Drive south from Arusha in north Tanzania for about fours hours (you calculate travel in terms of time rather than distance in many parts of east Africa). Then climb for another four hours into the hills above the small town of Babati, along pot-holed dirt roads winding through spectacular scenery, and you arrive at Siuyu, about 30 minutes from Singida, the main town in this area.

Another ten minutes from the big tree near the Siuyu crossroads and you come to a cluster of buildings: a school, a church, several houses and a new construction with eye-catching murals of wild and domestic animals along its cream-painted walls. Here an iron gate opens into a peaceful courtyard where grass has been sown and pepper-tree saplings have been lovingly planted. Around the four sides of the courtyard are rooms and living accommodation for about 48 children.

Even before the car stops kids arrive from all sides. There is a buzz of action and laughter, a crowd of happy faces. This huge welcome is all the more remarkable because each child here has a physical or mental disability. Some haven