Blog

05-09/07/16 Pamoja Tuwalee : Batik Seminar

Although last week was the week of holidays, we stayed committed: Almost 60 members of the LIMCA-microfinance groups had the possibility to attend a batik seminar. The members of our LIMCA groups aim to empower themselves economically. We support them with supervision and through various trainings that help them to generate an income. Since fabrics with batik patterns are especially popular, starting an own batik production promises to be profitable. The batik teacher Michael Mgaza from Dar es Salam did a great job in teaching equally theoretical and practical parts, an informative but also fun time. Many different techniques and styles, as well as safety issues were talked about. The Town Community Development Officer, Ahmub M. , who visited the training was impressed by the results and was given a kitenge which was beautifully made by the participants.

Last but not least we wish you and you family:

IDDI MBARAKA!

29/06 – 01/07/2016 Engagement Global - Connecting Horizons in Germany

At the end of June our Director Adolph Noya Programme Manager Izack Mbilinyi had the outstanding possibility to attend an exclusive workshop and a conference both hosted by the German Service for Development Initiatives “Engagement Global” in Bonn, Germany. The workshop was implemented by African German Youth Initiative and aimed to support the dialogue between sending and receiving organizations of German and Tanzanian youths and develop a new support structure. We, Talisda, as host organization for two German volunteers yearly were very interested in the exchange of ideas and networking possibilities.

The following two days we spent at the “Connecting Horizons.”-conference that is all about making youth exchange a motor for global partnerships and development. The event included panels with important deputies from the German and African side, specialist forums and again lots of possibilities for networking and even fundraising.

All in the entire trip was truly inspiring and enriching for us as well as we could contribute to the dialogue about the development of valuable international youth exchange. As a little extra we were lucky to meet some of our former volunteers from Germany. What a wonderful reunion!

01/04/2016 Pamoja Tuwalee: Examination of kids’ nutritional status and testing them concerning HIV/AIDS

Between the 29th, February and the 16th, March, we led a comprehensive inquiry in numerous Primary Schools in Korogwe Town. As a part of the Pamoja Tuwalee program, a team of fifteen health professionals (nurses, doctors, councilors) and six TALISDA team members examined the impressing amount of 7029 pupils. Equally we tookt the chance to teach the pupils about healthy nutrition. We are happy to announce that the number of kids infected with HIV was far under our expectations (0. 5%). Unfortunately, the general nutritional status was worse that firstly estimated: Almost 730 children fell into the categories “yellow” or “red”, standing for moderate and severe malnutrition and alarming under weight. Also we identified almost 1900 MVC (most vulnerable children) that live in unsafe circumstances. All the children that were identified as under- or malnourished, MVC or HIV infected received instant counseling and first aid. Furthermore they were referenced to the local hospital for further support and free medication. Present parents were actively integrated in the examination and counseling process. The data acquired will hopefully improve the quality of our development endeavors.

18/01/2016 Recent Wekeza Follow-Up

Last week, February 16th to 18th, it was time to travel all over Korogwe area to check the results of WEKEZA initiative. In three days we visited ten villages. The team consisted of Talisda staff, Mwanamvua Mwalimu and Joseph Shemtilwa, both concerned with WEKEZA, and our Executive Director Joseph Noya. Furthermore we had the honor to be accompanied by Anna Mgina (Community Development), Dickson Mgaya (Social Welfare) and James Lyimo (Education) important members of Korogwe Town council. To guarantee the sustainability of the project we examined the progresses in the areas of Livelihood and Education. One the one hand we talked to headmasters and teachers of the cooperating schools, on the other hand to the leaders of VICOBA, the local micro-finance groups. Though there are still challenges to deal with we were happy finding out that most initiatives were successful: Classrooms have been renovated to make teaching and learning possible and even attractive. Honey extractors and tractors have been purchased to increase income. Almost 90% of goals have been reached. So, everything taken in to account we achieved satisfying and motivating results.

