KIGOMA

JOINT PROGRAMME SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2020 port, we have been able to operation-

ISSUE) INTRODUCTION BY THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR alize the programme and empower th

(5 communities in . The igoma Joint Programme has con- nities, refugees and migrants in the total budget of the programme (all Ktinued to compliment implemen- region. 7 themes) is about USD 63million of tation of the United Nations Develop- which about USD 30.6million has been ment Assistance Plan II (UNDAP II) at Since the last issue of the Voices From funded/committed so far. We still have sub national level by supporting devel- the Field, in March 2018, the pro- a funding gap of USD 32.4 million and opmental initiatives of Kigoma Region. gramme has achieved remarkable we welcome continued support from This second special edition of Voices progress in the field. I commend all the our current and other partners. VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES From the Field provides key highlights stakeholders involved in the implemen- of UN’s work in Kigoma and specifically tation of this joint programme as well I also thank the government of the brings out the voices of the host com- as Kigoma’s regional and local author- United Republic of for their munities we are working with to imple- ities for their efforts on ensuring that sustained partnership and we remain ment the Global Goals and local devel- the interventions can positively con- committed to continuing working opment priorities. tribute to the improvement of the lives closely with them and all stakeholders of the communities in Kigoma. to ensure that no one is left behind as The programme which was launched in we jointly implement the Sustainable September 2017 has brought together I would also like express my sincere Development Goals at sub-national UN Tanzania, the Government of Tan- gratitude to the Governments of Nor- level. zania, private Sector and local com- way, Ireland, Sweden and the Korea munities to apply a comprehensive International Cooperation Agency Zlatan Milišić United Nations Resident approach in addressing a wide range (KOICA) who are currently funding the Coordinator in Tanzania of issues facing both the host commu- programme. With their generous sup-

Violence Against Women and Children ABOUT THE PROGRAMME (VAWC); Empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Women through Education; he Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP) is gramme comprises of 17 UN agen- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Tan area-based UN joint programme cies working across seven outcomes and Agriculture with a Focus on Devel- that cuts across multiple sectors to which are Sustainable Energy and oping Local Markets and Health + 1 improve development and human Environment (SEE); Youth and Wom- (Health, HIV and Nutrition). security in the Kigoma region. The Pro- en’s Economic Empowerment (YWEE); Continues on page 2 Continued from page 1 tions to achieve common outcomes

Kigoma region has been one of the that reduce risks and vulnerabilities, KJP also builds on existing national ISSUE) th poorest regions in the country and it and contributes to a future in which programmes and lessons from other (5 carries the burden of a protracted ref- no one is left behind. The humanitar- sub-national interventions. To the ugee situation, hosting over 250,000 ian-development nexus is supported extent possible, KJP builds on national refugees and asylum-seekers from by linking together the UN’s existing initiatives, such as National Plan of and the Democratic Republic response to refugees and migrants Action to End Violence Against Women of Congo (DRC). KJP applies a compre- with an increased focus on developing and Children (NPA-VAWC), National hensive approach to address a wide the host communities. Economic Empowerment Policy and range of issues facing both the refu- The programme mainly focuses on Act, Agricultural Sector Development FROM THE FIELD VOICES gees and migrants in the region as well three districts namely , Kibondo Plan II (ASDP 2), and National Water as the surrounding host communities. and Kakonko currently hosting refugee Sector Development Programme By supporting both, the host popula- camps although some interventions (WSDP). Under the Joint Programme, tion and refugees and migrants, the are also being carried out in other dis- UN Tanzania provides a more strategic programme forms part of the New tricts including Kigoma, and and coordinated response to the devel- Way of Working (NWOW), focusing on Buhigwe. opment priorities in the region joint analysis, planning and interven-

SEE Health + YWEE

Agriculture VAWC

WASH Education 2 ISSUE) VILLAGE CHICKENS VACCINATION BOOSTS FARMERS’ NUTRITION AND INCOME th (5 that action had to be taken to curb the high mortality rate which is estimated at forty-three (43) percent each year. Reported cases of mortality have at times been caused by the tendency of farmers vaccinating their chicken with

VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES Lasota Vaccine, which requires cold storage throughout use and mostly contain a minimum dose of 1,000 chicks per vial. This contrasting with the I-2 Vaccine promoted under the vaccination programme, which is sta- ble at room temperature and can eas- ily be used from one community to the next.

According to the A participant gives a vaccination against Newcastle disease to a chicken using a I-2 Vaccine in Kakonko Council Livestock Officer, Mr. Revelian a FAO training. Rushehela, more than 70,000 local chickens are currently being reared in My chickens will no longer die from to brooding stage which were all vac- the district, providing countless oppor- Katilo, thanks to the support pro- cinated during the first phase of the “ tunities for trade with neighbouring vided by the Kigoma Joint Programme Newcastle Disease Vaccination pro- districts and across the border, to meet in bringing the vaccination services gramme in 2019. the high demand for consumption. closer to us”. This was said by Mr. Matayo Alberto, a poultry keeper and With Newcastle Disease (locally The district received 70,000 doses of farmer from Nyamtukuza Ward in referred to as “Katilo” in the Ha lan- I-2 master seed vaccine in support of Kakonko District in Kigoma region. The guage) identified as one of the ram- a sustainable Newcastle Disease (NCD) results were realized after having man- pant contagious diseases affecting 3 vaccination programme and were able aged to keep forty-three (43) chickens poultry in the District, it was eminent Continues on page 4 Continued from page 3 chicks, the rest would be discarded to vaccinate around 92 percent of the if you have less chicks.” According to “My chickens will no longer die from ISSUE) th

