The Nkoma community programme
The Nkoma community development progamme reaches six villages in
Tanzania's Shinyanga region, with a total population of 43,000.
World Vision's partnership with Nkoma started in 1998 and is
envisaged to continue until 2013, as the community is now almost
fully equipped with the resources and skills to take ownership of
its own development. In the past year, positive changes have been
made in the areas of food security and agriculture, and throughout
the entire project, significant improvements have been made in
education area.
Issues covered: Education, food
security and agriculture
Updates on World Vision's work
Food security and agriculture
- 100 farmers were trained in better management of their dairy
cows, helping not only to increase milk production, but also
families' income and nutrition.
- 110 farmers were trained in modern farming methods to help them
produce more crops and ensure food security during the long dry
seasons.
Education
- Improving the quality of education over the past 11 years has
resulted in an increase in the enrolment of primary school children
from 50 per cent to 99 per cent.
- During the same period, school attendance has improved from 52
per cent to 95 per cent.
The Nkoma community is in the fifteen year of its development
journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Nkoma
Kiwis help to establish new health centre
The new Nkoma health centre provides
modern, accessible and safe healthcare, especially to women and
children.
"We thank God and our World Vision New Zealand supporters for
the Nkoma health centre. Before, we had to walk or use expensive
transport to the Bariadi or Maswa district hospitals, 40km away."
Speaking is Eunice Mahaja of Ng'wang'wita village, who is overjoyed
about the brand new Nkoma health centre. "My children and I are
already receiving treatment at the outpatients' department, and I
can see that pregnant women will experience safe deliveries in the
new maternity ward." Now that work on the health centre is
completed, World Vision is working with the Bariadi district
council to drill a bore hole for water supply and complete wiring
for electricity supply to the entire health centre. Currently, a
hand pump is available to pump water, and the outpatients'
department, mortuary and maternity ward already have power. Also in
collaboration with the district council, the health centre was
equipped with standard hospital beds, mattresses, bedside lockers,
blankets, bed sheets and mosquito nets. "God bless World Vision,"
says Eunice.
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.
