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Our Programs
Tanzania
Tanzania's child population is extremely large, with more than half of the total population--roughly 21 million--under the age of 18. Approximately two million are classified as most vulnerable children (MVC), and 40% are estimated to be orphans as a result of AIDS. MVC in Tanzania are typically cared for by a surviving parent, extended family members, or older children in child-headed households. In many cases, these caregivers are themselves vulnerable. Nationally, more than a third of MVC live below the basic needs poverty line.
Despite significant strides made on behalf of these children in the national policy arena, much remains to be done to adequately support them. Weak government infrastructure and coordination with stakeholders, chronic human resource gaps, and a dearth of services in rural communities (where more than 80% of the population lives) impede efforts to support MVC and their households with the full range of comprehensive care they need.
Pamoja Tuwalee
More than 220,000 MVC have been identified in the northern regions of Tanzania, the majority of which are adolescents, ages 15-17 years old. Through the Pamoja Tuwalee (meaning "Together we nurture [the children]" in Swahili) project, Bantwana works at the community level to build the skills, networks, linkages, and referrals necessary to create an integrated network of essential service provision for vulnerable children and families in the Manyara, Tanga, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha regions of northern Tanzania.
Bantwana is committed to using child-focused, community-driven, comprehensive programming that addresses children's needs, and incorporates cutting edge technical innovations while valuing the unique contributions of resourceful community responses. In support of this effort, the Pamoja Tuwalee project improves the coordination and functioning of local government authorities (LGAs), reinvigorates or establishes village-level most vulnerable children committees (MVCCs), and promotes greater vertical and horizontal integration of key ministries charged with support for OVC.
Approach
The model for Bantwana's Pamoja Tuwalee project includes:
- Building the capacity of NGO partners to improve and expand high quality comprehensive care
- Using schools as platforms for integrated service provision
- Mobilizing communities to reach large numbers of children and households in rural areas with comprehensive, essential services, and
- Working with the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) and local MVCCs to develop a cadre of desperately needed, skilled village-based social workers.
All efforts are linked and coordinated with MVCC and LGA activities at the village and district levels.
Pamoja Tuwalee is a five-year project funded by USAID in the northern regions of Tanzania, implemented in collaboration with John Snow, Inc. (JSI) through the Bantwana Initiative.