now flourishing adults, owe their success to Letty’s unwavering support. In 2019, she unveiled The Safe House, offering refuge and rehabilitation to at-risk individuals, providing essentials like meals and hygiene facilities.
Letty’s mission extends beyond her original charges, with plans to assist young mothers and abandoned infants. Balancing her time between the UK and Tanzania, Letty focuses on fundraising to sustain her initiatives, acknowledging the perpetual financial struggle.
Despite missing out on a conventional youth, Letty remains resolute in her mission, cherishing the profound familial bonds she has nurtured. Her dedication has transformed lives, turning adversity into opportunity for the vulnerable in Iringa.