Every week in the village of Izazi, in Tanzania's Iringa region, a group of women gathers to share experiences that are often marked by isolation, hardship and resilience. All of them are mothers of children living with disabilities.
The group began meeting through the efforts of Paulina, a Maasai woman from the region who lives with a physical disability herself. Drawing on years of personal experience and practical knowledge of physiotherapy and massage, she regularly travels to Izazi as a volunteer to help children with mobility and developmental challenges.
For many of the mothers, daily life is shaped by significant obstacles. Employment opportunities are limited because caring responsibilities often require them to remain at home. Access to education can also be difficult, as schools are frequently unable to accommodate children with disabilities. At the same time, families often face social stigma and misconceptions surrounding disability.
What started as informal meetings has gradually evolved into a support network. The women exchange advice, discuss their children's needs and encourage one another through shared experiences. Together they are working to create new forms of economic independence and mutual support.
Their next goal is ambitious but practical: establishing a community financial fund through mobile banking services and developing a small handicraft business. By producing and selling handmade goods in nearby towns, they hope to generate income that can support both the collective fund and the needs of their children.
Hanna Eichner's photographs document not only the challenges faced by these families but also the solidarity, determination and optimism that drive their efforts to build a more inclusive future for the next generation.
