Welcome to SATF

TIKVAH HOMES COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROJECT SCALES UP

In 2009, SATF in collaboration with TIKVAH HOMES provided a revolving scheme loan of pigs and goats initially targeting 17 MVC caregivers in Ihumwa village, Dodoma Municipal with the aim of empowering them to support MVC access basic needs such as education, food, shelter and health care. Through community participation, the program witnessed great enthusiasm and positive saving ideas that allowed flexibility which in turn permitted addition of more beneficiaries from 17 to 32. While 21 MVC Caregivers kicked off with piggery project, the other 12 focused on goats keeping. To date 2 more beneficiaries in the first round have received piglets to keep following delivery and pass over of 2 first breed piglets to each beneficiary there by increasing the number of beneficiaries from 32 to 34. Many beneficiaries are expecting deliveries of their live stocks in the next few months and the stake is more promising. The confidence is high not only because beneficiaries received the loan, but also SATF had provided Funds for training on live stocks, provide regular vaccination and purchases of a bicycle for support worker to ensure smooth running of the project. The training was facilitated by community based Extension Officer.

Peris Manali, in a pose with her children. She is one of MVC caregivers who has managed to pass over 2 piglets of the first offspring to another beneficiary.

Right: Mr. Boniface Chiswagala (middle) showing his goat’s shed to TIKVAH’s field officer Miss Esther Kimambo (In black blouse) during monitoring visit at Ihumwa village in July 2010.

SUCCESS STORIES-“CARE GIVERS COMMUNITY EMPOWERNMENT PROJECT IN SONGEA”

Contrary to popular beliefs that older women are ineffective, dependent, and passive, Bibi Elizabeth Sanga would go extra mile to prove this negative stereotype wrong. Being the head of the house at the age of 71, Bi Sanga takes care of 6 MVC living in Njegea hamlet of Madaba village, in Mahanje ward, Songea. After receiving revolving loan from SATF through PADI an Implementing Partner in Ruvuma Region she started piggery project. With great enthusiasm and to the surprise of the neighbors Bi Sanga managed to raise the stock, sold 4 piglets during phase one offspring and used the earning to support her children in education, run errands and maintain economic independence, Speaking on her own words Bi Sanga said:

“I owned 5 pigs in phase one valuing over TZS 150, 000, I sold 4 piglets and used the money to repay loan, provide for other necessary household amenities and purchases of scholastic materials. To date I own 7 pigs valuing over TZS 200, 000. At the same time I have enough pig manure used in vegetable and maize production. Because I can manage the project, I hope that soon I will be having twice this number of pigs I have today. We real thank the effort of our donor (SATF) which has empowered MVC care givers”.

Bibi Sanga feeding her pigs at Madaba village in Songea rural District.

Bi Sanga, standing proudly before her piggery pen, The project has been a success since its launching in 2009.

Mr. Mlelwa, a 63 years resident of Madaba Village is happy now, Only two years ago he felt his life was treating him badly, he thought he could not do anything worthwhile that could help him get an income to support his children. In 2009, he received a loan from SATF though implementing partner PADI which empowered him to run piggery project. He is now earning income from selling piglets and has managed to support 4 MVC, two in secondary school and two in colleges. With the aim of building his children’s economic and life skills, Mr Mlelwa distributed his 4 piglets he got in phase one offspring to his four children assigning each one to be responsible for taking care of respective piglets while learning how to take care of them. He plans to convene another family meeting to discuss how the other 6 piglets he got in phase two offspringwill be distributed or sold.
“My plan is to see each of my MVC have his/her own pigs which will help them to get money for their studies. We thank our donor for the support”, he concluded.

Irene Mgina and Agrey Mgina (twins,) form three MVC students at Madaba Secondary School in a piggery pen. They own the pigs and are responsible for feeding them assisted by their care givers.

Bibi Salome Mwenda standing before her pig. The pig is expected to deliver in 1 month. At the moment Bi Mwenda takes care of 3 MVC.

Mr Isdory Mlimila (70) is among MVC care givers in Madaba village benefiting from SATF support under Community Empowerment Support. He is caring 5 MVC. In 2009, he got a loan from SATF for Pig production and gardening. He has managed to keep pigs and gardening which has not only increased his confidence but also increased income, now he can afford educational materials support for the MVC and caring in the household, He says:-
“The loan has enabled me to pursue two things which was not possible before the support. At my age it was not possible to cultivate a larger piece of land on my own. I only managed to cultivate 2 acres of beans by involving the family. But after receiving the loan I have managed to cultivate 3.5 acres by hiring casual labor and I still expect to harvest more than what I used to get”

Mr. Isdory Mlimila at his beans farm in Madaba village, Songea

MVC ISSUES-A NEW PERSPECTIVE
(As reported by MKUKI, Moshi)

The increase in the numbers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Tanzania is getting worse day after day. This public concern needs commitment and immediate action in caring, supporting and integrating these children into their communities. In view of the aforesaid , MKUKI, together with other NGOs supporting MVC attended a two weeks training on PSS in Dar Es salaam in June 2009 and eventually visited Nshamba village in Muleba district Kagera region to learn how HUMULIZA as one of the MVC psychosocial support care Organization runs their Vijana Simama Imara(VSI) program. This training was sponsored by SATF, became an eye opener to SATF partner NGO’s including MKUKI staff who started farming activities as part of their efforts in replicating VSI model in Moshi Rural District.