targeted chicks. This was achievable him, the distance and inability to store (5 Katilo, thanks to the support through the knowledge gained by 20 the vaccine, as well as associated costs Field Extension Officers and thirty (30) was discouraging them from vaccinat- provided by the Kigoma Joint community vaccinators during the ing their chickens regularly. “Under the Programme in bringing the Training of Trainers workshop con- current programme, we are spending vaccination services closer to us”. ducted by Food and Agriculture Orga- only one hundred shillings per a chick nization (FAO) in January 2019 through and have also been educated on how the UN’s Kigoma Joint Programme to control worms,” he disclosed. Ms. Mr. Matayo Alberto VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES whose agriculture component is imple- Suzana John, a trained Community Poultry Farmer mented by FAO, WFP, ITC and UNCDF. Vaccinator on Good Animal Husbandry and the Newcastle Diseases control “We are now certain of raising more techniques, was equipped with tools to whereby weekly markets are held chicken to maturity since the mortal- facilitate her work. “I can vaccinate up (Muhange and Malenga Market), to ity rate has been reduced through use to one hundred chicks per day through ensure chickens are vaccinated prior of vaccinations which prevent Katilo. conducting house-to-house visits in to entering the country. Our community vaccinator lives in our my village” she explained. Most of the village and whenever new chicks are farmers own mobile phones which Mr. James Rulelekana, a Commu- hatched, we just give him a call to come enable them to call when in need of my nity Vaccinator of Kabare village in and vaccinate our chicks,” acknowl- services, she added. Gwarama Ward (thirty-six kilometers edged Deogratias Semagongwa, a from Kakonko), collaborated with the poultry keeper from Muhange Ward. With adherence to the vaccination cal- Village Chairperson of the hamlet to endar and use of funds accrued from mobilize farmers in need of the NCD “It is a big saving,” said Tunguru the master seed, the District Coun- vaccine. The message was conveyed to Busongye from Nyamtukuza Ward cil has been able to conduct a second the community days before campaign adding: “We used to travel 60 kilome- phase of vaccination campaign. To and feedback provided to the commu- ters from this village to Kakonko to buy date, twenty-five thousand (25,000) nity vaccinator. vaccines. Transport would cost twenty chicks have been vaccinated under thousand shillings plus ten thousand the ongoing campaign. The District Based on the agreed terms set by the for the vaccines. That vaccine was only Livestock Officer also insisted that a District, each poultry keeper is required valid for single use on one thousand strategy is in place at the border points to pay one hundred shillings per chick 4

Continues on page 5 Continued from page 4 tion programmes in the Districts have Ambassador to Tanzania, expressed

ISSUE) /chicken for the service. From these provided a nice boost to the incomes her desire to see a sustainable vaccina- th

(5 funds, thirty-five shillings is returned of community members, through sell- tion programme thriving in Kakonko, to the District to purchase more vac- ing eggs and chicken, which is among as well as other districts of the region. cines and the remaining sixty-five shil- the fundamental focuses of Kigoma This dream has become a reality in lingsis given to the vaccinator as an Joint Programme which attempts to Kakonko District and is one that can be incentive (mainly to cover time and improve the wellbeing of the people in emulated in other parts of the coun- costs incurred by the individual). the region. try, so the impact from raising healthy poultry can be realized by communities Beneficiaries are now assured of gain- During the launch of the Vaccination in contributing to increased household VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES ing nutritional benefits of eating eggs Campaign in 2019, Her Excellency income, food security and nutrition. and chickens. Also, chickens vaccina- Madam Elisabeth Jacobsen, Norwegian

AZIMIA WOMEN’S GROUP YES, WE CAN! HOW 16 WOMEN SCALED UP THEIR AGRI-BUSINESS IN KIBONDO hat can business skills training, Wsupport and ongoing mentor- ship do for small scale business own- ers in Tanzania? The 16 members of the Azimia Vicoba Women’s Group from Kibondo in Kigoma will tell you it can do a lot.

Prior to being supported by the In- ternational Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Kigo- ma Joint Programme under the Youth and Women Economic Empowerment

Azimia group chair, Penina Gota (left), with her team at their new agro-processing facility. The ladies are (YWEE) 5 proud to have led the construction process of all their facilities

Continues on page 6 Continued from page 5

component, Azimia Vicoba functioned ISSUE) th

as a money savings and lending group. (5

While it was relatively effective in allowing the women to access small loans to support their households and small businesses, the women wanted to expand as a collective enterprise. VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES The group started work on a fish farm- ing project in 2017 which failed to materialise due to flooding and lack of funding. Disappointed but choosing to persevere, the women diversified into poultry farming and other agricultural A member of the Azimia Group shows her group’s chicken coup which is part of their successful mixed farming initiative in . activities while looking for funding for their fish farming project. It wasn’t long investments including the purchase the YWEE component. The group was until they were selected by their Local of maize processing and milling able to repopulate their pond with Government Authority to apply for machines, construction of the machine 1,400 fish who have since bred for 11 support and after an assessment of the storage building and installation. months. “At the moment we have no groups eligibility, the group became way counting how many fish are in the one of the 12 other youth and women Mixed farming pond,” says Adivela Tandika, 40, who group enterprises to be supported by Since receiving both the business skills oversees produce sales. “We can esti- ILO and UNDP through grants and training and funding from the Joint Pro- mate that the number has at least dou- capacity development using the ILO gramme, the group has made strides in bled.” The group expects to start sell- Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) expanding its activities through mixed ing the fish in two months and have set programme coupled with continued farming. their price at Tsh 10,000 per fish. Since mentorship. receiving bookkeeping and business The group’s biggest farming initiative skills training the women have a keen Through the grants received from is fish farming which they re-launched eye on turning in a profit. “It cost us UNDP and ILO, the group has made in 2018 after being supported under Tsh 22,000 to feed the fish per month,” 6