13/01/2016 Interview Process

The New Year began eventfully: Stepping in a new phase of our biggest program, Pamoja Tuwalee, the restructuring process has been accompanied by a public call for application. We received a total of 23 applications for jobs in the five operating areas Program Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Program Accountant, Project Officer and Community Based Trainer. In the interview process we tested our applicant’s computer skills, academic qualifications, experience with children’s issues and team work capability and fluency in both English and Kiswahili.

We are proud to welcome our freshly (re)employed staff members! Karibu!

Thank you for the numerous applications and everyone involved in the interview process!

Last Information before closing the Office for New Year's holiday

Like every year when Christmas comes people are in a hurry. There is so much work to do before you can leave the office for holidays. Even at TALISDA Foundation December has come too fast. All staff members tried their best to finish work in time. For example they considered the finances and wrote a lot of reports. The last day of working was dated on 23/12/2014. Until the 5th of January 2015 the office will be closed.

On the final day all staff members were coming together to celebrate the end of the year. In the morning the head of TALISDA Foundation, Mr. Adolph Noya, the Chairperson, Samweli Shemzigwa, and 7 other staffs went to two villages. In both LIMCA groups have been established. First they went to Kwamsisi, where they received a warmly welcome by a group of singing women. As they sat together in the shadow they were informed about the duties and functions of the LIMCA group. So many experiences have been shared together. Afterwards there was a possibility to see the henhouse they have build together. Furthermore also the staff members informed the people of the village about their work and duties. Everybody was happy to see the progress.

Thereafter they went to Kwakombo where they’ve met a second LIMCA group. They have built a Solar Dryer to dry vegetables like tomatoes and spinach. It was nice to see them using it. Particularly the German volunteers have been interested; they already tried to dry fruits within the solar dryer at TALISDA office. Like the first group at Kwamsisi also the second at Kwakombo were telling the visitors about their challenges, duties and progresses. It is even better to meet with the people eye to eye then only to read or hear about their work. After finishing the visits they returned back to the head office in Majengo Street.

All in all 21 staff members were sitting in one small room to share the last hours of the working year 2014 together. Adolph Noya and Samweli Shemzigwa told them about the progresses, challenges and successes of the last year. It was a nice atmosphere for all.

Also Mr. Samweli Shemzigwa was lighting the last candle of the Advent wreath, which is a tradition from Germany. The two Volunteers built it four weeks before Christmas to show the staff what is typical for a German Christmas time. So every Monday of December when they have lightened a candle the staff received a little present. At the last day they have got some dried fruits and an extension cable.

The highlight of the day was the proclamation of the employees of the year 2014. Izack Mbilinyi and Yona Godwin received this award. Congratulations! Elisha Martine, Lilian Mdoe, Seif Mohamed, Dativa Sweetbert and Vicent Njama received an honor for their volunteer ship. Congratulations too!

All together they finished this day with a lunch. And in the end they were all happy to start the holidays and celebrate Christmas and the New Year’s Eve.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

We will meet again at the 5th of January 2015

Youth Career Development and Volunteer Services:

TALISDA Foundation also has a department for volunteers who are coming from Tanzania and other foreign countries. They participate in the work of the TALISDA members in several activities to get working experience. One of their projects in February was to collaborate with the environmental clubs in secondary schools of Korogwe district like in the Nyerere Memorial Secondary School. The volunteers and students exchange ideas about environmental protection for instance to avoid deforestation, pollution and erosion.

Furthermore they are a part of the WEKEZA (Wezesha ustawi Endeleza Kiwango cha Elimu Zuia Ajira kwa watoto = empowering welfare advance education level eliminate child labour) program in Tanga region. WEKEZA cooperates with TALISDA Foundation for effective participation and accountability toward improved education for children. Including children already entered or at risk of entering in child labour in Tanga region.

Under this project one volunteer participates together with staff members in collaboration with village and ward committee leaders in providing trainings to school committees, parents, teachers and local government workers in Korogwe, Muheza and municipality to give them education so that they know how to register MVC (Most Vulnerable Children) who are in child labour or at risk. Furthermore the members of TALISDA and WEKEZA provide entrepreneurial knowledge for parents so that they get the possibility to find a job. This is one way of avoiding child labour.