Poland in Tanzania

Statistically, in the area of Mtae village in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, only 14-20% of children pass their primary school final exams, being a condition to continue their education in a secondary school. Most children finish their education at the age of 13-14, without acquiring any profession that would actually allow them to earn their living. This applies in particular to young girls, whose situation is even more difficult here.

While in the region the traditional forms of employment (motorcycle drivers, shopkeepers, farmers) are still reserved mainly for men, the only future of an average girl continues to be an early marriage (often long before the age of 18) and motherhood - which often involves life- and health-threatening teenage pregnancies. Women are most often financially dependent on men – apart from small retail sales at fairs – and have no real prospects for self-development or independence.

The main goal of the workshop (manufacture) is to offer a form of employment to girls and women who have finished their education at a primary level, without a chance for continuation. Thus, it is intended to increase their chances of escaping the traditional circle of roles that prevent their self-development and gaining financial independence, but also to rise their opportunities to participate in the economic development of the region. Additionally, production requiring the regular supply of fruit provides real earning opportunities for women selling fruit in the Mtae region.

The factory building should be completed by the end of this year, as the construction works are already at an advanced stage. Equipment enabling the start of production has already been purchased, and, among others, training of the administrative group on entrepreneurship, marketing and accounting has been organized. A training for project participants on how to use a fruit dryer will follow soon. The assisted production will begin under the supervision of trainers and project coordinators as soon as mangoes appear on the market (probably in early December).

The project implementation site was visited by the Consul of the Republic of Poland Wojciech Łysak who met its coordinators: Ms. Dagmara Ikiert and Mr. Abdulkadir Kaniki, as well as girls and women from the Usambara Mountains working on site and a Polish volunteer supporting the project. He congratulated everyone on their huge commitment to the project.