Continues on page 7 Continued from page 6 facility.” I have received has made me a better

ISSUE) says the group accountant Betty John, farmer. I would like to thank the pro- th

(5 57, “we also pay about Tsh 100,000 per Transformed lives gramme for changing our lives.” Betty month for the two men we have hired Apart from being members of Azimia and her husband now have more than to guard our two plots of land and Women’s Group the 16 members run 100 chickens from an initial 20 before pond at night.” Estimating their costs, their own smallholder farming busi- she joined the programme. the group is confident they will be mak- nesses which they say have expanded ing a profit in the coming months from since they have applied the skills, they Looking to the future, the members of their fish farming business alone. received through training offered Azimia Women’s group are optimistic under the programme. “There has about expanding their mixed farming VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES Azimia Group also have a poultry been a huge increase in my green veg- business into a full-fledged small-scale farming business which allows them etable farming business. The capacity farming and processing enterprise. to sell chickens and eggs. They have development offered has taught me What they lacked in knowledge and previously sold 30 out of 67 chickens amongst others better ways to keep my skills as well as resources has largely and sell 30 to 40 eggs per week. The records, costing keeping, as well as cal- been compensated through the pro- income from eggs sales is often used culating my profits,” says Penina Gotta. gramme. However, most importantly to buy feed for the fish. Penina also adds that the responsibil- the women’s tenacity and ability to ity she has as the group chairperson work as a team has allowed them to set The group is currently finalising con- has allowed her to expand her skillset a firm foundation for future success. struction of their agricultural food pro- into various activities such as oversee- cessing facility and have invested their ing construction. She has supervised “This programme has transformed our funds into purchasing maize process- and budgeted for the group’s maize lives, we were clueless about running a ing machinery and building their pro- processing and office building which is business before. Now we are on a path cessing site and offices. “We looked in its final stages of construction. to running our own agricultural busi- around our village and saw that mem- ness,” says Adivela Tandika. bers of our community travel long Betty John, 57-year-old mother of four distances to other towns to clean and says her poultry farming business has “This programme has transformed our process their grain,” says group chair expanded since she has been part of lives, we were clueless about running a Penina Gota, 45. “We want to provide the programme support. She and her business before. Now we are on a path this service to our community, but husband now have more resources to to running our own agricultural eventually we also want to buy, pro- send their children to secondary school business”. 7 cess and package maize for sale at our and university. “The training and advice Adivela Tandika HOW YOUTH AND WOMEN ARE GROWING THEIR BUSINESS WITH SUPPORT FROM ISSUE)

THE KIGOMA JOINT PROGRAMME th (5 rior to be being supported under Pthe Kigoma Joint Programme (KJP) through the Youth and Women’s Eco- nomic Empowerment (YWEE) theme, the 289 women and youth beneficia- ries had very little access economic

knowledge and opportunities. For the FROM THE FIELD VOICES women of Twiyambe Women’s Group, an agricultural and events services enterprise, lack of access to knowledge and skills were the major obstacle to their personal and group empower- ment. Group member Hidaya Mkiti recalls life before receiving support under the programme: “I had no sense of direction and no confidence. As a The KJP has been the catalyst for the expansion of all the women and youth groups in the Kigoma region. wife and mother, didn’t know how to Beneficiaries like Twiyambe Women’s Group are part of 12 other women and youth groups who received enterprise training and financial support from the programme. manage my time to grow my business.” Although Hidaya was busy with small both financial and business develop- from the UNDP and ILO. The grants scale farming activities (green vegeta- ment support from the International were used to facilitate business invest- bles) like many of her fellow women in Labour Organization (ILO) in collabora- ments such as, purchase of honey pro- Kigoma, she was still largely reliant on tion with United Nations Development cessing machines and beehives, cas- her husband for her and her three chil- Programme (UNDP) through the KJP. sava processing machines, land and dren’s livelihoods. building materials for construction of ILO built the capacity of beneficiaries warehouses amongst others. Hidaya’s story represents the reality through the ILO Start and Improve for many group enterprises in Kigo- Your Business (SIYB) and Grow Your Small scale women led enterprises like ma. To date five women’s groups and Business (GYB) tools and the groups Hidaya’s Twiyambe Group and youth seven youth led groups have received have been linked with business grants 8

Continues on page 9 Continued from page 8

ISSUE) led enterprises like Msuaso Economic th

(5 Development Group which manufac- tures wine from banana have used the YWEE as an opportunity to strengthen and implement their small business ideas. For members of the Twiyambe Women’s Group, the funds were of immense help in expanding their rice farming and processing agri-business VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES as well as kick starting their event planning business. Upon receiving business development and financial management skills training the group used some of their funds to purchase a rice processing machine and a small warehouse to process their rice crops. The group also used a portion of their YWEE grant funds to purchase 2 acres of land where they are in the process Twiyambe Women’s Group members at their grain processing facility/warehouse which is being con- of constructing a large town hall and structed by funds received from UNDP and ILO through the Kigoma Joint Programme. group office building. The business hall, but it is only open for a few hours gramme is a continued source of skills skills training they received through and for certain events only. So, we acquisition and business upscaling. the YWEE component has sharpened decided to build a large and beauti- The group used their funds to send two their scope of thinking to other areas ful venue for people to rent out for all members to to receive training of opportunities. gatherings, weddings or workshops,” from a wine making expert specializing says group member Shukuru Katibu. in fermenting wine from ripe bananas. “When we were trying to host some The group also offers event catering The majority of funds were then used of our group gatherings and function, services for customers. to build the groups wine making ware- we saw there was a lack of venues for house including the construction of a meetings and social engagements in For the wine making group, Msuaso borehole for a more cost effective and 9 our town (Kakonko). There is a town Economic Development, the pro- sustainable source of water.

