COAST REGION: IN the heart of Mlandizi Mtongani, a small village nestled in Coast Region in Tanzania, lives Amina Ally, a woman whose life story embodies resilience, hope, and transformation.
Born as any other ordinary person until she reached 6 years, Amina’s fate deteriorated to live with physical disability, thereafter she has spent the last 51 years of her life overcoming obstacles that many would consider insurmountable.
But what truly sets Amina apart is her unwavering determination to create a better life for herself and her family despite the challenges she faces every day.
At the age of 6, Amina was diagnosed with a physical disability that affected her ability to move freely. But rather than succumbing to the limitations of her condition, she embraced life with a fierce determination. Her journey was not easy, and for many years, she struggled to make ends meet.
As a petty trader, she sold groundnuts to support herself and her family, but her earnings were barely enough to cover the basics.
It wasn’t until 2014 that Amina’s life took a significant turn. She became a beneficiary of the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), an initiative aimed at providing financial support and skills training to vulnerable individuals. Through TASAF, Amina not only received much-needed financial assistance but also gained access to valuable training that would change her life forever.
“I started with 30,000/-,” Amina recalls, “and I was able to invest that into my business. Through TASAF’s support, I learned how to make batiki (a form of fabric art), and that skill has helped me earn a living.” Batiki-making became Amina’s new source of income, and she quickly began to see the fruits of her labor. From the initial 30,000/-, Amina’s business grew.
She now rotates in business with around 500,000/- in capital and consistently earns a profit of 12,000/-. The financial support and business skills provided by TASAF not only allowed her to expand her business but also provided a sense of stability she had never known.
“Without TASAF, I would never have been able to grow my business. I am so grateful for the opportunity they gave me,” Amina says with a smile.
But Amina’s journey hasn’t been without its struggles. Despite her success in business, she faces the constant challenge of living with a disability. Amina’s condition means that she is unable to perform many tasks that others might take for granted, such as household chores or caring for herself when her husband is away.
“I don’t have a helper at home, and when my husband is out working, I struggle to keep up with the housework. But I manage,” she says, determination in her voice.
Her husband is her biggest support, working hard to support the family, but Amina knows that without external support, life would be even harder. She credits TASAF for providing the foundation she needed to not only survive but to thrive.
“TASAF gave me the tools to build my own life,” she says. “Now, I am not just surviving. I am living.” Amina’s story is a testament to the power of empowerment through education, skills, and support. As TASAF phases out its direct funding to beneficiaries like Amina, she is no longer reliant on the funds, but she knows that her business, her resilience, and her newfound skills will keep her moving forward.
She has proven to herself and others that disabilities do not define one’s worth or potential for success. Looking ahead, Amina is hopeful for others who will benefit from TASAF’s legacy.
“I want others in my community to know that with the right support, they too can create a better life for themselves. Disability does not mean you cannot succeed.” Through her journey, Amina has not only transformed her own life but has also become an inspiration to others in Mlandizi Mtongani.
She stands as a beacon of hope, showing that no matter the challenges, a determined spirit, coupled with the right support, can make all the difference. As Tanzania observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Amina Ally’s story serves as a powerful reminder that inclusion, opportunity, and support can break down barriers and transform lives.
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Today, Amina is not just a survivor she is a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and the unshakable belief that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the chance to live life to its fullest potential. This equally aligns with TASAF focus of providing cash transfers to eligible households, contingent upon compliance with certain conditions such as school attendance and health check-ups.
This incentivizes beneficiaries to invest in human capital development and improve their well-being. Relocating to the heart of Kigogo, one of Dar es Salaam’s most bustling yet underserved neighborhoods, lives Nuru Mohammed Ali, a 48-year-old mother of four.
Life in Kigogo is another daily battle, a test of resilience in a place where opportunity feels as fleeting as the city’s brief rainy season. For Nuru, this struggle is compounded by a personal challenge—she has only one eye, a condition she has endured since her early twenties after a severe infection left her partially blind.
But if you thought Nuru’s missing eye would dim her vision for a better life, think again. Every morning, as the sun peeks over the slum’s corrugated rooftops, Nuru is already hard at work. Her hands, weathered but determined, weave intricate baskets, shape delicate ornaments, and craft colorful bags and necklaces.
A small section of her one-room home doubles as her workshop, filled with materials like beads, recycled fabric, and natural dyes. Nuru also makes soaps, a skill she learned through a local community initiative. It’s a craft that has brought her both pride and income, albeit modest.
Her soaps, known for their fresh lemongrass scent and smooth lather, have become a favorite among Kigogo’s residents, who appreciate both the quality and the effort behind them. Despite her hard work, life hasn’t always been kind. Providing for her four children and supporting her husband, who works as a day laborer, has often meant choosing between necessities like school fees and daily meals.
In 2014, Nuru’s life took a turn when she became a beneficiary of the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF). The cash transfer program was a lifeline, enabling her to expand her small business.
With the funds, she purchased better tools for her crafts and raw materials in bulk, reducing costs and increasing her productivity. TASAF also provided training on financial literacy, teaching Nuru how to save and budget effectively.
“For the first time, I felt like I could breathe,” Nuru recalls. “I managed to pay for my children’s school uniforms and even bought a proper table for my work.” Over the years, her income grew steadily, and she even began mentoring other women in Kigogo, teaching them soapmaking and basket weaving.
Fast forward to 2024, and Nuru is facing a new challenge: TASAF is phasing her out as a beneficiary. While this marks a significant milestone, as the program considers her self-reliant, it also reignites the uncertainty she felt before 2014.
“I am grateful for the support TASAF has given me, but I can’t lie—I’m scared,” she admits.
“The market is tough, and materials are getting expensive. But I’ve been through worse. I’ll keep pushing.” Her plan is to diversify her products and find better markets for her goods, including online platforms, though she’s still navigating the challenges of digital literacy.
She dreams of one day opening a small shop in Kigogo to display her work and that of other women she’s trained. Nuru’s story is one of unyielding determination. Her children, the youngest of whom is 10, are her greatest motivation.
“I want them to have choices I never had,” she says.
Kigogo may be a slum, but to Nuru, it’s home—a place where she’s built a life, woven not just with thread but with hope and perseverance.
As she faces this next chapter without TASAF, she does so with the same resilience that has defined her journey. “I may have only one eye,” she says with a smile, “but I see a future worth fighting for.”
