A percussionist laying down some African-style beats welcomed ball-goers into the function room, where Tanzanian-inspired paintings lined the walls. 

The occasion was Care for Africa foundation's major fundraising event and 10-year celebration - a cocktail ball aiming to raise $50,000 to purchase deep-water wells for the poverty-stricken Tanzanian district of Tarime.

Care for Africa chief executive Diana Butler was joined at the event by chairman Joe Tempone and a first-time visitor from Tanzania - the organisation's country manager Abdallah Obedi.

``Tonight is a celebration of the work that we've been doing," Mrs Butler said.

``It's creating an awareness within our community here in Tasmania, it’s for myself and the people of Tarime to thank the people here, but also to raise more money and more awareness because the need is overwhelming." 

The Launceston-based charity has grown significantly in its 10 years of service, expanding its operations into the mainland as it continues to make an impact in Tanzania.

It has already installed wells in each of the six communities in which it operates and has set it sights on contributing to many of the 70 wells still required to meet UN guidelines in the area.

Mrs Butler said seeing women and children walking eight kilometres over rough terrain every day only to collect dirty drinking water had inspired her to establish the organisation.

``I remember when I went over there the first time and I just saw these people, and they were desperate for help. 

``There was no-one in there that was helping them and I said I could help but I thought ``how can I help them?"."

Care for Africa will send two groups of 30 volunteers to Tanzania later this year, comprising of health care workers, builders, teachers and gap year students.

Together, the group will run health clinics, build a small school and run social enterprise programs in an effort to add to the 16,000 Tanzanians who have already directly benefited from the charity's assistance.

Mrs Butler said while Tarime’s population of 340,000 meant there was still a long way to go, knowing her charity had helped improve the lives of 16,000 people living in poverty was an amazing achievement.

``My driving force is to see people in poverty and know that we have the capacity to help them - that's why the organisation is getting bigger.

``If we don't help them there is no-one and we are so effective at the work that we're doing."