The Bukene community programme
The Bukene community development programme is located in the
Nzega district, central Tanzania. World Vision works in 15
villages, with a total population of more than 22,580. World
Vision's partnership with Bukene started in 2004 and is envisaged
to continue until 2018, when the community will be equipped with
the resources and skills to take ownership of its own development.
In the past year, significant improvements were made in the areas
of food security and nutrition, and education.
Issues covered: Education, food
security and nutrition
Updates on World Vision's work
Education
- Improvements to the learning environment have resulted in a 90
per cent school attendance rate for girls and an 85 per cent rate
for boys
- In the past year, 280 pupils in five primary schools benefited
from new desks, and no longer have to sit on the floor to learn and
study
Food security and nutrition
- Improved farming methods in five villages have resulted in
surplus production of maize, rice, sweet potatoes and sorghum,
improving the nutrition and health of 1673 children. Surplus
produce is then able to be sold to for a small profit.
- 2030 women were educated on the importance of breastfeeding,
benefiting 150 infants, and 3522 children were reached with
nutrition support
The Bukene community is in the ninth year of its development
journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Bukene
A family flourishes on Mkombozi's milk
Mkombozi may just be an ordinary dairy cow, but her steady milk
production since 2006 has helped turn life around for Mr Telesphori
Mbuyu, his wife and children. This is Telesphori's story: "I thank
God for the benefits we have enjoyed from the cow we received from
World Vision. Now, I am able to cover family expenses and pay the
secondary school fees of my eldest daughter. My family's health,
especially that of my children, Annastazia, Deogratias, Mwamba,
Mwande and son Paschal [a World Vision New Zealand-sponsored
child), has improved since we started drinking Mkombozi's milk.
Every day, Mkombozi gives us 10 to 12 litres of milk. We keep three
litres for family use and sell the surplus. With the savings, I was
able to buy an ox plough, and I have planted maize. By using the
cow dung as fertiliser, crop production has improved. This year, I
will also be able to improve the family house. I feel proud that I
have gifted Mkombozi's first calf to another family to help them
achieve success. We appreciate the support of our New Zealand
sponsors."
Tanzania at a glance
The shouts of 'karibu', or 'welcome', which greet visitors to
Tanzania, speak of the long tradition of hospitality and
friendliness that characterises East Africa's largest country.
