Some of Mr Maeda’s friends and family members pose for a group photograph with children at Nkoaranga Orphanage Centre after the cake-cutting ceremony.
BY THE ARUSHA NEWS REPORTER
Arusha businessman and philanthropist, Mr Walter Maeda, celebrated his 72nd birthday with 27 children at Nkoaranga Orphanage Centre on October 3, 2026 – encouraging Tanzanians to use personal celebrations to support those in need.
Accompanied by his family and friends, Mr Maeda visited the centre in Tengeru on the outskirts of Arusha, where the children blew up balloons, played football and enjoyed games with the visitors. The celebration included sharing a birthday cake and planting fruit trees.
“As we celebrate another year of life, let us also think about whose life we can make better,” Mr Maeda said.
He said spending his birthday with the children had brought him immense happiness and urged others to devote more of their celebration budgets to causes that support people in need.
Birthdays and other milestones, he said, offered an opportunity to spread joy beyond family and friends while making a meaningful contribution to the wider community.
His family took part in the activities and supported his call to make giving part of personal celebrations.
The centre’s matron, Ms Anna Akyoo, welcomed the gesture, saying such occasions brought joy to children in care.
“Sometimes, so much is spent on celebrations at expensive venues, yet less than a third of that amount could touch the hearts of these children,” she said.
Ms Anna thanked Maeda family for remembering the children and encouraged others to follow their example.
Through games, shared cake and tree planting, Mr Maeda and his family turned a personal milestone into a joyful occasion for the children.
