UDF widens citizens’ knowledge of their roles and responsibilities

Unity in Diversity Foundation (UDF) of Mbeya region is one the civil society organizations which has managed to enable people understand that they are the destiny of their own development.

This has been made possible through the training which was conducted by UDF.  UDF aims at enhancing people’s levels of knowledge, mobilising them and facilitating linkages among them. The organisation has also undertaken identification of professionals who are not permanently employed and providing them with more training in the areas of their expertise, thereby facilitating them to contribute their knowledge in development initiatives.

With funding of Tshs. 20,287,500/= from the Foundation for Civil Society, UDF conducted training to citizens in Mbeya on their rights and duties. The training made people sensitised to contribute to development activities in their areas.

“We are now constructing classrooms of secondary school without being forced by anyone as it used to be in the previous. The classrooms constructed at Ilomba secondary school are results of peoples’ efforts. The government helped us only in roofing the rooms.” testified Ms. Dorothea Lazar of Tonya Street.

Also UDF in collaboration with the residents has constructed a nursery school, where now children are attending studies. Other projects which came out of UDF project include the construction of the primary school and the dispensary in which UDF secured funds from the Holy Ghost Fathers, the Missionaries in Arusha. In these projects, residents contributed by making bricks and collecting sand as part of building materials. 

As a result of the efforts by UDF in the community around for, residents have voluntarily offered UDF a total of 30 hectare for constructing village dispensary, secondary and primary schools.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Fidelia Haule states that by participating in a seminar organised by UDF, she has become confident and ready to fulfil her obligations. She said that she has become more willing to contribute in development activities and to participate in community meetings than before. 

She commended UDF saying that the organisation is also doing a lot in support to the vulnerable people in the community. For instance, she said, the organisation has provided bicycles, food, clothes and shoes to people with disabilities, old persons and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Other development partners and stakeholders working with UDF include Mbeya Non Government Organisations Network (MBECINGONET), Free Wheelchairs Mission (USA), Tanzania Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mbeya HIV/AIDS Tanzania, Forest Action Network – Kenya, Ok Tree, Mbeya Hope for Orphans and Rwanda Parish of Roman Church.