Uzima

Holistically empowering families affected by HIV & AIDS.

Ilemela sits on the outskirts of Mwanza, Tanzania’s second largest city. Like the rest of the country, nearly half of the households there live below the international poverty line; on an income of less than $1.90 a day. The struggle to make ends meet places a huge strain on families, especially those impacted by HIV & AIDS.

Egmont Partner Uzima knows that a multifaceted approach is required to successfully combat the effects of poverty in the long term.

With support from Egmont, Uzima are training caregivers from vulnerable and HIV-affected households in financial management and setting up local savings and loan groups, providing access to credit, enabling them to sustainably build their incomes and meet their basic needs.

Out-of-school adolescents living with HIV are taking part in training with Uzima to identify their talents and start their own income generation activities, setting them on a path to becoming independent young adults.

Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and so primary and secondary school pupils from AIDS-affected families will be supported by the project with the supplies they need to excel at school as well as tutoring for those in secondary school.

Pupils are also being given solar lamps so they can independently continue their studies at home and develop the skills and knowledge they need to work towards a brighter future.

Finally, the project is supporting the caregivers of elderly people who are struggling to make ends meet to set up income generating activities to increase the ability of the families to care for their elderly relatives.