Our
Innovations
The name WAHI is an abbreviation of two Swahili words “Wa”-Watoto and “HI” Hisa simply means “Children and Savings”. Apparently, mushrooming of microfinance has become an angle where poor people, most in need and marginalized one can access small loans and repay back. WAHI FS Co Ltd is meant to address microcredit limitations to a lowly resourced community with better and ability microloan performance. The company focuses on the role of credit officers as an important means of dealing with asymmetric information on micro financial intermediation.
The WAHI FS Co.Ltd commenced its business operation in 2015 as a community company limited by guarantee under the company act (Cap 212) to implement its objectives on the matter related to economic empowerment to its members of low income in Mwanza. The Organization is based in Bugogwa ward Ilemela district of Mwanza region currently with a permanent office at the Community Resource and Training Center premises –Nyamwilolelwa.
However WAHI – Financial services Co Ltd has gone through several stages since 2009 where by the company started as a CBO, It was initially formed by members of Community Managed Micro Finance groups which have been in operation since 2009 with a goal of improving ECD services in the communities served by TAHEA Mwanza. The establishment of WAHI Financial Services came as a need during the operation of CMMF program with the intention of serving Community Managed Micro Finance groups at an APEX level (at Ward level which comprises of 29 sub villages/ Mitaa) by facilitating bigger loans and microfinance services which could not be provided at group level. It was officially established in 2013 with 52 founder members during TAHEA Mwanza intention to exit its capacity building services to the groups.
Tanzania Home Economics Organization having worked in the Fishing communities for a number of years has been asking themselves why families in fishing communities have low priorities on Toilet/ Latrine construction. And why do schools latrines are not user friendly to children? Currently TAHEA has realized that holistic approach to development has better outcomes than single handedly projects which focus on one issue, in most cases there are more cause-effect issues which when neglected, affect project implementation as people do not live in isolation and many things around them are inter-related. Another lesson learnt is, collaboration and networking is key to the success of development projects, it helps to increase human and non human resources while utilizing the available expertise.
In regard of the above scenario, the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF), the Touch Foundation and the School of Public Health at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) of Mwanza have initiated a new Community Based Research Project (the Project), an elective course which aims to connect CUHAS Medical Doctor students with Community Based Organizations (CBOs)/ Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the Lake Zone to improve links between student research and community projects currently implemented on the ground. This was an opportunity for Tanzania Home Economics Organization to link with the TOUCH Foundation partnership in finding solutions to her community challenges, especially in looking for answers which will inform our Community interventions.
- School Sanitation Intervention project is a project which has been enriched by evidence from the field through researches conducted by CUHAS students through TAHEA Community Engagement partnership with TOUCH Foundation and the School of Public Health at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) of Mwanza who have initiated a new Community Based Research Project , an elective course which aims to connect CUHAS Medical Doctor students with Community Based Organizations (CBOs)/ Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in the Lake Zone to improve links between student research and community projects currently implemented on the ground. In 2014 four Students researched on the following topics:
Assessment of ethnic preferences to latrine construction and proper use. (a case of Bugogwa and Sangabuye wards). - Assess hygienic practices in respect of availing hand washing facilities as part of Latrine use among rural households(a case of Bugogwa and Sangabuye wards).
- Assessment of structural fitness of pit latrines at household level (a case of Bugogwa and Sangabuye ward)
- Assess hygienic practices among school children as regards to toilet use and maintenance at pre-primary and primary school levels(a case of Bugogwa and Sangabuye wards).
TPAIDS is an acronym for Train, Practice, Assess, Intervene, Document and Share. It is an innovative approach to improve Numeracy and Literacy skills among children, target groups being children in child care centers, pre-primary schools and class 1 in Ilemela and Nyamagana districts.
The Assumption that “Inadequate Basic Numeracy and Literacy skills in Childcare Centers, Pre Schools and Class 1 are contributing to inadequate learning in Primary Classes in Tanzania” has led TAHEA Mwanza to design TPAIDS Approach with the belief that improving Basic Numeracy and Literacy skills among young children can improve Numeracy and Literacy skills among children in Primary Classes and later in their transition to higher levels of education.
Tanzania Home Economics Organization (TAHEA – Mwanza) has the pleasure of sharing her TPIDS Brief on Improving Numeracy and Literacy Skills among Young Children. During this period we share among other things our results after training of the targeted Teachers/ Para Teachers and their transfer of the knowledge and skills in their classroom practices with young children.
Training the participating groups to strengthen the literacy and numeracy skills in young children. Teachers were given time to practice with children in class 1, pre-primary and child care centers using the gained skills and knowledge from the training sessions. For more information please download the available TPAIDS Briefs as listed from the right side of the page