Nakombo Project, Tanzania

See the progress you helped make happen in your sponsored community

When the project started, there were high rates of disease and child malnutrition. Many parents couldn't provide their children with enough nutritious food or pay for school uniforms and books.

Thanks to your support, your sponsored child and other children in the Nakombo community have improved access to quality education, good healthcare and nutritious food and their families have more opportunities to earn income.

 

Before your help, many children were learning outside under trees due to overcrowding and a lack of classrooms. Following construction of new classrooms, there is room for all children to learn indoors.

Together we've achieved so much

By 2016, less than one percent of girls were dropping out of school

This is down from 5.3 percent in 2006.

  • Classroom construction and provision of desks and text books have helped to improve the learning environment in local schools and motivate more children to attend classes. 
  • A school lunch program has been set up to improve children’s nutrition and ensure they have energy to concentrate in class. In 2018, some 200 parents were contributing to this program that was benefiting 9,450 students.  
  • Parents have learned about the importance of education for their children’s wellbeing and future prospects.

The child immunisation rate reached 92.6 percent by 2016.

This is up from 83.9 percent in 2012.

  • Families gained improved access to health services and information after the project worked with the government to improve health centres and conduct mobile health clinics.
  • Children are better protected from malaria following the distribution of mosquito nets and a widespread malaria prevention awareness program.
  • 23 community health workers were trained how to implement a child nutrition program that has contributed to decreases in the percentage of children under five who are underweight and showing signs of growth stunting.

Almost two-thirds have families have clean water within 400 metres of home

Natural springs have been protected, wells drilled and rainwater tanks erected.

  • 10 rainwater tanks and 35 water filters have been supplied to schools in the project area, increasing access to clean water for 8,750 students. 
  • Five irrigation dams and irrigation canals have been established to improve farmers’ access to water for crop production. This has enabled them to grow a greater variety of foods including maize, beans, bananas, sunflowers and vegetables.  

"I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your commitment and support … Your generous contribution helped make our vision a reality."

- Gloria Mashingia, Nakombo Area Program Manager

Water changes everything

Lack of water for irrigation was a key challenge for farmers in the Nakombo community. Abdulla, a father of four, said this often left families like his without enough food or income to meet their needs. 

Construction of an irrigation dam and irrigation canals in his village – made possible by generous donors like you – has made a world of difference.  

“Last season I planted two acres of tomatoes and harvested four tonnes of tomatoes and sold them in the local market and in big cities like Dar es Salaam,” said Abdulla, pictured here in his tomato field. His income has increased from an average of $130 per month to $425 per month. 

With more water available, the number of farmers in his area growing vegetables has jumped from 50 to 240. This has helped to improve children’s nutrition and provide families with a vital new income source. 

“Before I used to cultivate during the rainy season only. But now I can use my farm throughout the year by changing the type of crops in order to maintain the soil as we were trained by the project.” 

Construction of an irrigation dam and irrigation canals in his village – made possible by generous donors like you – has made a world of difference.  

“Last season I planted two acres of tomatoes and harvested four tonnes of tomatoes and sold them in the local market and in big cities like Dar es Salaam,” said Abdulla, pictured here in his tomato field. His income has increased from an average of $130 per month to $425 per month. 

With more water available, the number of farmers in his area growing vegetables has jumped from 50 to 240. This has helped to improve children’s nutrition and provide families with a vital new income source. 

“Before I used to cultivate during the rainy season only. But now I can use my farm throughout the year by changing the type of crops in order to maintain the soil as we were trained by the project.” 

"Through the income of tomatoes, I have been able to pay school requirements for my four children. Also, I have increased my farm from two to four acres and also I plan to open a new watermelon farm."

- Abdulla, farmer from Nakombo