Tanzania

Sustainable Community Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Uganda and Tanzania
The Salvation World Service Organization
April 2005 - April 2010

In Tanzania and Uganda Pact has joined with Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO), in an integrated program of community counseling, psycho-social support and income generation and empowerment for female caregivers of orphans and other vulnerable children through WORTH.

With funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Pact's WORTH program is helping reduce the great impact that HIV/AIDS has on affected households and children. The project goal is to increase the income and entrepreneurial skills of 12,500 women caring for orphans or vulnerable children. In Tanzania, 5,000 caregivers are being reached in the Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Kagera regions, while in Uganda 4,000 women in Mbale district caring for vulnerable children are currently participating in WORTH and 3,500 more will begin the program shortly. In both countries, high HIV prevalence rates and a growing number of deaths challenge extended family and communities to cope with the increasing demand on resources.

Emerging results

WORTH women in Tanzania are actively pursuing opportunities to reach out to orphans, vulnerable children and caregivers. Groups have organized large community awareness raising events, coordination of food distribution for OVCs and their families, and fundraising activities to provide further support for OVCs.

260 WORTH groups have been formed Tanzania and include over 6,680 women. Overall, these groups have collectively saved over 35 million Tanzanian Shillings.