This programme works primarily with pastoralist communities in Mvomero District to reduce language barriers and long journeys to school. SAWA built 2 ECD centres, at Matangani and Vianzi, both recognised as satellite schools by Mvomero District Council. Monthly mobile clinic visits to Vianzi Village improve access to maternal and child health services.
Provision of a Borehole at Matangani Early Childhood Development Centre
Mela is a remote, dry village in Mangae Ward, where more than 95% of residents are from pastoralist communities. Limited rainfall and water shortages mean women and children spend considerable time searching for water, reducing time for caregiving and school attendance. Safina Women’s Association, in partnership with Firelight Foundation, supported a borehole at Matangani Hamlet in Mela Village. It provides water for preparing children’s lunches at the centre and meets domestic water needs in surrounding communities.
Strengthening Mother and Child health at Vianzi and Matangani
Economic empowerment groups in Vianzi and Matangani help women and men strengthen household income and provide quality care for their children. The programme supported 2 groups in Vianzi and 3 in Matangani to assess viable household activities and mobilise self-help initiatives for ECD centres. A total of 100 members received entrepreneurship training in raising improved breeds of local chickens and pigs that are more productive and disease-resistant. The intervention aimed to increase household income from 10% to 20%.
Provision of desks at Vianzi/Matangani ECCEs and Kibaoni Primary school
Training paraprofessional teachers from the Masai community is part of SAWA’s work to improve access to quality education. In the previous year, 12 teachers and 6 caregivers received training in child-friendly teaching methods. In 2016, 14 of the 16 targeted teachers were trained to prepare schemes of work and lesson plans and complete subject logbooks. This strengthened teaching skills and helped teachers deliver lessons more systematically, supporting children’s learning.
SAWA's Secretary General presenting 65 desks to Mvomero District Commissioner for Kibaoni P/School and Matangani ECCEA
Improving learning environments at Matangani and Vianzi Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres Feeding programme at the centres
School meals encourage children to attend ECD centres and participate in learning. Parents were encouraged to contribute towards maize flour, cooking oil, salt and vegetables. To improve hygiene in food preparation at Matangani ECD Centre, Safina Women’s Association and Firelight Foundation of the USA renovated the kitchen and food store. The community supported the work by contributing local materials, including sand and bricks.
