Late in 2016 East Africa River Mission finished construction of a playground in a Rufiji District village called ‘Mloka’. Mloka is last village at the end of a 100km bush road, the Final Outpost before the Great Selous Game Reserve, and where Baker & Sons Safari Company operates on the edge of the River Rufiji. With a population of 4000+ villagers, and dust streets full of children, the playground attracts little boys and girls throughout Mloka. There is nothing like it for 100kms! Scores of children cycle up the structure’s steps and down the slide, 3 kids at a time swing on one swing. In a region of relative poverty, kids can be kids.

2016 was also the unofficial opening of EastARM’s Rufiji Lighthouse English School for the village of Mloka. Between the school and the playground, the neighbouring children where Baker & Sons Safari have established themselves are given an opportunity to learn and play and grow.