TASAF Programmes in Zanzibar Impress Donors

By Issa Yussuf

Zanzibar — ZANZIBAR has been recording admirable increase of mothers and children attending hospitals, an admirable achievement in the implementation of the third phase of Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF III) projects in Zanzibar.

In a mission to evaluate the impact of the project in Muyuni- B village, South Unguja region in Zanzibar, officers from TASAF and development partners heard beneficiaries and authorities testify to have benefited from the programme.

"We thank the government and development partners for supporting the project. We have started to benefit as many women have been motivated to visit clinic, and also take their children in hospitals," said Mr Suleiman Msabah when reading a message from village.

He said that parents have also been encouraged to enrol their children for education in primary schools alongside buying school learning materials like exercise books and uniform for children in school.

Msabah said, "Absenteeism caused lack of school uniform and morning breakfast has been minimised, while many parents now engaged in income generating activities established under TASAF, are able to save money to support family affairs."

The South Unguja Regional Commissioner (RC), Dr Idrisa Muslim Hija and the local community leaders echoed the 73 household beneficiaries' testimony that TASAF project has helped to bring changes in the community.

However, Msabah said high demand for the TASAF money while the project only covers limited number of people, and low knowledge about its use were challenges that need to be addressed so that the anti-poverty program is real.

Prior to the village, the Principal Secretary (PS) - Second Vice-President Office, responsible for the project, Dr Khalid Mohammed, informed journalists that the TASAF programme also aim at solving the issue congestions in classroom by constructing new blocks, and buy desks.

"Under TASAF, we have also designed 'public work programme' which include: Development of roads in villages, establishing nursery for trees seedling production, environment cleaning, and planting of trees," the PS said.

TASAF Executive Director, Mr Ladislaus Mwamanga, World Bank official, Ms Ida Manjolo, officers from UNICEF and DFID commended Zanzibaris for the good work aiming at reducing poverty.

Chanzo: allAfrica