One of SATF’s VSI members under MKUKI Organization presenting to plenary the group discussion feedback during a three days VSI training on life skills, reproductive health, adolescent health and HIV/AIDS at HIMO in Moshi District Council. The training was conducted in January 2010 at MKUKI Vocational training centre hall at Himo, Moshi.

VSI members in a group discussion during VSI training in life skills and farming activity organized by MKUKI, The project aims at imparting MVC with skills that would equip them into becoming social actors in the community. MKUKI is SATF partner NGO facilitating the implementation of VSI project in Moshi District Council.

Initially MKUKI started the project by identifying 20 MVC between the ages of 13 to 18 from three wards, followed by a one day sensitization meeting with the respective ward leaders in Moshi District council. Thereafter MKUKI conducted a three days training to 20 VSI members, to enable them to practice sustainable farming projects within their clusters to feed their families and sell the surplus to earn money for the VSI bank. The main objectives of the training were to equip 20 VSI members with knowledge and skills in farming with special emphasis on irrigation during drought, to impart knowledge on life skills including reproductive health, adolescent health and HIV/AIDS, to familiarize VSI members with basic knowledge on local banking and microfinance management and to facilitate and supervise election of VSI leaders according to already formed clusters (Chapakazi, Hatudeki, Mmbongo and Vijana Shupavu)

A cross section of VSI members during VSI training on life skills and farming activities conducted in January 2010 by MKUKI Organization in Moshi district Council

VSI members at MKUKI Organization in a pose shortly after receiving farming inputs from MKUKI Organization following a 3 days training on farming skills and life skills conducted by MKUKI at HIMO.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROJECT OFFERS SUPPORT TO ELDERLY CAREGIVERS FOR MVC

151 care givers from Madaba and Lilondo villages in Songea Rural district received loans to support their income generating activities which will in turn support their most vulnerable children under their care in a sustainable manner.
The project is operated in a revolving fund model i.e. Repaying the loan and make savings out of the projects this will enable the beneficiaries to acquire much huge sums of loan in the future.

Bibi Vermunda Kipela is living at Lilondo village, she used the loan to establish piggery project and part of it to cultivate beans farm. She is taking care of 3 MVC who are in primary school.

Lestuta Mtundu is living at Lilondo village, she was supported with a loan from SATF Community Empowerment program to support a piggery project as her Income generating activity with the future prospect of supporting her 4 dependants who are in primary school.

108 MVC FROM ILALA DISTRICT SUPPORTED WITH SCHOLASTIC MATERIALS THROUGH SATF GRANT YEAR 2010.

In August 2010, SATF attended first distribution ceremony of scholastic materials for 2010 grant cycle, which was conducted by her IP from Kitunda in Ilala District “Liberty Care Centres”(LCC). The distribution took place at LCC venue. SATF had disbursed to LCC a total of TZS 13.4mil= as grant to support Most Vulnerable Children (MVC) in education. Total number of 108 MVC students from Primary and Secondary schools received scholastic materials.
The distribution exercise was officiated by Kitunda Ward Community Development Officer Ms Tekla John. The ceremony was attended by guardians, teachers and representatives from LCC.

MVC who benefited from this support are those from - Kilimani, Jitihada, Kipunguni and Kezerange primary schools and Kitunda, Kerezange, Misitu and Kivule secondary schools.

Ms Tekla John, Community Development Officer handling scholastic materials to one of the MVC to mark the opening of distribution exercise at Liberty Care Centres, Ilala,Dar es salaam

(Posted by our grantee: MKUKI from Moshi)
When MKUKI a non government Organization dealing with support to MVC initiated VSI project to assist MVC into becoming social actors at Moshi district Council, very few people believed on what these MVC could actually do. However what these VSI members identifying themselves as HATUDEKI (I.e. we are not mollycoddles) cluster has left many flabbergasted with the progress made.

This group of VSI MKUKI students signed an agreement of working together on seasonal farming in 2010, to grow maize for food and sale the rest to get money for their needs.

Unfortunately on starting working together in a group of five, two among them started reporting sick every meeting day and eventually dropped out from the group.

Two months later another one started to excuse himself for other duties in his family, and there after remained only two VSI students, Mr.Elibariki G. Mchau and Mr. Livin P. Lyimo who worked hard together in a farm of ¼ an acre, and managed to harvest 3 bags of maize.

Colleagues at MKUKI VTC assisting 2 HATUDEKI cluster VSI members (in red) removing maize from the cobs after harvesting

Both of these VSI students are in 2nd year at MKUKI VTC motor vehicle repairing.
They are very happy with SATF/MKUKI to introduce VSI to them. They parents/guardians too have been happy and supportive with VSI program and allowed them to sale all their maize and chose what they wanted to do with the money. Surprisingly they chose to use their money to pay for their college fees at VETA next year 2011.

During their conversation with MKUKI, they also commented about what changes MKUKI VTC could do in order to improve and attract more students to join them. They said: ‘on giving VTC training to youth, MKUKI should provide DRIVING, FARMING and COOKERY as a compulsory subjects’ they further said,’’ These three subjects are marketable to youth’’

Elibariki & Livin are very anxious to go for further studies, and wish VSI to continue under support from SATF/MKUKI for their future benefits and whoever will join MKUKI VTC next year.

Livin’s parents are living under vulnerable condition. Elibariki is the only child to his mother who died on road accident in 2007 and he is currently staying with his grandmother. His father abandoned him and like Livin, has been supported by SATF with school fees and other scholastic materials from his first year at MUKUKI VTC in 2009.

Mbongo cluster VSI members posing at their farm before harvesting of their maize. Standing from right is Getruda Pius, Getrudi Pius, Yasin Sadick and Innocent J Temba (squatting)

Mama Fulgensia Mwenda is living at Madaba village; through loan from SATF, she started livestock rearing as her income generating activity in which she purchased 2 piglets and 3 hens. In February 2010, she sold the pig and used the money to pay school fees and other contributions for her children. Fulgencia has 5 children, 2 are in Secondary school and 2 are in primary school and 1 is a nursery pupil.

Bibi Elizabeth Sanga(in blue t-shirt) is living at Madaba village; she was supported with a loan form SATF and purchased a pregnant pig of which she got 4 piglets after fallowing. Mama Sanga sold the piglets and used the money to pay for school fees and other contribution for her 2 granddaughters.

SATF’s beneficiary Noah John at Oloki Vocational Training Centre in Arumeru District Council demonstrating his skills in carpentry during SATF Education monitoring visit with KIDI organization in the northern zone , April 2010.

EDUCATION SUPPORT TO MVC AT MKURANGA, COAST

SATF has supported 288 MVC from Mkuranga District with scholastic materials and school uniforms. The support has been made possible through USHIVIMWA, an implementing partner in Mkuranga District in Coastal Region. USHIVIMWA was awarded a grant of TZS 16mil in year 2009 to implement MVC Education program.

Mr. Mohamed Mbonde USHIVIMWA Chairperson taking information from MVC assisted by a school teacher before distribution activity at Kipara primary school in Mkuranga District.

MVC from Mwamlemi Primary school in Mkuranga District putting on their new shoes after the distributions.

MVC EDUCATION PROGRAM- MARCH 2010

We had an opportunity of conducting monitoring visits to 3 implementing partners operating in Dodoma Municipal in March 2010.
Our partner NGOs operating in Dodoma Municipal are;TIKVAH HOMES , Free Pentecostal Church (FPCT) from Chamwino and , Huruma Women Group (HWG) a CBO from Mihuji ward. The 3 IPs have provided support to 148 MVC located in Dodoma Municipal. During the monitoring visit, SATF staff also attended the distribution ceremonies conducted by the respective IPs in Dodoma Municipal.

Ms. Deodatus Mtanga, Community Development Officer at Chamwino Ward, expressing her vote of thanks to SATF and FPCT for supporting MVC, during distribution of scholastic materials conducted in Dodoma by FPCT.

Headmaster from Hombolo Secondary School, Mr. Pausian, addressing beneficiaries who got support during distribution of scholastic materials. The distribution was conducted by Huruma Women Group.

LIBERTY CARE CENTRES SUPPORTS 72 MVC - KITUNDA DAR-ES SALAAM.

72 MVC from Kitunda Ward have been supported by Liberty Care Centres (LCC). The distribution event took place on 25th February 2010 at LCC offices in Kitunda ,Ukonga. The 72 MVC represented 5 primary schools, namely Kilimani, Kerezange, Kitunda, Jitihada and Kipunguni. The Scholastic materials distributed to 72 MVC include shorts/skirts and shirts, pairs of socks, t-shirts, text books,ball pens and pencils

A cross section of MVC during the distribution ceremony which was held at LCC offices.

