Transforming Lives: The Success Story of Msimbati Peace Club

  

By Dr Fatma Waziri

In the coastal of Mtwara region, Msimbati Bay, the Msimbati Peace Club has emerged as a ray of positive change through their innovative peace dividend project.

The transformative initiative is part of the Dumisha Amani Project, which has now successfully concluded its first phase of implementation.  The project has been implemented jointly by Global Peace Tanzania and the Prime Minister’s office funded by UNDP in Tanzania. 

Focused on the sustainable livelihood of the community while promoting peace, the club members have effectively engaged in the buying and selling of fresh fish and sardines from the Indian Ocean . The proactive approach, marked by aggressive market strategies and branding initiatives, sets them apart as they proudly bring their sardines and fish, dried by the warm embrace of sunlight, to the market.

The club is formed by nine members of which 5 are women and 4 are men. Among the 3 peace clubs involved in the fish project, the youth of Msimbati Dumisha Amani  Peace club have demonstrated exceptional dedication and effort, showcasing a remarkable journey from despair to hope. They also, exemplify a spirit of resilience and determination in reinforcing their role as leaders in promoting peace and sustainable development.

Their journey is among powerful testimony to the success of the DumishaAmani project in the three region of Lindi, Mtwara, and Ruvuma. These young individuals are not only securing a sustainable livelihood but also leaving an indelible mark on their community, proving that peace, innovation, and economic progress go hand in hand.

"We are grateful to the support we have received from UNDP through GPF Tanzania, our business is thriving both in Msimbati and beyond. We are receiving numerous orders from Tandahimba, Nanyamba, and Mtwara, as well as Songea, and Newala. We make sure to safely deliver our goods to our customers," shares the Msimbati Peace Club, chairperson Juma Kambanga

"So far, within just two months, we have made a profit from our business. With this profit, we have initiated new ventures for sustainability and growth. We have established a small fresh vegetable shop (gege) selling tomatoes, potatoes, onions, okra, and ginger in bulk, selling them at our shop in Msimbati," he added.

Looking forward, they envision themselves self-sufficient in five years, "expanding our business, opening markets, and setting up stands in places like Mtwara town, Songea, and Nachingwea. Additionally, on a personal and family development level, we plan to purchase a large piece of land in Msimbati, divide it among ourselves, and name it the 'Msimbati Peace Club Land,'" Said Kambanga

The ambitions and determination to success colours their story whilst illustrating how Dumisha Amani project has significantly instilled a sense of purpose and unity among the youth of southern region boarding Mozambique which are prone to VE. They serve as living proof that when given the right tools and opportunities, the youth can lead the way towards positive transformation. 

‘KALAMU’ YA KIBOSHO ILIVYOZALISHA WASOMI NA MAPROFESA

 

'Kalamu' ikiwa nchini wakati mwandishi akiendelea na mazungumzo na mfanyabiashara huyo

Na Deogratius Temba, 

KALAMU sio kitu kipya kwa watu wote, unaposikia neno ‘Kalamu’ kinachokujia kichwani ni ile inayotumika kuandikia kwenye karatasi au sehemu nyingine.

Huko Kibosho Moshi,mkoani Kilimanjaro, wanawake wafanyabiashara wadogo wa ndizi mbivu, wanaotokea maeneo ya Kibosho Kirima , kwao kalamu ni  aina ya Kibox ambacho hutumika kubeba ndizi mbivu, kilichotengenezwa kwa ustadi mkubwa na fundi seremala kwaajili ya kumwezesha kujitwisha kichwani na kusafiri nachO hadi Moshi mjini kwaajili ya kuuza ndizi. Kalamu hutumika kutunza usalama wa mikungu ya ndizi siziharibike.

Mwandishi akiinyanyua 'Kalamu'tayari kwaajili ya kumtwisha ili aendelee na mizunguko 

Hivi karibuni, wakati wa mapumziko ya sikukuu za Noeli (Krismas), nikakutana na Mama anayeitwa Maria Modest, ambaye ni mwenyeji wa Kibosho - Kirima masoka ambaye anaitumia ‘kalamu’ kuuzia ndizi zake.

Nilimuuliza, ni kwanini hii inaitwa ‘kalamu’? akasema “kwani hujui? Hii ilitumika tangu zamani sana, Bibi zetu ndio walikibatiza hiki kibox jina hilo” akasema Maria akifikiri kwamba mwandishi ni mgeni sana eneo hilo.

Mwandishi akimtwisha mfanyabiashara huyo 'kalamu'

Mwandishi: kwanini hao kina Bibi wa zamani, wajasiriamali walikiita jina hilo? Maria akajibu:  “ahaaaa, sasa ni kuambie, hao kina Bibi, walitusimulia kwamba walikiita hivyo kwa sababu walifanya biashara hii ya ndizi kwa kubeba kichwani na wakafanikiwa kuwasomesha watoto wao hadi wakafika vyuo vikuu”

Mwandishi:  ehheee! Hadi Vyuo vikuu kabisa? Ada inapatikana kwa hii biashara?

Maria: “ mhhhh, yaani mwanangu nikuambie, hata mimi ni shahidi, nimesomesha watoto wangu shule nzuri, wapo wawili, mmoja ameshamaliza Chuo Kikuu, na sasa amepata kazi, huyo mdogo wake yupo Chuo kikuu kingine, ninalipa ada shilingi 1,600,000 kwa biashara yangu hii, na mimi nina pata mahitaji yangu yote na matibabu” anaeleza maria kwa kujiamini.