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Group founder Grace Mkumbo, says ISSUE) th

the decision to construct their own (5 water source is key to their future suc- cess: “After the training we received through the programme we sat down as a team and discussed the best way for us to cut costs and maximize our profits. The business management training really helped us to look care- VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES fully at our books to see which costs we can remove. We paid a lot of water bills as a drink manufacturing business, and we saw that if we want to keep growing, we will need to get a cheap source of water.” A member of the Msuaso Economic Development group demonstrating the process of fermenting wine from ripe bananas in the group’s temporary space. The group is in the process of constructing a large Change and Impact production and storage facility for their wine and other products. The YWEE component of the pro- gramme has had a positive impact in ties for self-employment. However, his increased access to finance and finan- the lives of its beneficiaries. Youth ben- lack of experience and business skills cial education. Furthermore, small- eficiaries like Mathew Katibu, 24 from held him back. After joining the group scale farmers like Hidaya also report the wine making Msuaso Economic and receiving financial and capacity an improvement in their own private Development group had little pros- building support, Mathew is now part small-scale business by applying the pects for employment after completing of an expanding enterprise. knowledge they attained through his high school education. He was also YWEE training. not able to attend university due to Catalyst for change his family’s financial constraints. After The YWEE programme has been the Empowered to grasp opportunities realising his dream of a higher educa- catalyst for the expansion of all the Beneficiary groups also report an tion was not possible Mathew spent women and youth groups in the pro- increase in problem solving skills as many months supported by his par- gramme. Beneficiaries like Mathew well as more attention to business ents while he tried to find opportuni- and Grace report an improvement in opportunities. the running of their business through 10 Continues on page 11 Continued from page 10

ISSUE) The SIYB/GYB training has given th

(5 groups the skillset to scope out dif- ferent business opportunities which they had previously overlooked or lacked the resources to undertake. Twiyambe Group’s decision to provide a service (event centre) which was lack- ing in their community showcases this improvement in business savviness VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES and acumen.

Better production Beneficiary groups also report the scal- ing up of their business through the purchasing of possessing machinery Members of the Msuaso Economic Development group purchased wine processing machinery through and employment of workers outside funding support from ILO and UNDP through the Kigoma Joint Programme. the group. Twiyambe Group currently employs 6 workers including a security supply that is why we need to build a security guards just to name a few has guard while the wine making group has bigger manufacturing area and get created income sources for the soci- increased their team of five members our own water supply,” says Grace. The ety. With time, it is anticipated that to include manufacturing assistants, group aims to produce 500-600 litres of the scale up of these businesses will security and distributors. Furthermore, wine per week once they have moved increase more opportunities for locals both groups report an increase in pro- to their new facility which is under con- in the target regions. duction as they have begun to apply struction. the teaching, they received during “I had no sense of direction and no business development training. The Opportunities for other members of the confidence. As a wife and mother, wine-making group has been able to community didn’t know how to manage my time to The groups supported through the capitalize on the local market by man- grow my business.” ufacturing wines in different sizes and KJP have made an avenue for other prices ranging from “Our demand at members of the society to benefit from Hidaya Mkiti the moment is higher than we can the programme. For example, engag- 11 ing new members, local contractors, Twiyambe Women’s Group VICTIMS VOICES: MY SMILE AND DREAMS RESTORED FROM BEING VICTIM OF ISSUE)

TRAFFICKING. th (5 13-year-old boy Moses Martin A (not real name), a Burundian by nationality, lived safely with his col- leagues in a shelter supported by the International Organization for Migra- tion (IOM) in in Kigoma

region Tanzania. The shelter house has FROM THE FIELD VOICES been constructed for assisting victims of violence against women and chil- dren. Moses explains how he was res- cued from being a victim of trafficking:

“I clearly remember the day a strange man approached my friend and asked us to assist him with some farm chores near the area where we were playing football with my friends. He approached us with sweet words A Senior Social Welfare Office from Kasulu Town Council, Mr. Godfrey Kapaya, sharing the achievements promising us that he was going to pay made so far on assisting victims of trafficking and survivors of different forms of violence through the us some money which could help us to IOM-supported shelter during a donor monitoring visit. cover some school needs. With his soft nowhere in Tanzania. We hardly could words we bought the idea of working eat nor drink anything, this time round, for him believing that at the end of the “I was so shocked and got scared and our hands were tied with ropes and day he will pay us some money. Blindly, that this time around this man would our mouth covered with rugs, hence we started to travel with him thinking could not do anything” added Moses. kill me” that his farm was just near the place His friends were taken somewhere else we were playing, at that time little did Moses, and since then Moses could not trace we know that he was taking us to an Victim of Human Trafficking their whereabout. unknown destination in the middle of 12

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ISSUE) At the time, Moses was 10-years-old th

(5 and at that young age he found him- self forced to do cattle rearing and grazing with a promise of being paid Tsh 450,000 per year. He worked for two years (without being paid a sin- gle penny) before he could escape. His first attempt to escape failed when he tried to run to one of the villages in VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES Kasulu district to seek help from one of the village leaders. To his disappoint- ment, the village leader called Moses’ host to come and pick him at his office “I was so shocked and got scared that this time around this man would kill me” said Moses.