LCC director, Mr. Stephen Ovio giving his words of wisdom to MVC who were supported with scholastic materials.

DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY IN IRINGA REGION IN JANUARY 2010

SATF attended distribution ceremony of scholastic materials which was conducted by GROWOYODA in Njombe, Iringa. The distribution was conducted from 21st to 22nd January. 117 MVC students from Primary and Secondary schools were supported with scholastic materials including uniforms, sweaters and shoes. The distribution ceremony was also attended by MVC caregivers.

Fred Mtundu a Form I student at Mpechi Secondary School holding his uniforms ‘’ He says, “I am very happy for this support because am staying with my guardian who is having a lot of burdens, at our home we are 6 family members, 4 of them are children of my guardian while me and my young sister we are family members, we normally face inadequate social services such as food, school uniforms and casual clothes by this support I feel very comfortable and enjoyable’’

MVC from Mbeyela Secondary School with smiling faces holding their scholastic materials.

Mabatini Secondary MVC students with their school adviser in front posing for a group photograph during distribution ceremony which was held at GROWOYODA offices.

DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOLASTIC MATERIALS IN MTWARA REGION BY MEDI

In 2009, MEDI received a total grant of TZS 17,000,000.00 from SATF which will support a total number of 229 MVC (118 MVC in Secondary School, 98 MVC in Primary School and 13 MVC in Vocational Training Education.

On 6th November, 2009 MEDI did distribution of scholastic materials to MVC for the funds which they received as first installment from SATF amounting to TZS 10,730,500.00. The 1st installment has supported 108 MVC in Secondary Schools and 40 MVC in Primary Schools.

The Distribution ceremony was held at Saba Saba Secondary School in Mtwara Town and was officiated by the Mr. J.M. Mbwillo (Mtwara District Commissioner).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Mbwillo thanked SATF for the support in Mtwara Region and made an appeal for more support because there is a big number of MVC who are in need of support in the region. Mr. Mbwillo also reminded MEDI to ensure that the support reaches the targeted group (MVC) and not otherwise.

The event was also witnessed by other stakeholders including MVC guardians, Primary and Secondary School teachers and Ward Leaders.

DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY IN DODOMA REGION

In 2009 SATF has set aside a total of TZS 46 million as grants to support Most Vulnerable Children (MVC) in education in Dodoma region. This grant is part of the TZS 400 mil which was approved for year 2009.The current support will reach 321 MVC in Primary schools, 367 MVC in Secondary Schools and 28 in Vocational Training in Dodoma region. SATF works in collaboration with TIKVAH HOME, FPCT Chamwino, Huruma Women Group and Adopt Africa as its Implementing partners in Dodoma region. In Dodoma the support will cover 6 wards namely; Chamwino, Miyuji, Viwandani, Makutopora, Mpunguzi and Hombolo Makulu.

Ward Councilor for Hombolo Makulu Mr. Simon Chibehe giving scholastic materials to one of SATF beneficiary during the scholastic materials distribution ceremony. The ceremony was held on 20th November 2009 at Hombolo Makulu area. Left from Councilor is SATF Program Officer Mr. Shukuru Musabila who witnessed the distributions.

SATF EMPOWERS MVC CAREGIVERS AND CHILDREN HEAD OF HOUSEHOLDS

From 2009 SATF introduced a number of new projects; among others are “Community Empowerment projects”. SATF’s Community Empowerment projects aim at empowering Caregivers and Child Head of Households to start their own income generating projects which will in turn help them to support Most Vulnerable Children (MVC) in a sustainable manner. In implementing this type of project, SATF in collaboration with Karagwe Development Association (KARADEA) provided goats and hens in form of loan to 30 MVC Caregivers who will support 160 MVC in Karagwe District. Each beneficiary was given a loan of 2 goats and 5 hens; furthermore SATF provided funds to assist the beneficiaries to construct livestock sheds and provided entrepreneurship skills training.
In order to ensure that this project is sustainable, beneficiaries were facilitated to formulate groups of 3 to 6 people. Seven groups were formed by beneficiaries; these are Tupendane Kituntu, Tuinuane Ihanda, Juhudi Nsheshe, Umoja, Tuinuane Katanda, Tweyambe Kishojo and Azimio Keishenyanga. Each group has its leadership which will oversee progress of their respective groups. In addition, each beneficiary is obliged to return 1 goat and 2 hens after a year this will enable other Caregivers to benefit from the project. Beneficiaries were also encouraged to keep records of their projects and savings from their proceeds. The project is expected to scale up and to reach 15 more beneficiaries after one year.

Some of beneficiaries who were supported with livestocks under SATF Community Empowerment Project in Kihanga ward, Karagwe