Youth with albinism in Morogoro trained in business skills

MOROGORO: THE Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) in Morogoro Region has empowered 70 young people with albinism by providing them with entrepreneurship training and start-up capital to help them establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Speaking over the weekend, the Regional Treasurer of TAS, Ms Aziza Dilunga said the programme aims to build the capacity of youth with albinism by equipping them with practical business skills in collaboration with various non-governmental organisations operating in the country.

She said the initiative was implemented through a partnership with the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project, supported by Swisscontact, which funded the training and start-up packages for the beneficiaries.

According to Ms Dilunga, 65 out of the 70 targeted youth successfully completed the training and were awarded certificates, start-up kits and business spaces (frames) from which, they can operate their enterprises.

She noted that the training focused on value-added food processing, including the production of nutritional flour, pilau masala, tea (chai) masala, ginger powder and other spice products marketed under the brand name Afya Mix. Ms Dilunga added that TAS, in collaboration with SET and Swisscontact, covered the three-month rent for the business spaces selected by the youth and provided equipment and start-up materials to help them grow their ventures.

“These entrepreneurship trainings are meant to empower our youth economically so they do not rely solely on donations. They should engage in productive activities to improve their lives,” she said.

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She added that the beneficiaries have already started operating their businesses and are producing and selling various products to customers.

For his part, the TAS Regional Chairperson, Hassan Mikazi said the organisation believes the project has great potential, provided the beneficiaries manage their businesses effectively.

“In my view, this is a very good project, especially if the youth remain committed.They underwent 28 days of intensive training that equipped them with management and entrepreneurial skills suited to their local environment,” said Mr Mikazi.

Mr Mikazi further said TAS will continue to monitor and support the trained youth groups, whose businesses are now legally registered and operate under formal constitutions. This, he said, enables them to access financial support and loans from various institutions.