Moses, being frustrated and weak- Literacy class that Moses was attending during his stay at the IOM-supported shelter. ened by the countless tasks assigned to him, never got weary of trying to The IOM which opened the shelter at the court. escape for a second time. One oppor- as part of the the Kigoma Joint Pro- “I am so happy that I am alive with tune day, he made his second attempt gramme (KJP), together with Wote- good healthy and have been brought to escape and luckily manage to get sawa, the police, immigration, health back to school. Recovery process was away. A good Samaritan took him at workers social welfare played a vital not easy for me at all. I thank every- the police station at Kasulu district. role in ensuring Moses and other vic- one who has worked for my case, my The police hurriedly contacted the Dis- tims are supported at the shelter. dreams and smiles have been restored trict Social Welfare Officer who later back, I am happy now and I have been referred Moses to a shelter supported During his stay at the shelter, he brought back on track to pursue with by the International Organization for received a psychosocial support includ- my studies. Migration (IOM) in Kasulu district for ing counselling, healthcare and literacy 13 assistance and protection services. education, until his case was resolved

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I am thankful for the reintegration sup- ISSUE) th

port I was granted during family reuni- (5 fication’’-highlighted Moses.

IOM acknowledges the frontline work- ers for their coordination on assisting and responding to victims of traffick- ing and survivors of different forms of violence against women and children. VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES This is one of the achievements follow- ing a series of capacity building inita- tives by IOM under the Ending Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) component of the KJP which is funded by the Government of Norway. A class that Moses is currently attending together with his fellow students at his home village.

THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE IMPROVES BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AT SOFYA MARKET IN KASULU DISTRICT COUNCIL asulu District is one of the six dis- One of the incomes-generating activi- Kigoma Joint Program (KJP), embarked Ktricts of Kigoma Region in Tan- ties for the majority of women in Ka- on construction of stalls at Sofya Mar- zania. The main economic activity is sulu District is the selling of farming ket to establish a safe and clean work- subsistence farming and small and products at various markets. At the ing environment for the entrepreneurs. medium-scale businesses. For many markets, women would put their sell- years the district has been hosting sev- ing products on the ground, which Products were left on the ground cov- eral refugees coming from Burundi negatively affects quality and hygiene ered with plastic sheets and could easi- and the Democratic Republic of Congo of the products. In an effort to tackle ly be stepped by the passers-by. Selling DRC. The priority of the Tanzanian gov- this problem, the International Trade products on the ground was not safe ernment is to support the development Centre (ITC), in collaboration with Ka- for sellers and buyers and products of Kigoma to become a trade hub with sulu Town Council under the Youth and could easily be infected by harmful the neighbouring countries. Women Economic theme (YWEE) of the bacteria. 14 Continues on page 15 Continued from page 14 ISSUE) th (5 VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES

Before the construction of the stalls, entrepreneurs these were the conditions under which entrepreneurs were selling their products at Sofya Market.

“Once the Sofya Market will be com- The Market aims to accommodate The new and improved Sofya Mar- plete, I am pretty sure it will enable 1,120 traders, whom are mostly ket will attract customers to visit the me to display and sell my products in a women. The completion of the market market while guaranteeing a safe and good hygiene environment, unlike the will assist ientrepreneurs to up-scale clean environment throughout the previous condition. It will also allow their businesses from small to medium year, even during rainy season. In addi- me to store my belongings on the size. Previously, during rainy seasons, tional to that, most women and youth constructed stalls to ease the stress there would be a decrease in mar- will have a safe environment for selling of taking my products back-and-forth ket activities due to the accumulation their products which in turn it will lead from home” said Mrs. Margreth Wilson of water puddles caused by the poor to higher incomesand this what the KJP Koko, one of the traders. infrastructures. in collaboration with the government 15 intends to achieve.

Continues on page 16 Continued from page 15 ISSUE) th (5 VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES

These 110 newly constructed stalls will provide a safer and cleaner business environment at Sofya Market.

THE POWER OF SAVING AND LENDING GROUPS AMONG REFUGEES IN NORTH WESTERN TANZANIA he success of saving and lending also testing mechanisms for delivering Tgroups to increase local commu- As part of a Kigoma Joint Programme financial and digital education using nitys’ income in Tanzania has encour- (KJP), under the Youth and Women’s tablets, an SMS platform, short videos aged development and humanitarian Economic Empowerment (YWEE) out- and supplementary face-to-face train- stakeholders to extend these services come, the United Nations Capital De- ing sessions. Because participation in to more marginal areas, including peo- velopment Fund (UNCDF) is champion- savings groups can facilitate and en- ple affected by protracted crisis. Refu- ing the formation and strengthening hance inclusive social and economic gees, immigrants and host communi- of savings groups complemented with development as well as cohesion, ties are among the most vulnerable of digital and financial literacy for refu- UNCDF supports these interventions, these new target populations. gees and host communities. UNCDF is 16 Continues on page 17 Continued from page 16

ISSUE) along with the necessary financial and th

(5 digital literacy skills, in and around the three refugee camps in the Kigoma region, benefiting both the refugee and host communities, with a focus on women and youth.

In the story below, you will read about Sogambele savings group in Nyarugu- VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES su camp, and how the group comes in support of its members.

