Dinner on the beach

This is our beautiful view from our beachside dinner this evening.
All thanks to Rumit!

Kigamboni

Rumit surprised the group with a lovely beach visit this afternoon
after our meetings with TASAF.

It was so nice & relaxing after all of our experiences from the week.

Yomono Village

Next, we went to see The Poultry Farm in Yomono. This was a group of
19 people with HIV/AIDS who purchase chicks in order to raise them and
then sell the adult chickens, as well as harvest the eggs.

We spent some time talking with them and learning about some of the
challenges they face. The poultry market is highly competitive AND
the price/value for chickens can fluctuate greatly.

Weaving Yarn at Kisitu

The women showed us how the yarn is kept un-tangled and then spun into
scarfs, knit hats, and they also sew various clothes: skirts, dresses,
tops, and colorful clothes.

With their newly landed contract, it is estimated that they will
generate $5,000 of profits. However, right now one of their biggest
struggles is a lack of capital needed in order to meet the demand of
1,000 sweaters for the highlands.

The Women at Kisitu

TASAF helped these women develop the necessary skills, obtain raw
materials, and purchase sewing & weaving equipment.

This group of 15 women were identified as vulnerable individuals, all
of which have HIV or the virus has taken over their immune system
already and developed into AIDS.

Only eight women were working today, the rest are too sick.

Day Eight: Kisitu Village

Today we were in the company of the organization TASAF, "Tanzania
Social Action Fund." This is a government owned association focused
on the people sector. Dr. Likwelile, CEO - as well as a senior
lecturer at Univ of Dar Es Salaam, and his team told us how they
empower communities, focus on improving the quality of life, and they
also work to stimulate demand at the local/micro levels so that
communities can benefit from macro-opportunities.

Right now TASAF is in the middle of a 5 year initiative with a budget
of $178.5 million.

TASAF is demand driven and follows a bottom-up approach, training
people who are below the poverty line or otherwisevulnerable.

Picture: Sewing & Knitting group

Karikoo Center