TABORA: Sixty-two households from Silimuka Village, Itilo Ward, Nzega Town Council, have officially graduated from the poverty alleviation programme executed by the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF).
Speaking at a brief graduation ceremony held in Nzega Town Council, TASAF’s facilitator for Nzega Town Council, Ms. Irene Mmasy, said that the households have successfully liberated themselves from abject poverty.
“Today, July 9, 2024, we witness the end of the journey for these 62 households after receiving support from TASAF for nine years since 2015. We have conducted an assessment and found that they have met all the graduation criteria,” said Ms. Mmasy.
The facilitator added that these households now have a guaranteed food supply and can engage in economic activities to meet their daily needs, including paying school fees for their children.
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“Our job now is to ensure that these households continue to use the knowledge and financial support they have acquired to increase their income and improve their lives. We will continue to provide education and support them through TASAF group networks in the village,” said Ms. Mmasy.
Ms. Mkabula Luhende (42), one of the graduates, explained how her life has changed since joining the program. “TASAF has helped me a lot. I have been able to buy a cow, goats, and build a house. Now my life is good with hope of continued improvement,” she said happily.
Ms. Luhende’s statement is echoed by Telezia Lazaro, another widowed woman who is a TASAF beneficiary.
“TASAF has rescued me from the poverty trap. I have stopped going to bed hungry. My children have school uniforms and can go to school comfortably,” she said.
The Village Chairman of Silimuka, Mr. Michael Lilo, promised to provide full cooperation to ensure that the achievement is replicated in other households.
