Income Generation Activities (IGA)

SAIDIA, working with its partners, aims to support a number of sustainable income generation activities. We do this by initiating or enhancing potentially profitable businesses. All progress is to be documented, because the ultimate goal in terms of income-poverty reduction is to design an informal training programme that targets people below the poverty line. We believe that true sustainability can only be borne from the willingness of those we try to help. Our current IGA activities are all established by our partners to raise much needed funds for a local education centre.  Education is a vital tool for development.  However in a poor country it is not accessible to all.  Whilst the Government of Tanzania is working hard to increase access (by providing universal education at primary school and increasing the number of government secondary schools) many young people are slipping below the net.  Some cannot afford to buy a uniform or books or food for school, others may have failed their exams the first time round and in Tanzania that means they cannot continue.  In partnership with SAIDIA the school runs two small IGA projects:

Production of Tie and Die materials which are then made into various items including, lampshades, housecoats, book covers, bed spreads and small bags.  The first batch of materials have been purchased by Honey Badger Lodge (http://www.honeybadgerlodge.com/giving-back.aspx) and are also available for their guests to purchase.  The second project, known as the chicken project involves the sale of chickens and eggs (also purchased by the lodge).  The project required careful management to ensure that the birds are housed and cared for correctly.  The school currently has over 50 chickens and is selling its eggs in and around the community.

Working with SAIDIA and its partners, volunteers can:

·         Set up suitable accounting and monitoring systems to enable its growth,

·         ensure the quality of the end products

·         Conduct market research to help the partners establish a reliable and diverse market for the produce and goods

·         Develop materials etc to improve the sales and awareness of the produce and goods

…and much more. Anyone with a passion for business, administration or just wants to get involved will be truly rewarded on this very worthwhile initiative.