Sogambele group – Nyarugusu Camp One year and a half year ago, though though the both lived in at Nyarugu- su Refugee Camp, Stephanie did not Members of Sogambele Savings Group mixing cassava pulp before making ‘ugali’ in Nyarugusu know Lea, and neither of them knew Refugee camp, in Kasulu district, Kigoma region. Simeon, nor Enrique, nor Celine until they participated in a training about the other 20 refugees met and had the ing amount is distributed among the savings groups and the VICOBA meth- idea to start a savings group and be- members for their personal and house- odology in a multipurpose training coming entrepreneurs together. hold-related expenses. Children’s edu- centre, which has been established cation is a priority. just outside Nyarugusu camp as part As the result of the training offered by of KJP-YWEE. This is just one of many the programme, and operationaliza- The group meets every week for dis- services that the centre provides to the tion of their savings group, the team cussion on various matters but more refugees and host communities. could diversify the food rations in the importantly, to collect deposits from camp, especially now that the common members. They deposit minimum TZS At the centre, they were taught life market is closed – a big challenge for 200 every week (the maximum amount skills, entrepreneurship , budgeting, this and other groups in and outside is TZS 1000) and share out every 9 savings and record-keeping. This is the camp. Part of what they earn is months, which is the standard dura- where, Stephanie narrates, she and invested in borrowing equipment for tion of a cycle. 17 processing cassava flour. The remain- Continues on page 18 Continued from page 17

When they share out, not all the accu- ISSUE) th

mulated savings is disbursed. One part (5 is deposited into a social fund, which is there to support the members during harder times such as paying for burial ceremonies and medical assistance.

Not only the 20 members of this group are in the same business and save VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES together for emergencies, they discuss their personal struggles and are phys- ically there when a member needs a hand to hold. Like when in a hospital bed.

One year and half after they first met, these 20 refugees are more resilient in Cassava flour being processed before being used to make ‘ugali’ by members of Songambele Savings a supportive family-like atmosphere. Group in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp.

‘OWNING SHARES OF THE COMPANY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING’

n this era of focusing on women from Katubuka -Kigoma and other Like many other women in the Kigo- Iempowerment and gender equality, 17 members of Kazi Women Group, are ma region, I wanted to be able to do it is inspiring to find a group of women getting in on entrepreneurship activi- something to support my family and from an informal sector engaged in ties of buying, processing and selling pay school fees for our children. local economic empowerment activi- fish and sardines. Flora says, ”When we ties and owning shares of a Small and first started fish and sardines process- In 2004, my friends and I decided to Medium Enterprises (SME). ing business, we never imagined we form a savings and lending group would one-day own shares in one of called Katubuka SACCOS. Flora Nyabite, a 48-year-old mum of 3 the successful factories in the region.” 18

Continues on page 19 Continued from page 18

ISSUE) Our SACCOS aimed to accumulate th

(5 capital through group savings, invest- ments, and loan opportunities so that we, as members, can use it to improve our small businesses and hence in- crease our incomes to support our families. Of our initial three projects, one involved processing and selling fish and sardines, the second was on VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES processing and selling vegetables and the third one on processing and sell- ing soya milk. For the past 13 years we struggled to expand our projects in or- der to support our families, eventual- ly things could not work out as some Members of Kazi Women’s Group, shareholders of the Petro & Sons Company Limited, in Kigoma show- members left the group with unpaid ing the final packaged product of dried sardines (know as ‘dagaa’) in Kiswahili. The women provide the raw sardines and also play a huge role in the value-addition process. loans. gramme (KJP) to apply for grants that So, the remaining members of the will add on their capital to boost the “Owning shares was only the begin- group and I started fixing the ineffi- production and income-generation. ning of us members of Kazi Women ciencies in leadership and member- After applying, UNCDF agreed to sup- Group benefiting from the project. We ship. We also strengthened the group port the project for both Petro and are all so happy and are seeing that and recruited new members, including Sons and the Kazi Women Group under the whole thing is bringing us positive men. Then we changed the name of the condition that both parties agree energies and good income. Also, we our group to the Kazi Women Group. on distribution of shares between the used to sell 40-50 kilograms per day, two parties. UNCDF interest was to but now during the high season we can It happened that one of the sharehold- improve the working environment of sell up to 1,800 kilograms of sardines/ ers of Petro and Sons Company Limited the members, including other women fish to other regions like , Dar Mr. Machibya and Kazi Women Group traders who use the facility. This part- es Salaam, Mbeya, , and heard about an opportunity through nership has led the Kazi Women Group ,” Flora said proudly. to own 30 per cent of the company’s 19 UNCDF under the Kigoma Joint Pro- shares. Continues on page 20 Continued from page 19 are part of this company and involved Group to keep up the good work and

About 69 new women entrepreneurs in the business, we feel confident and strive for even higher success and last ISSUE) th

have been welcomed to join the com- have greatly gained a sense of owner- but not the least, I would like to give a (5 pany and are currently registered and ship. As for me, this business is allow- huge thanks to UNCDF under the KJP have a contract with Petro and Sons as ing me and my family to make a living, for bringing this wonderful opportu- suppliers. “To me, I like this partnership, buy school supplies for my children nity to Kigoma Region. Our families and it has enabled other groups of women and pay school fees for my elder son, community income has increased dras- traders including the Kazi Women who is at the university. Moving for- tically, we can now afford to buy basic Group to spend less time selling sup- ward, all I need to do is to work harder things that we could not afford prior to plies of sardines and fish,” added FLora. than before. As in this region, if you are UNCDF’s support, Flora Nyabite ends VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES She credits the UNCDF-support for the a woman, you need to work hard to by saying “Asante sana UNCDF chini enormous success they are experienc- take care of yourself and support your ya mpango wa pamoja wa maendeleo ing at the moment. family.” was KJP” literally means “ Thanks very much to UNCDF under the Kigoma “Now that my group members and I I urge all members in Kazi Women Joint Programme”

EMPOWERING YOUTH AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: KEY TO ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

omen and youth are the most Weconomic dependent people in Tanzania. Empowering these groups is very important to advance their growth so that they gain economic independence. To ensure this is real- ised, UNDP in collaboration with ILO are jointly supporting economic activi- ties for Women and Youth Groups with a focus on access to finance for small scale investment. Tushirikiane Women Group members in a photo at their project area where they have a pig farm 20

