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Services
Training and Economic Empowerment for Women - in Serengeti and Tarime we have a programme led by a female Tanzanian agriculturist which seeks to impart skills in land preparation, animal husbandry, agricultural techniques, irrigation and small income generation initiatives. This programme has built on an earlier health programme for mothers and children - bringing health, education, and agriculture and water resources through a strategic effort at improving conditions of the people by the people.
Micro-Credit – in Mbeya we are operating a very successful group loans system that encourages women to involve themselves in small scale enterprise thus improving the economics of their families. To date there are almost 300 women involved in this scheme which we are seeking to replicate in other parts of the country where we operate. The loan repayments have had a 98% success rate!
Community Based Rehabilitation - in the Umalila Hills of Mbeya and the town itself the Army works with volunteers from a number of villages, seeking to identify children with disabilities, linking them to resources that will bring them out into society. This initiative is implemented to overcome institutionalisation of those who would normally be hidden away because of disability. A number of children with physical disabilities are now receiving orthopaedic aids produced through our Orthopaedic Workshop in Dar, enabling mobility and hopefully their attendance at school at some time in the future. A great deal of awareness and education is shared through our two programme supervisors who are nationals and who have recently undertaken a recognised course with COMBRA in Kampala.
Inclusive Education - being implemented in conjunction with CBR at our Matumaini School where we have 175 physically disabled youngsters between the ages of 7 and 20. Aiming to integrate able bodied and disabled children in primary school education – working with four government schools in Dar and the education department with some degree of success. Modification of buildings to allow this integration, education and awareness campaigns with other non-government and government bodies to encourage a positive attitude on integration.
Agriculture Training for Youth - three programmes that are geared at youth between the ages of 18 and 25, based on similar lines to that of the programme for rural women. Programmes have been implemented in Mbeya, Serengeti and Tarime districts with approximately five groups of 20 youngsters in each area. They are encouraged to work plots of land as a group, produce vegetables, be involved in the sale of produce to improve their economic situation and hopefully become active in the field of agriculture in their respective areas and become bread winners of their families.
Vocational Training for the Physically Disabled - we have a centre in Dar that caters for up to twenty youngsters, male and female who pursue a recognised VETA course in carpentry and tailoring. After completion of training the students graduate and receive tools for the acquired skills with the hope that they can return to their communities and become self sufficient in their respective trade. The centre also has scope for income generation opportunities and this is a field that needs further exploration and development as it has potential for self-sustainability of the programme, which becomes increasingly difficult to secure sponsorship for because the students are young adults.
KWETU Mbagala Girls’ Home, KWETU Crisis Centre, House of Peace and Community Counselling - all programmes are geared at women and girls at risk, providing safe havens and rehabilitation, encouraging reintegration into society, reducing the risks of HIV/AIDS infection through awareness and education training. Discouraging involvement in drug and alcohol abuse and commercial sex work, which lures naïve rural women and girls into bondage because of economic crisis! A number of booklets are available that highlight the respective areas of work.
Shukrani Secretarial College - based in Mbeya offers a one year secretarial course recognized by Pitmans UK for 48 students, 6 of those places being reserved for physically handicapped young people who are sponsored. In addition it offers evening courses in English, computer skills and typing for an average intake of 100 part time students. It recently held its 7th graduation for 38 of its successful students of the one year diploma course.
Itundu Secondary School - based in the Umalila Hills in Mbeya this school provides educational opportunity up to Form 4 for 160 students, with as far as possible a gender balance between boys and girls. It offers basic boarding facilities and has a wide catchment area for students from other areas of Tanzania. It is managed by The Salvation Army and recognized by the Government authorities.
And so The Salvation Army serves the nation with its heart to God and its hand to man!
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