Virtues for Holistic Child Development in Tanzania

PROGRESS OF THE VIRTUES PROJECT IN TANZANIA

Background:

The worsening of moral degradation in Tanzania has contributed to the intensity of corporal punishment to extent of parents resulting into using severe physical and psychological violence against their own children such as burning of hands, locking their children in wardrobes, beating to loss of consciousness etc. The schools have been no better where children would be beaten to unconsciousness or caused physical harm. This calls for well planned scaling up of the virtues project across Tanzania targeting a sample of parenting groups and schools and document the inception and outcomes to be able to develop model schools and parents of which communities and government authorities can learn from.

Recent steps we have taken:

• We have been able to receive financial support to translate the Virtues Cards and Virtues Project introduction materials into Swahili for easy training of Swahili speaking parents who are a majority.
• The materials have been reviewed and now we are organizing a group of teachers and coordinators who are working with parents’ groups and children to go through a testing training.

The next steps will be raise funds to print a certain number of cards packs and materials and pick few schools and parenting groups in one of the district and start piloting in collaboration with social welfare officers of the government and start documentation of the way the process is unfolding.

Thank you for your charitable support which has enabled us to translate the materials needed to give parents and teachers positive alternative tools to violence.  Your continued support will help us to print cards and teaching materials and help us expand our training and testing in collaboration with the government of Tanzania.  Help us bring evidence to the government so that The Virtues Project can be implemented throughout the country of Tanzania with government funding.