Tanzania is one of Africa’s poorest countries with more than 30% of the population living below the national poverty line. This is despite significant economic and structural reform, political stability, reasonable past levels of growth and good donor support.
The Government’s poverty reduction targets include jobs, health, education and training, water and sanitation, and human rights. There is a particular focus on women, the young, people living with HIV/AIDS and disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Tools for Self Reliance, which started out as ‘Tools for Tanzania’, has been working in Tanzania for over 30 years, supporting blacksmithing and local tool production and developing technical skills in other areas such as sewing machine refurbishment and carpentry. We have helped thousands of small businesses in this way.
Tools for Self Reliance works with partners to get people out of poverty and into work. In Tanzania, our primary partnership is with SIDO – read more about them below.
Our partner in Tanzania is the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO). SIDO supports small-scale industries and micro-businesses by providing training, technical assistance, access to credit and other help. We have been working with SIDO across Tanzania for over 30 years to improve the livelihoods of carpenters, tailors, blacksmiths, auto-mechanics, builders, shoe repairers, plumbers and many more.
Visit their website to find out more.
If you are an organisation in Tanzania interested in working in partnership with Tools for Self Reliance, please contact us.
I feel strengthened by the machines and the training.
Eutropia Mbunda,
Mbinga Tailoring Group, Tanzania
