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TN Community Empowerment Organization was established in January 2008 to empower communities in Dodoma to fight against poverty and diseases, especially beggars and to establish projects for the purpose of raising funds to help vulnerable persons. The organization is governed by a board of governors and day to day management is under the Managing Director. The vision is to see marginalized people learn to provide for themselves without begging from other people. So in this endeavor TCEO will mobilize human, material and financial resources and use them efficiently and effectively for promoting the welfare of beggars, street children, and the disabled. The main cause of marginalization is poverty. Tanzania is among the poorest countries of the world, with a per capital income of less than US $ 300 per day. Most of her people live below the internationally defined poverty line of US 2 per day. It is in this environment that TCEO is planning to participate to solve the problems of vulnerable persons. Also Tanzania is among the countries with the highest number of AIDS patients. The Government has put in place an enabling environment deal with the AIDS pandemic, where the Central Government, local governments, NGO, CBO, FBO, donors, firms and individuals work together in various ways to combat the pandemic. These efforts are coordinated by TACAIDS. Poverty and HIV/AIDS contribute greatly in creating vulnerable persons. This in a country that is credited for being the most peaceful and democratic in the turbulent Great Lakes region, that has held general elections regularly at intervals of five years since 1961. The country is expected to be a middle income country by 2025 characterized by quality life; a strong, growing and competitive economy; good governance; an educated and learning population; and peace, unity and solidarity. The economy of Tanzania has been growing at around 7 per cent per year since 2002, the fastest growing sectors being mining, construction, and finance. Inflation has been below 5 % between 1999 and 2006, and began to increase to 7% in 2007 and jumped to 13. 3% per cent during the year ending February 2009. Poverty is broadly defined as a state of deprivation, denial of decent life, which includes exclusion, isolation, and vulnerability. Other dimensions of poverty are income poverty and food poverty. The Government has come up with many poverty reduction strategies, the most recent one being The National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) popularly known as Mpango wa Kukuza Uchumi na Kuondoa Umaskini Tanzania (MKUKUTA). This is an area which TCEO Establishment, Membership and Management The TN Community Empowerment Organization is a non- government, not for profit community based organization established in January 2008 to advocate a for improvement of standard of living, through the economic and social development of disadvantaged and marginalized groups, especially orphans, street children, drug addicts, in Dodoma. TCEO’s intervention will be in areas of conservation of the environment, health and will focus on the development of women. TCEO aims at empowering disadvantaged and marginalized groups by enabling them to conceive and implement projects for their own welfare. Membership to the organization is open to anyone who agrees with the terms and conditions of membership, and is truly sympathetic to the cause of the marginalized groups in the society, and agrees with the provisions of articles and memorandum if association. The organization is led by a Board of Governors but day to day management is under the Managing Director. He is assisted by the Chief Finance officer. These officers are appointed by the Board of Governors and their tenure of office is at the discretion of the Board of Governors. 1.2 Objectives The causes of, and failure by society to take appropriate care for orphans, street children, beggars and drug addicts; can be directly associated to poverty. TCEO will deal with some aspects of poverty alleviation. Consequently the main objectives of TCEO) are: To develop managerial, human and financial capacities of social based organizations to plan and implement projects and programmes for the marginalized. To implement programmes for the protection and conservation of the environment that is aimed at helping disadvantaged groups To advocate and lobby for development programmes for the marginalized. To develop capacities for disadvantaged groups to conceive ideas and programmes for their own development To undertake income generating activities that will generate funds to finance programmes and activities for marginalized people. To establish a financial scheme that will provide cheap loans to the disadvantaged. To identify development potentials in Tanzania that can be used by the disadvantaged themselves for their development 1.3 Vision and Mission Vision: Marginalized people are empowered to provide for themselves the basic needs of life Mission: To mobilize human, material and financial resources and use them efficiently and effectively for promoting the welfare of beggars, street children, the disabled, drug addicts. 1.4 Core Values: Responsibility: The organization will show responsibility in dealing with stake holders and in the management of human, material financial resources at its disposal. Transparency The organization will be transparent in all dealings, The public will have access to the accounts of the organization upon request. Dedication The organization is dedicated to the causes of the marginalized people and will strive to cultivate and promote dedication for all staff.

1.5 Board of Governors and Trustees TN Community Empowerment Organization (TCEO) was established and registered on the 13thMarch 2008 with registration number OONGO/0437. The head office is located in the heart of the business district in CCT building Dodoma, on the second floor, room no 28. According to the constitution of TCEO, the organization has a Board of Governors consisting of 5 to 7 persons drawn from a list of reputable institutions. It has a chair person and a secretary to the board. Other members of the board are Joseph Mwalugelo, Aaron Oberd, Matilda Kitali and Mwambene Willie James. Board of Governors reports to the members Assembly.. Currently the chairperson is a retired bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, (ELCT) Dr. Peter Mwamasika. Also it has a board of trustees. The current trustees are Rev Dr. Mtaita who is the Secretary General of the Christian Council of Tanzania, Rev Eng Anord S. Kileo, and Rev Kuwayawaya S.Kuwayawaya. Management of TCEO is under a Managing Director, assisted by the Chief Finance Officer. 2. MARGINALISED PEOPLE, THE FOCUS OF TCEO 2.1 Vulnerable Persons People are made venerable by being no body to take care of them when they are in need. This happens, in the case of children when both parents die. Also it happens in the case of old people when they can not fend for themselves and have nobody to help them. Malaria is the number one killer in Tanzania, but HIV/AIDS has received most attention because it is a killer disease that although it is relatively new, it has had devastating effects on families. In many instances has caused death of both parents, leaving children as orphans. Most vulnerable children (MVC) are those who because of lack of protection by parents or family members are exposed to life threatening risks of various types. Studies have shown these orphans are more vulnerable to sickness, malnutrition, physical maltreatment, illiteracy, unemployment, lost of inheritance, forced migration, homelessness, crime and increased exposure to HIV/AIDS. An understanding of the causes and the magnitude of the problems requires, first of all, a comprehension of the social –economic situation of Tanzania, especially poverty. All these problems are associated with or are aggravated by, lack of resources. Tanzania is rich in natural resources, has a youthful population, and yet it is ranked among the poorest nations of the world. She lacks resources to feed her people and this leaves them vulnerable to diseases, and lacks resources to treat her people once they fall sick. HIV/AIDS has been studied extensively and efforts to confront the problems are well coordinated by the Tanzania Commission on Aids (TACAIDS). The government and development partners have made significant investments to deal with the problem. The situation is complex and needs considerable human, material and financial resources to solve it, over a long period of time. The Government of Tanzania has realized the complexity of the problem and has seen that it requires the combined efforts of the various stake holders. TCEO is responding to Government’s call upon CSO, NGS, FBA to help in tackling the problem. A good understanding of the country’s social and economic background, of the dimensions of poverty, and of the genesis and seriousness of HIV/AIDS is required in order to find a place and a way to intervene. 3. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BACHKGROUND 3.1 Political and Social Environment Tanzania is a multiparty democracy since the passage of the Political Parties Act, 1992 by Parliament in June 1992. Presidential, general and local government elections are held regularly at five-year intervals since independence in 1961. The last local government elections were held in October 2009 and presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2010. The country is enjoying a fairly prolonged peace. Until November 2009 There was considerable political tension prevailing in Zanzibar between the two dominanant political parties – the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the Civic United Front (CUF) , but the leaders of the two parties in Zanzibar got together and decided to work together for the benefit of the country. Tanzania has a system of governance that respects the rule of law and protects human rights: a multiparty democracy that devolves power to local authorities and upholds accountability, transparency and ethical behavior in the conduct of public affairs, freedom of lawful association and worship. This is enshrined in the 1977 Constitution as amended from time to time. According to the 2002 population census 51.1% of the people of Tanzania are female. s such they are an important source of manpower and target for economic and social development. There is a political will to involve women in every aspect and at every level of economic and social activity. The Vision statement emphasizes gender balance in the ownership and exploitation of national resources and equity in the distribution of economic gains. Every year the Government publishes a three-year rolling Medium Term Development Plan (MTP) to guide all the stakeholders in the preparation of strategies for implementation of the Vision. The National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) popularly known as Mpango wa Kukuza Uchumi na Kuondoa Umaskini Tanzania (MKUKUTA) is the strategic framework for implementation of the MTP, involving the Government, the donors, civil society organisations and the private sector. Other strategies such as the Mpango wa Kurasimisha Rasimali na Biashara za wanyonge Tanzania (MKURABITA), the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Mini Tiger Plan address specific issues or areas of development contributing to the attainment of the Vision goals. 3.2 Economic Environment According to the Monetary Policy Statement issued by the Bank of Tanzania’s in February 2009, Tanzania’s economy grew by 7.5% in 2008, compared to an average 7% over the previous seven years. This is an achievement largely attributed to the successful economic reforms initiated in the mid-1980s. The fastest growing sectors include mining (15.7%), construction (11.4%), finance (9.8%), transport and communications (8.3%), manufacturing (8.2%) and trade (8.0%). By 1999 the double-digit inflation of the preceding decade had been successfully contained below 5%. According to the Bureau of Statistics the rate jumped to 7% in 2007 and 13.3% during the year ending February 2009, largely fuelled by an 18.6% increase in food prices during 2008 when other consumer commodity prices rose by a very moderate 4.9%. The global financial meltdown that started in the United states in September 2008 having big negative impact on Tanzania’s export and tourism sectors. The mainstay of Tanzania’s economy is agriculture, most of which is rainfed. It suffers from vagaries of weather. The global climate change is expected to impact negatively on Tanzania’s economy. Tanzania sees itself as a middle income country by 2025, as is envisioned in the National Vision 2025 promulgated in 1999 the country is expected to have: Quality life; A strong, growing and competitive economy; Good governance; An educated and learning population; and Peace, unity and solidarity. Vision 2025 states as its primary mission the eradication of poverty and protection of the economic and social rights of all citizens irrespective of their sex, race or faith. The role of the state, as set in the Country’s Constitution, laws and policies is to protect all members in society. . POVERTY, AIDS AND STREET CHILDREN The main causes of marginalization are to be found in poverty. Tanzania is among the poorest countries of the world. The organization will therefore address itself with issues of aids and street children, but they are all grounded in poverty. In dealing with these issues the organization will be led by national policies on poverty, aids and street children. 4.1 Poverty Reduction Strategy in Tanzania The definition of poverty is complex, multi-dimensional, wide scoped and dynamic. However, poverty is broadly defined as a state of deprivation, denial of decent life, which includes exclusion, isolation, and vulnerability. Other dimensions of poverty are income poverty and food poverty. Poverty at its broadest level can be defined as a state of deprivation prohibitive of decent human life. This is caused by lack of resources and capacities to acquire basic human needs as seen in many, but often mutually reinforcing parameters. These include malnutrition, ignorance, prevalence of diseases, squalid surroundings, high infant, child and maternal mortality, low life expectancy, low per capita income, poor quality housing, inadequate clothing, low technological utilization, environmental degradation, unemployment, rural urban migration and poor communication. The Government of Tanzania took steps aimed at reducing poverty immediately after poverty was identified as one of the three major enemies for our country. The other two enemies identified during that time were diseases and ignorance. However, of late some other problems have mushroomed, these are, namely: environmental degradation; rural-urban migration; over crowding in urban areas; high population growth that is not commensurate to economic growth; HIV/AIDS; gender inequality; income inequalities; etc. Just after independence, the Government put in place some public policies and measures to fight those three enemies. Education programmes were put in place to fight ignorance, both primary and adult education got highest priority. Secondary and tertiary education was also given a deserving attention. Health programmes were put in place to fight diseases. Basic health care, Mother and Child Health programmes, nutritional programmes were all promoted and strengthened for purposes of child survival, growth and development; child and maternal protection; disease prevention and cure. Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper in Africa and the rest of the developing world in general and Tanzania in particular is a new medium term funding mechanism for funding priority areas and sectors that have highest impact on poverty reduction. Selection of these priority sectors and their funding is as agreed upon by the respective Government Cabinets, Civil Society, Parliaments, Representatives of ordinary citizens, the World Bank and IMF Boards.

In Tanzania there have been many approaches to fighting poverty, and the keys issues that are being developed include: (i) address the problem of unemployment among youths and in the urban areas; (ii) arrest environmental degradation; (iii) stop the use of child labour; (iv) increase financial support (including through extra debt cancellation and other forms of international support) for programs aimed at reducing poverty;

(v) Develop rural financial mechanisms that meet the needs of the "small" farmer;
(vi) Develop "micro", small and medium enterprises; 

(vii) Inculcate a sense of self-reliance; (viii) Intensify efforts aimed at developing an enabling environment for the private sector; and

(ix) Facilitate the use of relevant research findings.

There is a National Poverty Monitoring Steering Committee (NPMSC) which includes representatives from all the relevant stakeholder groups. The Vice President's Office (VPO) plays a secretariat role to this committee. Since, poverty evaluation involves stopping now and again to review progress and decide whether or not the plan needs to be changed. Provisions are granted for participation at the implementation of the PRSP stakeholders in poverty monitoring and evaluation through participatory monitoring. Poverty monitoring and evaluation includes not only central and local government officials but also research institutions and university departments, development partners, civil society organizations and ordinary people.

4.2 HIV/AIDS in Tanzania In Tanzania the first three AIDS cases were reported in 1983 in Kagera region. By 1986 all the regions in Tanzania Mainland had reported AIDS cases. According to the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) data for 2007, out of the 38.3 million Tanzania inhabitants, 1.4 million people are currently living with HIV. The Impact The impact of HIV pandemic in the country has been expressed in different ways including the number of people who died as a result of HIV reached 140,000 in the year 2006, reduction of life expectancy from 51 years in 1988 to 46 years in 2002, increased burden of providing treatment and care support to PLHAs to both the government health sector and at household levels. For example, a household with a patient living with HIV spends ten times more on health than a family without. About 1.1 million children in Tanzania are orphans and vulnerable as result of HIV pandemic. The World Bank further predicts that the mean age of the working population (labour force) will decline from 31.5 to 29 years between 1992 and 2010. Policy on HIV/AIDS The overall goal of the National Policy on HIV/AIDS is to provide for a framework for leadership and coordination of the National multispectral response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There are specific objectives of the Policy and these are: a) Prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS i) To create and sustain an increased awareness of HIV/AIDS through targeted advocacy, information, education, and communication for behavior change at all levels by all sectors.

ii)  To prevent further transmission of HIV/AIDS through: 

(a) making blood and blood products safe, and (b) promoting safer sex practices through faithfulness to partners, abstinence, non-penetrative sex, and condom use according to well informed individual decision. (c) early and effective treatment of STIs in health facilities, with special emphasis on high risk behavior groups, and early diagnosis of HIV infection through voluntary counselling and testing

b) HIV Testing To promote early diagnosis of HIV infection through voluntary testing with pre-and-post test counselling. The main aim is to reassure and encourage the 85 - 90% of the population who are HIV negative to take definitive steps not to be infected. c) Care for PLHAs i) To provide counselling and social support services for PLHAs and their families. ii) To combat stigma and strengthen living positively iii) To provide adequate treatment and medical care through an improved health care system which aims at enhancing quality of life. iv) To establish a system of referral and discharge that links hospital services to community services in a sustainable complementary relationship. v) To ensure that the cost of counseling and home care is reflected in the National and Local Councils Budgets for Health Care and Social Welfare Services. vi) To involve and support communities in the provision of community based and home care services d)Enabling Environment The Government of Tanzania has provided an enabling environment for expansion and a scaled up HIV and AIDS multi-sectoral approach involving government ministries, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), bilateral and multilateral agencies, private sector and networks/associations of people living with HIV. TACAIDS provides overall coordination and monitoring of the multi-sectoral national HIV and AIDS response. Currently, the Tanzania Government is implementing the National HIV and AIDS Action Framework 2005-2009, which is focusing on prevention, behaviour change, care, support, treatment, mitigation; socio-economic and psychosocial support, mainstreaming, partnerships and capacity building, research and development, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, tracking and utilization, national policy, coordination and programme planning. HIV/AIDS and Poverty It has been well established that poverty significantly influences the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS. In many ways it creates vulnerability to HIV infection, causes rapid progression of the infection in the individual due to malnutrition and limits access to social and health care services. Poverty causes impoverishment as it leads to death of the economically active segments of the society and bread winners leading to reduction in income or production. 4.3 Street Children The population of Tanzania is estimated to be 40.2 million people. Children under 15 are about 17 million and constitute about 44% of the population, and are equally divided between males and females. The population growth rate is 2.9 per cent (2008 Estimates). There has been an increase in street children numbers in urban centers since the early 1990s due to the impact of poverty on households and the effect of HIV/AIDS. The urban population is estimated at about 26%. Widespread poverty impacting on rural-urban migration; widespread unemployment; family breakdown; lack of non-formal education opportunities; difficulties of providing street children with opportunities to support themselves in formal employment; traditional nonintervention in family violence; inadequate juvenile justice system and lack of mechanisms to document and report police abuses; few organizations specializing full-time in street children. Of late several NGOs have been preoccupied with the problems of street children, some providing home based care and some providing temporary relief for the children. There is a draft national policy on orphans and street children which favours home based care, by foster parents or close relatives, where the children have no parents. Centre-based residential approaches are not always suited to the needs of street children who find it hard to comply with rules. There is therefore need for more street-based and flexible programmes. Donor trends are currently overemphasizing ‘strengthening civil society’ at the expense of basic service provision. There is need for systematic, appropriate and holistic approach to street children by CSOs, government and donors; donors also reluctant to fund staff salaries and core costs which undermines stability of projects. The main cause of street children is poverty. Interventions that do not address the issue of poverty are likely to lack long term impact. 5. INTERVENTION BY TCEO The mission of TCEO to empower the marginalized people to fend for themselves, mainly by providing them with life skills. This will be done by conducting educational campaigns, providing street children with opportunities for better life through improved access education and teaching them life skills, providing them with basic requirements such as school uniforms, shoes, exercise books, pens and pencils, and food. For the programmed to be sustainable it needs to have secure sources of finance. Initially financial resources will be sought from sympathetic persons and institutions. However this source is not expected to be self sustaining because it is difficult to find donors who can support a cause for a long period of time. Very often it has been proved to be very frustrating when as source of finance dries up when implementation of a particular activity in a programme has not yet come to its conclusion. TCEO will therefore implement income generating activities that will be self sustaining, and will use surplus generated by those activities to finance programmes for the disadvantages. These projects will be undertaken by a center to be known as TN Center (Tuko Nawe Center). Tuko Nawe signifies that the marginalized have our support. TCEO is in the process of acquiring 20 ha of land in the outskirts of Dodoma city. The plot is easily accessible by a tarmac road and is serviced by electricity from the national grid. Water is available from the city mains......JouneMwambene Dodoma Tanzania