Tanzania: Over 1,400 poor Kilimanjaro households receive Sh1.5 billion Tasaf grants

Moshi. A total of 1,461 families in Moshi municipality are smiling all the way to the bank, thanks to Sh1.5 billion grants they have received from the Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf).

While about 200 households have opened income generation projects in poultry, goat rearing and mini-shops, some 300 families would use the money to boost production their farms.

Tasaf coordinator in the municipality Dennis Robert said here last week that the programme has not reached all the poor households but those already covered are happy with the support. They have opened small businesses.

He admitted, however, that many families in the municipality were still wallowing in poverty and that they may be reached by the programme in the coming phases.

Speaking during his visit to some beneficiaries of Tasaf projects, the Moshi District Commissioner Kippi Warioba urged them not to misuse the grants and instead spend them to improve their livelihoods.

Tasaf was initiated by the government in 2000 with phase one, which lasted to 2005, focusing on poverty reduction through improving the social and economic services in education, health, infrastructure and water services.

The second phase (2005 to 2013) addressed the social services as well as poverty through capacity enhancement of beneficiaries and institutions. It also targeted communities and households.

The ultimate aim of the World Bank-supported programme is to enable the poor households in Tanzania to increase incomes and opportunities while improving consumption.

Country-wide, the programme has managed to serve about 1. 1 million families.