Enable 500 Tanzanian youth to feed their families

Zeze village current with the population approximately to be 10,000+ people, heavily depend on peasantry farming on an area of 2,874.5 Hectares on which as well settles are and with more than 10,600 animals.  Since the establishment of the village, there have been traditionally farming operated which have been making many families face food scarcity.  Unexpectedly, Mboni ya Vijana Group is distinguishing the values between improved and traditional farming methods in sustaining food and economical demands to Zeze community. The changes which are actively happening are unlikely to happen without the role played by donations through GlobalGiving regardless how smaller they have been. It is likely to the unseen power which shakes the earth and people witness. This statement is justified by the clients who are fed by improved farming scheme at Zeze village.

“I use only two acres of land to feed my wife, three children and two old parents. I had very poor yields before adapting Mboni ya Vijana training and support. From insufficient food through the year to surplus, from buying palm oil for cooking to the use and sell sunflower cooking oil, are the achievements which I did not expect in my life” – Jafari’s testimony during the visit 21^st May 2019. Jafari is a peasant at Zeze who benefits with improved farming under the project Feed 500 youth families at Zeze and he is maintaining sunflower and maize farms. He grows as well cassava and beans at a very small scale but improved.

Batho’s story is terrifying however it is impressive as he is managing the family that he wanted to run away from. Her wife Odilia got sick since July 2018 making Batho take care of their four kids two going to school while two staying at home. Batho says, “When I got family troubles I felt my life is devastated and will not improve anything. I spent small balance of money I had and did not know what to improve the future. Children cried for food, their mother need medicines and treatments and I wanted to work. I didn’t know what to do and was thinking of running away. I am happy now I am getting enough food to use for food and sell for some money. My wife is better now I can afford everything from the harvests”. This is a sad story that has the power of success in it.

“I cannot wait to become improved production adaptation ambassador in my community. Improved farming method is what is changing my life. People can’t understand how but the training and farming incentives have made my life better. I have now better house, Children in schools have no problems, family food is better than before and we have happy family with good clothes.”  Anneth the 32 years old single mother narrates. Farming is improving lives however land used are small in sizes as Anneth says. “I used to harvest small amount of crop on a small land (3.5 acres) because I used poor farming methods. Since I adapted improved methods in 2016/17 to 2018/19, I have skilled enough to be a symbol of change.”

Improvement in farming and crop production is leading historic improvement in industries and services at Zeze. Mboni ya Vijana is Building crops processing plant that will reduce the loss of crops after harvesting which will serve the interests of small farmers and food demands in the society. There will be the growth of markets and employments to youth and women at Zeze and other villages. Also transportation was very poor before the progress reached because there were very scarce goods to transport but now transportation is improving and likely to have electricity to support processing and services at Zeze.

The progress at Zeze that Mboni ya Vijana has caused, has recognized by Her Majesty The Queen of England who awarded the project leader with the Commonwealth Points of Light Award in early May 2019. The recognition of the job done at Zeze Village is not by grace but from the hard work done. The effects are now making Zeze the case study for sustainable development in Kasulu district and countrywide as a whole.

High birth rate and climate change in  rural Tanzania, press families to food insufficient and build sadness and stunted children. However it is the small scheme, we are feeding youth's families making them happy.

Vestina is a single mother of two little girls. She didn't know what to do with her children at the age they supposed to go to school. She had problems with feeding them then she is required to take them to school for education. She started chicken project at a small scale and developed slowly to middle scale. She developed it from 60 to 820 chickens and she can feed her children and buy school needs for them from the products of the chickens. Lilian is a standard four one of the two little girls who I talked to during the visit to her mother's project we supported and she says; "My mom is great and strong. She care us very well. I go to school and I get some money to buy cake and juice during school time from the money she earns from eggs. I respect chicken project because it gives us all things we want".

Seasonal farming has been the obstacle to overcome families food challenge. Boehole drilling and installation of rope hand pump to it, is the success that we are moving ahead to lead throughout the year food growing. "Water is the driver of food production and development as a whole, havind water access from the borehole at my farm will provide abudant food yields and income generation for my family." Biyuya said. We have drilled the borehole in March 2019 to provide water for irrigation at Biyuya's land and will provide room for enough food and income to his family and the others.

"I am happy because my family is happy because the children eat everyday with three meals, I would not be happy if my familly is not happy." Fransisko stated as was consulted. She adopted improved farming using better farming methods and is making huge harvests to feed her family. She feeds 9 children and supports two with education requirements.

"I am not on formal employment however this is the way I am getting self employed. The funds I recieved in February, i have injected it in pig farming. After 8 months I will earn 200,000 Tshs per each piglets exclussive." January said. He is a young person raising pigs at Zeze village. He started it with 4 pigs with the capital of 420,000 Tshs. He is keen to develop it for earning money and food from it after the period of 8 months from February 2019.