PSSN transforms lives at Mvumi Mission

Many residents who once lived in poor shelters and strug- gled to afford three meals a day have now built decent homes and improved their livelihoods through the programme’s sup- port.

According to a recent re- port by TASAF Executive Director, Mr Tito Mganwa, the PSSN has not only enhanced housing conditions but also boosted school attendance and increased visits to health centres, as beneficiaries continue to meet the programme’s health and education requirements.

“Beneficiaries engaged in public works have acquired new knowledge and skills in resource utilisation particularly in agriculture—through the use of semi-circular bund structures. Their interaction with other community members has increased, and the sense of inferiority has greatly diminished,” he said.

He added that a 2.25-hectare grape demonstration farm has been established in the village to promote climate change resilience and serve as a training platform for knowledge sharing, after residents identi- fied agriculture as a key priority sector.

 “The demonstration farm integrates the digging of trenches as a climate change mitiga- tion measure while serving as a practical learning site for beneficiaries,” he explained.

The report further indicates that beneficiaries working on the project were paid a total of 11.46m/-, while the total project cost stood at 19.41m/-.

Mvumi Mission Village is among several in Cham- wino District implementing TASAF’s Public Works Pro- gramme (PWP)—a labour intensive component of the PSSN that enables beneficiaries to earn additional income through participation in community projects.

 “All beneficiary households are given the opportunity to work and earn extra income to meet their consumption needs during the lean season and safeguard their productive assets,” the report stated.

The PSSN aims to cushion households from seasonal and unforeseen shocks affecting their income and assets.

Beyond stabilising consumption, it also focuses on creating and improving community assets while enhancing beneficiaries’ skills.