Continues on page 21 Continued from page 20 ISSUE) th (5 VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES

Some members of Ukhery group proudly posing at their 15 acres cassava Kasulu Youth Revolution (Kayore) Group showcasing their products farm

In April 2019, 12 groups owned enter- standing of what was being taught. The Groups Testimonies prises in Kasulu Distirct Commission, sessions were held inside the premises The beneficiaries explained that the Kasulu Town Council, Kibondo and of the group enterprise in order to gain knowledge gained has helped them Kakonko districts in Kigoma region a better understanding of achieve- improve their group and individual went through a two days in-store ments and challenges being experi- businesses, including winning more coaching session to help them them enced on the ground. Where possible, trust and approval from male coun- gain more knowledge and experience the coach discussed with the suppliers terparts to engage in the group affairs of doing business better and smart. who were on site and advised on dif- than was before the support. The session touched on three specific ferent angles derived from the shared areas: Business Model Development, challenges. Challenges were noted and “I share the advice I get here with my Business Governance and Financial solutions proposed to ensure smooth husband back home; it helps me get Management. running of their enterprises. This activ- permission to attend sessions and A hands-on approach was used which ity is under Kigoma Joint Programme sometimes implement the advice I get involved using real examples to ensure (KJP) on Youth and Women’s Economic from my group and sessions to my 21 the participants gain a better under- Empowerment (YWEE) component. family”

Continues on page 22 Continued from page 21 known in their communities and many

The groups expressed sincere appreci- more women and youth are attracted Based on its focus and impacts, this ISSUE) th

ation for the support and promised to to join. The Youth Groups have a lot intervention is in line with Sustain- (5 demonstrate good discipline and trans- of work to do and expressed their grat- able Development Goal 1 (SDG1), parency in using the grant received to itude to UNDP and ILO for providing which focuses on Poverty eradication achieve the goals, especially after the them the grant that will fuel them to and Sustainable Development Goal 2 coaching sessions. Through the sup- eradicate poverty, hunger and improve (SDG2) focusing on Zero Hunger. port, the groups have become more their lives. VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES SAFE SPACE-TUSEME YOUTH CLUBS EMPOWERING STUDENTS IN KASULU DISTRICT

tudent-led Youth Clubs in Kasulu us speak out‘) Youth clubs in Kasulu. As ate peer-led activities within the school Sdistrict provided girls and boys with a result, 60 clubs were established in setting. the skills they require to speak out on 10 primary and 5 secondary schools of the challenges that hinder their suc- selected wards - Heru-ushingo, Titye, The project team visited the Nyakiton- cessful schooling and general wellbe- Nyakitonto, Nyamyusi and Rungwe to Secondary school in July 2019 after a ing. The initiative is part of the Empow- Mpya. More than 1,000 female and 452 few months of the training to listen to ering Adolescent Girls and Young male students joined with 120 teachers the experience of students and teach- Women through Education in Tanzania as mentors. ers. Ms. Angel Kayego, a club mem- component of the Kigoma Joint Pro- ber said that,“Girls’ confidence has gramme (KJP) which is being funded by The range of training on life skills pro- increased. It seems sexual relations the Korea International Cooperation vided to the students include commu- amongst students has decreased. Even Agency (KOICA)funded and is being nication and leadership, human rights, bullying from senior students to junior implemented in collaboration with UN sexual reproductive health, violence students dropped. In pursuit of good Women and UNFPA. against women and children, entrepre- grades, fewer students go to the night neurship skills. The life skill knowledge markets and video screening cafes.” In 2019, UNESCO, in partnership with acquired will help students promote the Forum for African Women Educa- a safe learning environment and ul- The club mentor, Mr. Emmanuel Map- tionalists Tanzania Chapter (FAWETZ) timately to integrate in society as ac- inda, also found out that students conducted training to establish Safe tive and responsible citizens. After the gained more confidence from the Space-TUSEME (which translates to ‘Let training, they were encouraged to initi- training for Safe Space-TUSEME club. 22

Continues on page 23 Continued from page 22 ISSUE) th (5 VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES

Angel Kayego, a student member, sharing what changes have been made in A Group photo of the Safe Space - TUSEME Youth Club members from Nya- the school since the establishment of the Safe Space - TUSEME clubs. kitonto Secondary school along with their club patrons.

He added, female students are more tor five students who are not club ber 2018 from the same project, these actively participating in class and members. In various art forms includ- immediate changes among students school activities with increased confi- ing drama, club members will dissem- mobilized strong support from the dence. inate key messages during morning school board and community mem- By meeting regularly on Fridays, club assembly hours to remind on the neg- bers to facilitate their planned activi- members are planning their activities ative effects of night markets, video ties. for the upcoming semester. One club screening cafes, teenage pregnancies, The established youth club will func- will focus on enhancing entrepreneur- truancy and early childhood marriage tion as a safe and motivational plat- ship skills through soap making and to successful schooling. form for school students. Mr. Kiondo, selling. They plan to hire an instructor the second master teacher, expects his for soap making by using micro capital Synergized with the community sen- students to think creatively and inno- provided during the training. sitization on the existing legal and vatively on how to mitigate various Another club will reinforce peer sup- regulatory framework that supports challenges facing them in and out of 23 port. Each member student will men- girls’ education conducted in Decem- schools. “A SKILL FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CAMP LIFE” – MEET THE GNTZ SOAP MAKING ISSUE)

GROUP th (5 (KJP).

Half of the 30 trainees in the Soap Mak- ing Group’s cohort were Tanzanian and half were refugees. When the six-month course was over, they were equipped

with startup kits to begin making soap FROM THE FIELD VOICES independently. The Group pooled their resources, and business began, selling soap in the camp and nearby villages.

