Tigo initiative set to improve Tanzania children`s lives

BY WARYOBA YANKAMI

10th November 2013

Statistics show that children less than 18 years of age constitute almost half of  Tanzania’s population, but to date the investment in addressing their needs is not proportionate to their share of the population or their role as leaders of tomorrow and potential human capital.

Further, the findings note that investing in children is the single most important investment in national development.

This is according to a statement by Tigo Tanzania General Manager, Diego Gutierrez issued in Dar es Salaam on Thursday during the launch of ‘Tigo Reach for Change.’

The launch initiative is carried out in collaboration with ‘Reach for Change,’ a Swedish non-profitable organization, aiming to change lives of children through social entrepreneurship.

The initiative focuses on identifying and supporting local social entrepreneurs with solid ideas on improving the lives of Tanzanian children.

It further aims to reach disabled and orphan children.

Recent findings from different organizations in the country show 2.5 million children are chronically malnourished, and 9 out of 10 school pupils in rural areas are not enrolled in primary education while 48 per cent of children don’t pass their primary education due to different hardships.

Tigo is inviting Tanzanian candidates to present their local innovative ideas to help children and young people living under difficult conditions. Gutierrez said the winner applicant would receive $25,000 a year for up to three years as well as mentoring and professional advice.

According to him, children in Tanzania like others in the world have right to participation, development, protection and freedom from discrimination and an identity.

“Despite the progress made to date in fulfilling these rights, a lot needs to be done to ensure children grow to their full potential hence become contributing members of the society,” he added.

“Tanzania need local innovative ideas so as to address challenges which hinder children development or realisation of their rights by empowering local individuals with solutions that improve lives of children, ” Gutierrez noted.

He added that local problems are better solved by local individuals who thoroughly understand the issue at hand.

According to the Tigo boss, failure to invest in all aspects of children development now will severely impact Tanzania’s ability to develop and realise the country’s economy and social goals in vision 2025.

He noted that for many years now Tigo has been deeply involved in addressing challenges faced by Tanzania’s children and youths as one of its corporate responsibilities to the community through different community engagement projects.

It has been doing partnership with the government institutions as well as non-government organisations in the country.

Tigo Reach for Change stared effective yesterday receiving applications from different entrepreneurs to get qualified pwesins to be supported to reach Tanzania’s children in need, particularly in rural areas.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY