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These women are the poorest of the poor. It is not possible to involve them in our WID/SCS program because of their illiteracy and lack of self-confidence. Therefore, literacy programs and Gender Development Sensitization (GDS) programs are being provided. When the women have the basic literacy skills mastered they will graduate into the Women in Development (WID) and the Savings and Credit Scheme Program (SCS).
First Phase:Recruitment: The staff of Caritas-DSM introduce themselves and the Program to the local government leaders. A public meeting is called and villagers are introduced to the program. The villagers who want to participate then register. If a local school is nearby classes are held in the school, if not the villagers construct a classroom. Literacy Classes are intended specifically for rural areas.
Classes are currently being held in the Villages of Mkamba, Chekeni Mwasonga, Kimbiji, Vikuruti and Ruvu with a total of 185 participants 20% of whom are men and 80% women.
The first six months basic literacy skills are taught, i.e., reading, writing, and simple maths. The second six months basic literacy skills are integrated into every day life experiences, i.e., agriculture, health, nutrition, childcare, and environment thereby achieving the secondary goal of developmental education.
Gender Development Sensitization (GDS) is also presented to the participant in the
Literacy Program. Literacy Class participants propose what is to be included in the GDS Workshops, e.g., leadership was proposed to be a major topic: their own involvement in leadership and local government leadership was a priority issue with the villagers. The GDS Workshops are open to all villagers.
As a result of these Workshops the villagers met
with local government officials. The meeting was unsatisfactory so they requested a meeting with the Regional Commissioner. This second meeting was successful and has led to a commitment on the part
of the Regional Leadership to building a 3-class room school, teacher’s house, and other school facilities. At the present time if children of the villagers want an education they are forced
to walk 8 kilometers to the nearest Primary School and 8 kilometers back to the village. The children face many dangers on the way, especially the girls.Another positive result of Caritas-DSM’s activity is that other donors have taken an interest in the village and water wells are being dug. One is close to the proposed school site.
Second Phase:
Appropriate Technology is another component which is intended to support the new literates in improving agricultural activities. The introduction of water pumps to be used in existing natural water sources for the purpose of improving the quality and quantity of their crops. The use of this technology would ensure crop production year round, not only during the rainy seasons. Methods of irrigation are an essential part of this appropriate technology. To date each village has been presented with one pump.
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Literacy Program | |
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Single Mothers' Enpowerment | |
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