Business boomed. Within two months, they had turned a profit of Tsh 1,067,400 (approximately USD 464).

Students of the Multi-Purpose Community Centre (MPCC) outside Nyarurgusu Refugee Camp who have For the Soap Making Group, the proj- been trained in soap-making with one of their facilitators from Good Neighbours. The MPCC is managed ect is about more than just about by UNHCR and was constructed with support from KOICA and Norway. earning an income. It’s also a chance yNyarugusu refugee camp is one laundry needs. A group of ten people to empower themselves, take care of Nof the largest refugee camps in comprising Burundian and Congolese their families, and make a contribution Tanzania. It is located in the western refugees and members of the local to the broader community. The Group province of Kigoma, Tanzania, about community decided to tackle the prob- aims to promote and support good 150 km east of . lem head on and formed the GNTZ sanitary practices in the camps and lo- Soap Making Group. cal community by providing good qual- There has been an insufficient supply ity, affordable hygiene products. of soap in the camp, despite regu- The Group was trained in the art of lar distributions, the available supply soap making by UNHCR’s partner, The GNTZ Soap Making Group supplies meets around half the demand of the Good Neighbours Tanzania, in a proj- soaps in Nyarugusu and nearby villag- 145,000 residents’ daily washing and ect under the Kigoma Joint Programme es. Desus Mzima, 24

Continues on page 25 Continued from page 24 a better life for our families.” For the meet seasonal needs. The weather in

ISSUE) a Tanzanian citizen living near Nyaru- Group’s Chair, Congolese refugee Mis- Kigoma is very dusty during dry season th

(5 gusu camp, is the Group’s Treasurer. imbano Balongwerwa, the work brings and muddy during rainy season, lead- “We sell for both wholesale and retail,” some fundamental benefits, too. ing to increased demand for afford- Desus explains. “We don’t make a big “Since we began making soaps, we are able, quality soap. profit, but we earn enough to take care no longer dependent on the monthly There are many projects like this one of our families. Through our work we food distributions to feed our families. under the KJP, providing support to also get to meet people from different We buy vegetables, fish and meat, and the diverse members of the Kigoma backgrounds and exchange ideas.” eat different things every day,” he says. community. Bringing together people “We don’t have a normal life, but we from the refugee and host communi- VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES “There is no difference between us,” are not just surviving either.” ties with a common aim, this project he continues. “This project brought us aims to promote social cohesion while together, and together we learn, and “This is a skill for life, not just for camp empowering the trainees with new life share knowledge and skills. You can- life,” Misimbano adds with a smile. skills and a new means of providing for not tell who a refugee is and who is a their families. Tanzanian. We are equals and help one Not content to rest on their laurels, the another. We all have the same goal - Group wants to expand production to

KIGOMA JOINT PROGRAMME EMPOWERS SMALLHOLDER FARMERS ON POST-HARVEST HANDLING AND STORAGE

ost – harvest food losses among their annual income from one harvest. “The training was an enormous help, Psmallholder farmers in Tanzania Post – harvest food losses are typically not just for me, but for the communi- ranges up to 30-40% in most of the the result of poor handling and storage ty,” said Amoni Mtenzi, a KJP beneficia- regions. Kigoma region being one the practices and are mostly preventable. ry from Kabingo in Kakonko District. affected regions, farmers do experi- “Before the training, we were farming ence this challenge in their post – har- This is why WFP and other UN agencies the only way we knew, the same way vest seasons. These losses have had are working to help smallholder farm- we always had. Post-harvest losses negative effects on food security, nutri- ers reduce their losses through the Ki- were just part of it. But now we have tion and hunger, especially for subsis- goma Joint Programme (KJP). control and can take back the whole 25 tence farmers who receive most of harvest.”

Continues on page 26 Continued from page 25 their grain. This means they do not vulnerable to shocks such as droughts

This included facilitating famers to pur- have to sell maize shortly after harvest or infestations. Even this year, many ISSUE) th

chase almost 2,000 tarpaulins and over when prices are the lowest. Rather, farmers under KJP had smaller har- (5 6,000 hermetically sealing bags. The they can sell in the following months vests than usual because of an out- tarpaulins give farmers a clean space when prices can more than double. break of fall armyworms. for threshing and drying the maize while the hermetic bags allow the farm- More income means farmers can get a “The small harvest was a challenge, but ers to safely store maize for up to two head and reinvest in diversified crops it’s great that I can keep the harvest I years without worry of contamination or livestock which helps to build resil- did manage and that I don’t have to from pests or moulds – two of the most ience at both the home and commu- worry about further losses,” said Jacob VOICES FROM THE FIELD VOICES common causes of post-harvest losses. nity levels. Resilience for smallholder Kifige another KJP beneficiary from The hermetic bags also give farmers farmers is key with their dependence Kabingo. increased control over when they sell on rain-fed agriculture making them

Mr & Mrs Jacob Chungano, members of ‘Umoja ni Nguvu’ group at Kibingo Ms. Grace Mhoza at Kiyobela Village in Kakonko district doing hand shelling village in Kakonko district, enjoying their maize stock which has been stored of maize with the support of tarpaulin to avoid direct contact with soil. After in hermetic bags for a period of 4 months without using chemicals. They attending post-harvest handling and storage training by WFP through the used this storage modality after getting a training on post-harvest handling KJP, the majority of farmers are now using tarpaulins when shelling and and storage and linked to equipment suppliers by WFP through the Kigoma drying to avoid direct contact with soil to maintain the quality and add value Joint Programme (KJP). to crops. 26 The United Nations in Tanzania would like to thank our development partners for their support to this programme

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