Over 50.5bn/- disbursed to Mwanza households under TASAF Programme

MWANZA: A TOTAL of 50.5bn/- has been disbursed to beneficiary households in Mwanza Region under the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) Programme Phase III – First Period since 2014.

The funds were provided as part of the government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and support vulnerable communities.

This was said recently by the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), Mwanza Regional Coordinator, Ms Monica Mahundi.

According to Mrs Mahundi, the programme has not only supported direct financial aid but also helped poor households increase their income through temporary employment opportunities in community-based projects.

She was speaking during the presentation of an implementation report to the ‘Ladies of New Millennium Women Groups,’ who were on a two-day visit to assess the impact of TASAFsupported projects in the region.

Addressing the visiting delegation of spouses of national leaders, Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Balandya Elikana, commended their initiative and encouraged women in the region to take full advantage of development projects, especially the completed J.P. Magufuli Bridge, which he said offers new economic opportunities for transporting goods to neighbouring regions.

On his part, Acting TASAF Director, Mr Japhet Boaz said the visit intended to offer the leaders a firsthand look at TASAF’s transformative projects across Mwanza, adding that their presence affirmed the importance of community engagement.

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The Chairperson of the New Millennium Women Groups, Ms Tunu Pinda applauded TASAF’s efforts and the Mwanza leadership in implementing high-impact and large-scale projects that are improving lives.

“When you help someone in need, you are not only fulfilling a government responsibility, you are also serving God. The reward may not come immediately or in the form of a paycheck, but it will come,” she remarked.

During her visit to Igogwe Secondary School, which was constructed through TASAF support, Ms Pinda handed over 25 cooking gas cylinders to women.

The donation aims to support women in their entrepreneurial activities, especially in food vending and fish frying, and aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s national initiative to promote clean cooking energy.

“We believe these gas cylinders will ease your work, protect the environment and improve your livelihoods. TASAF has laid the foundation and we are here to build upon it,” she added.

Presenting a local progress report on behalf of the Ilemela Municipal Director, TASAF Coordinator Mr Leonard Robert stated that since 2020, the council has disbursed over 6bn/- to more than 5,000 poor households.

He added that the council also received an additional 2.9bn/- for the implementation of 46 poverty reduction projects in the area.