Lakini maria anaeleza kwamba, wanawake wengi  hapo awali hawakuamini kwamba biashara ile ya kubeba ndizi kichwani itawakomboa, lakini kwa kuona wanawake wa Kibosho –Kirima Boro waliofanikiwa waliamua kuiga na sehemu nyingine.

Anaeleza kwamba, wakiwa wanashangaa wale wanaotokea maeneo ya Boro wanavyofanikiwa, wale wanaotokea maeneo ya Kirima Masoka, walikuja kuiga biashara hiyo na sasa wamefanikiwa sana.

“Mimi ninazaliwa kule Boro, lakini nimeolewa Masoka, kule Boro biashara hii ipo sana, wanawake karibia wote wenye afya nzuri wanafanya biashara hizi, upatikanaji wa ndizi mbichi kwaajili ya kufundika ni wa shida, lakini huku masoka ndizi zipo maana awali hakukuwa na ushindani mkubwa wa wanawake anaozifundika” anasema Maria.

Jitihada za wanawake wengi kufanya biashara kwa lengo la kujikombia kiuchumi zinafanikiwa kwa jinsi wao wenyewe wanavyoweka mtazamo chanya juu ya kile wanachokifanya wakiamini kwamba kitaleta tija. Suala muhimu ni serikali kuweka mifumo rafiki ya kuwawezesha kufanya biashara na kukutana na wateja wao bila kusukumwa, kunyang’anywa biashara zao na mgambo, au maafisa wengine.

TGNP yapendekeza Jeshi la Polisi kutojihusisha na uchaguzi

 

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP, Bi. Lilian Liundi, akiwasilisha mapendekezo ya Miswada ya sheria kwa mtazamo wa Kijinsia mbele ya Kamati ya Kudumu ya Bunge ya Utawala, Katiba na Sheria, Katika Ukumbi wa Pius Msekwa, Bungeni Dodoma

Na Deogratius Temba, Dodoma

Mtandao wa Jinsia Tanzania (TGNP), imependekeza jeshi la Polisi Tanzania kutojihusisha na shughuli za kusimamia masuala ya ulinzi na usalama wakati wa uchaguzi badala yake kuundwe kikosi maalum cha cha uchaguzi chini ya Tume ya taifa ya Uchaguzi kitakachohudumu  wakati wa mchakato wa uchaguzi pekee.

Mwenyekiti wa Bodi ya TGNP, Bi. Gemma Akilimali akiteta jambo na Msajili Msaidizi wa Vyama vya Siasa, Sisty Nyahoza, katika viwanja vya Bunge muda mfupi baada ya kikao cha Kamati ya Kudumu ya Bunge ya Utawala, Sheria na Katiba

Akizungumza wakati wa kuwasilisha maoni na mapendekezo ya maboresho ya miswaa mitatu (3), ambayo ni Mswada wa Sheria ya Tume ya Taifa ya Uchaguzi wa mwaka 2023, Mswada wa sheria ya Uchaguzi wa Madiwani, wabunge na Rais wa mwaka 2023 na mswada wa marekebisho ya sheria ya mambo ya Vyama vya siasa ya mwaka 2019, ambao umewasilishwa Bungeni Oktoba 10,2023.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP, Bi. Lilian Liundi, akiteta jambo na Mbunge wa Jimbo la Kishapu, Bonephas Butondo, katika viwanja vya Bunge

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP, Lilian Liundi, amesema kwama, ni vizuri Tume ya taifa ya Uchaguzi (NEC), ikaunda kikosi maalum cha kusimamia masuala ya usalama na ulinzi wakati wa uchaguzi, ambapo wahusika watajengewa uwezo namna ya kulinda usalama wa raia wote bila kusababisha changamto za uvunjivu wa Amani.

“.. Masuala ya ulinzi na usalama wakati wa uchaguzi ni lazima yajitokeze bayana katika sheria hii ili kudhibiti vitendo vya uvunjivu wa Amani, Tunapendekeza kifungu kipya  cha 69 (1) kutakuwa na kikosi maalum cha Polisi watakaofanya kazi ya kulinda Amani na Utulivu wakati wote wa uchaguzi, kifungu cha 169 (2) Tume iwapatie mafunzo polisi wote wa kikosi cha Uchaguzi kuhusu masuala ya mchakato  wa uchaguzi ikiwepo unyanyasanji na udhalilishaji wa kijinsia” alisema Lilian

Pia, TGNP imependekeza kwamba, kuwepo kwa kifungu kipya cha 169 (3) kitakachosomeka kwamba, Polisi wa kikosi cha uchaguzi watakula kiapo cha uaminifu, na uadilifu mbele ya Hakimu wa mahakama ya mwanzo kabla ya kuanza majukumu ya kulinda usalama kwenye uchaguzi,

Pendekezo lingine ni kwamba kuwepo na kifungu cha 169 (4) ambapo Kikosi cha Polisi cha Uchaguzi kitaundwa kwa misingi ya uwiano wa Kijinsi yaani wanawake na wanaume hasa vijana wa kike na kiume.