Single mother breathes sigh of relief after legal intervention

DAR ES SALAAM: WHEN Hamida Said, a resident of Tandika in Temeke District, separated from her husband two years ago, she was left to shoulder the full burden of raising their children alone.

Despite repeated efforts by social welfare officers to intervene, the children’s father refused to provide any form of support, pushing Hamida to the verge of seeking legal redress.

However, her situation took a positive turn when she learned about the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign being conducted in Mbagala.

“I came here on Tuesday and was asked to provide his contact information. He was summoned and we both received guidance from legal officers,” she explained.

“He admitted his faults and now I believe my children will finally receive the support they deserve.” Ms Hamida’s story is one of many that reflect the tangible impact of the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign a government initiative aimed at offering free legal services and official documentation to underserved communities.

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Currently taking place at Ma turubai Grounds in Mbagala, the campaign is being implemented in collaboration with the Registration, Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA).

Another beneficiary, Ms Mariam Musa from Kisevule, said she finally managed to secure a birth certificate for her child a task she had postponed due to misinformation.

“I was told the process was long and difficult, so I gave up. But I came here and received the certificate the same day,” she said.

Ms Mariam urged fellow parents to take advantage of the opportunity before the campaign concludes. Ms Fatma Mzee, a resident of Mbagala, also benefited by correcting her children’s records.

“My children only had birth notification slips that were about to expire. I worried it would be expensive to get proper birth certificates. But through this campaign, I got everything done easily and affordably,” she said.

Besides registration, the campaign offers legal education and family mediation services.

According to RITA’s Public Relations Officer, Mwanakada wa Mwitta, the team has already served over 500 people at the Mbagala site, processing more than 30 birth certificate applications.“We have also successfully resolved five disputes involving inheritance and marriage,” Mr Mwitta said.