26 September 2005
Magugu
Magugu Area Development Programme (ADP) started in 2005. It is located in the Babati Division of Tanzania, north of Dodoma. The ADP consists of 14 villages and has a population of over 57,000 people mainly from the Mbugwe, Iraks, Barbaig and Maasai tribes.
As the ADP lies in the Great Rift Valley, the landscape features hills, steep cliffs and broad plains.
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 Magugu ADP
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Education
There are 24 primary schools and two secondary schools. Seventy per cent of children enrol in primary school, but only 15 per cent go on to secondary education. There is a shortage of books and desks and some classes meet outside under trees.
The ADP builds new classrooms and provides books and desks. It holds refresher training workshops for teachers, principals and educational committees.
Health
The one health centre and 11 dispensaries within the boundaries of the ADP lack the facilities, staff and supplies to serve the population adequately. Preventable diseases like malaria, diarrhoea and measles are life threatening and maternal and infant mortality rates are high. Sexually transmitted infections are common and HIV/AIDS affects a large number of people; the use of unsterilised equipment during female genital mutilation increases their spread. Few people understand hygiene and sanitation practices and the little water available in the area is unsafe for drinking.
The ADP trains village health workers in primary health care and traditional birth attendants in safe hygienic practises. Through community education, the ADP aims to put an end to the practice of female genital mutilation (also known as female circumcision – this involves the removal of some of a girl’s genitalia).
The ADP is establishing a mobile HIV/AIDS clinic. It trains community groups to care and support people living with HIV/AIDS, families affected by the virus, orphans and vulnerable children. Workshops for primary school teachers train them to educate their classes in HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention.
Water user groups are being formed and trained to maintain water sources. The use of rainwater harvesting tanks is promoted and more wells and boreholes are being constructed.
Agriculture
About 80 per cent of the population of Magugu work in agriculture and raising cattle, goats, sheep and poultry. Food crops include rice, sorghum, maize, beans, sweet potatoes and cassava. Groundnuts, sunflowers, sugarcane, rice and cotton are grown for sale. Production per acre is very low and insufficient to support families, because of unreliable rainfall, poor water management, drought, environmental degradation and expensive agricultural inputs.
The ADP works with village agricultural workers and veterinarians to train community members in improved livestock production and modern farming methods including irrigation and soil conservation. It supplies improved seeds, equipment and fertilizer. In co-operation with local government authorities, the ADP grows seedlings to plant around the community.
Income generation
Many people sell the bulk of their harvest which contributes to food insecurity. The ADP trains mentors to educate people in improved methods of income generation. The mentors assist community members to learn productive activities, management skills and bookkeeping and link up with markets and credit facilities.
Community leadership
The ADP trains committees in project management, evaluation and accounting. At least one-third of each committee is women. Children learn leadership skills and are encouraged to participate in planning and implementation of community development activities. Children’s committees are being formed and trained to promote and protect child rights.
Sustainable development
It is envisaged that by September 2019 Magugu’s leaders will be resourced and able to continue managing development initiatives without World Vision’s direct assistance. We will keep you updated on the their progress.
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