Local association story in Tanzania

[Amelia Sagoff]

Hi,

I'm posting this on behalf of Deborah Gitonga, whom I had the immense pleasure of working with for a few months in Dodoma, Tanzania.  

Thanks for reading!

Amelia Sagoff

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My name is Deborah Gitonga living in Tanzania. I wanted to share some stories about a women's association Called MIC registered in Dodoma,Tanzania. I really want people to know that its possible for women living in poverty to transform themselves and make a massive impact in their own communities. After assisting, guiding and supporting them I have been shocked by what they have done. Please enjoy reading the little I have for you below, it might change your life forever.

Note: For pictures please do go to this link below'

 

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/micdodoma/ 

Miyuji Ipagala Chamwino (MIC) Association-Dodoma “Wamama Tunaweza Tukiwezeshwa”- Women can do it if we are lifted

Background

Miyuji Ipagala Chamwino (MIC) is an association of about 30 women, named after the three regions of Dodoma, Tanzania where the members live.  Their mission is to lift themselves out of poverty and to support the health of the community.  

MIC’s story begins with a community health project started by a technology company called Dimagi back in February 2010.  Women from Miyuji, Ipagala, and Chamwino were recruited to participate as Community Health Workers (CHWs).  The only required skill was literacy.  For a small stipend of 5,000Tsh per week, these women would visit families in their community to collect data and give health advice.

During weekly project meetings, the CHWs saw that they had a lot to talk about outside of their work.  They stayed late after meetings to talk about shared issues of poverty and health, and to discuss how to solve them together.  In August 2010, they formed the MIC Association and opened a bank account.  Each member contributed 1,000Tsh of her weekly earnings to the account.

The community health project is over, but MIC is still going strong.  They have started four small businesses which continue to contribute money back to the Association bank account.  They’ve established a medical dispensary in an underserved area.  They run an emergency taxi service.  And they’ve founded and continue to support an HIV+ income generating group. MIC has been successful to date due to strong determination, self belief that they can bring about change not only to themselves but also in the community. The project Manager, Deborah Gitonga has been instrumental in making sure MIC as an association has identified structures plus set-up. Coordination plus meetings are held through also the careful guidance of Deborah with partners and government officials in making sure that the association is recognized and given the needed support.

MIC has received funding from charitable donations, a generous microgrant from the Segal Family Foundation, their own small businesses, and member dues. 

MIC’s Work

Women taking action in bringing community development.

 “I used to walk 4 kilometers to go buy medicine for my baby and now it only takes me 15 minutes”.Said Fatuma Ali from the Njendengwa area of the Makulu ward in Ipagala where MIC as an association has opened up a medical dispensary for the community.

 

The MIC association members themselves were in the forefront in identifying this as the area with the greatest need for a medical dispensary, it has no clinics but only one chemist that also sells medication at a higher price. 

 

“It was too expensive for me to buy medicine from that clinic I don’t have a lot of money so these women were brought by God to open up this dispensary nearby and providing affordable medicine”. Said Veronica Muhango, a community member leaving in Njendengwa.

 

The association took action in bringing about affordable medication to the community and above all bringing the much needed service closer. These women held community meetings with local leaders, religious officials, traditional healers and many others to gather ideas and feedback in ways of dealing with this problem of not having a medical dispensary in Njedengwa.

 

“This is the kind of community empowerment and development we want in our country. We as the Government officials will always be willing to assist and support your work”. Said Ali Biringi the Head of Local Government Official in Njedengwa

 

The action taken from MIC as an association did not stop at only providing affordable medication and bringing these services closer to the community but also the medical dispensary has developed into a counseling site for a number of health issues affecting women in Njedengwa.

 

An average of 12 counseling sessions are held at the medical dispensary everyday with women wanting to be given health education on issues such as HIV/AIDS, newborn care, family planning and even general household health cleanliness.

 

The association together with the community has managed to identify problems affecting their community and find solutions at the same time. Lack of health services and education was pushing more women into the deep-end of poverty but things have started to change since the dispensary was opened up in Njedengwa.  

 

“Our main mission as MIC is to help lift ourselves out of poverty and at the same help improve the health of the community”. Said the Chairlady of MIC, Mwanaidi Tumbo

 

Introducing sustainable health services in the community

“If we can get the community in Njedengwa also contributing a small amount every month to this service then you as MIC would have contributed a lot towards reducing a lot of death in this area”,Deborah Wanjiru, MIC Project Manager/Assistance said during a meeting session in Dodoma with association members.

 

The introduction of a free emergency taxi service for the community has been greatly appreciated by all living in Njedengwa. The emergency service set-up is organized in such a way that the community will inform their community health worker (Who in this case CHW is part of MIC) of an emergency situation, the CHW will get hold of a taxi and inspect the emergency first and then head to the nearest hospital for further treatment. 

 

“We know what we are doing and the training given to us by Red Cross has helped MIC members a lot since they are also Community Health Workers.” Emelda Nchimbi said

 

What has been interesting in Njedengwa is that the community not only has welcomed the free service with open arms but now discussions have taken place for the possibility of community members contributing a small amount every month. This type of community engagement is now seen as a sustainable service for the community.

 

“If you ask me right now, this is the best way of keeping this service going forever in this community.  Let us see what will be the outcome of these meeting with the community”. Said Zinduna Maguru, MIC member.

 

This Outreach activity such as community emergency taxi service has helped in improving conditions of people in the community and has made them participate properly. MIC as an association has already accomplished through the emergency service in bringing the community to understand the importance of this service and now raise discussions from the community about how to keep the service operating.

 

Empowering disadvantage groups is possible

“Just because one has HIV/AIDS it does not mean they are incapable and we need to give them a chance just like others”. The development committee member for MIC Roselema said.

With the small savings plus returns generated from their small businesses, Mic as an association has gone an extra mile in providing support to less advantage groups in their community. One of these groups known as ‘Upendo’ has been supported by the association close to a year with great success.

“People used to laugh and spread bad news about me but now they respect me. The small business we are doing now has helped us all make money and be noted in society”. Said Esther John, MIC member.

Through the help and encouragement of MIC 15 men and women living with HIV/AIDS gathered together to form their own association called Upendo. MIC members initially started providing HIV/AIDS education plus counseling and distributing high-energy porridge to them. The group now has its own business selling charcoal and vegetables in the community.

“We are trying the best we can right now. We used to also provide them with transport money to go receive their ARV drugs in the city but now they have started contributing to their own transport cost”. Said MIC Chairlady, Mwanaidi Tumbo.

--
Amelia Sagoff

[kamanzi moses]

This is really a great Job, I personally believe in Women entrepreneurship for Social change. Innovative strategies like this one is so crucial  for income generation and behavioral change for Women especially those in villages. I have seen Women in Rwanda doing a lot to improve their livelihoods regardless of the size of Inputs, likewise I have had of Tanzania. Aim higher and Sasha can help with Spark microgrants' Approach to empower communities.
Thanks.   

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Kamanzi Moses
Cell phone:(+250)783012811, 726097820
Program Manager
Gardens for Health International: www.gardensforhealth.org
Global Health Corps: www.ghcorps.org
E-mails:kamanz...@yahoo.com
             kamanzi...@gmail.com
             mo...@gardensforhealth.org
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             Skype: moses.kamanzi1