Due to Corona’s current global problem the organization has launched a special program called the Wall art campaign for COVID-19 awareness in Arusha slum. Project raising awareness to the Arusha slum community upon the Covid-19 pandemic, this program is under MITAA SALAMA project. The aim is to raise awareness and educate the underprivileged community in Arusha on how to protect themselves from corona virus by using wall art as a unique way to convey the message to the community. We drawing different pictures such as Stop corona and stigma against patients and corona survivors, Protect children against corona virus, Stay at home, Social distancing, Wash your hands often, Using hand sanitizer, Don’t touch your face, Avoid crowds, Wear face masks, Avoid handshaking. Be part of solution join the movement, Donate now.
Jitambue Kwanza Development Organisation (Jitambue Kwanza) is a Swahili word that means ( Recognise Yourself First) Jitambue Kwanza is a local organization founded by Elinaja Lyimo who is a visionary, confident, passionate and committed enough to see child's sustainable development through holistic transformation by support a better future for all children and youth by funding programs that help children and their families within their community. This includes through education, protection, healthcare, nutrition programs, livelihoods support, community services or centers and early intervention especially for children with disabilities, programs and services to help youth leaving care integrate into society and lead independent lives, adult learning, economic development, and local volunteer services.The organization was registered as a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization. Founded in 2012 and officially registered on 20th April 2015 under registration certificate number 00NGO/00007921, issued by Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children. Jitambue Kwanza operates in Tanzania mainland with the main office in Arusha, northern part of Tanzania. Organization is dedicated to bring holistic transformation, welfare and development of children, teens and youth of Tanzania by prepare them to be the nation of today and tomorrow. Jitambue Kwanza believes that investing in children by protecting them, educating them and helping them to get quality education, basic needs, health service especially most vulnerable children, teens and disabled one. Empowering youth by encouraging them, supporting them to fully identify and develop their talents, gift, ability, be innovative, creative, being responsible, self- awareness and self- reliance. And to transforming community so that people they become empowered, educated, self-confidence, authentic leader, role models and change agents capable of creating the conducive environment for a better and sustainable future by solving the social, cultural and economic problems of children and youth in Tanzania and Africa as well.
Jitambue Kwanza Development Organization is an organization founded to help most vulnerable children (children with special needs) empower youth and transform community from abuse, exploitation, ignorance, disease and poverty by creating a conducive environment for access to education, healthcare, ,basic needs, employment and provide equal access for all to participate in development activities.The organization is based in Arusha slums and due to the many challenges facing vulnerable children and street youth such as lack the good education, protection, skills, knowledge and employment leading many of them to engage in misconduct like drug abuse, prostitution, theft and other acts that endanger the future of young people. Unemployment and child abuse is one of the challenges facing many youths and children in Tanzania many children have been abused physically, emotionally, s*xually, mentally, and they fail to continue their education because of early pregnancy, trauma, failure to enjoy their childhood, disability and failure to fulfill their dreams .The number of abandoned, vulnerable and marginalized children are increase so that organization has been front line to advocating and providing education on the child rights and protection, upbringing and development of children. Also we have been provide educational needs, food, clothes for children from poor families, to provide health insurance for disabled children from poor families, as well as we empower youth by mentoring, coaching, counseling and training them to get essential skills like leadership skills, communication, public speaking, computer, entrepreneurship, business, project planning, financial management, time management, art, music, sports and life skills.Without help from organizations like Jitambue Kwanza street-children are trapped in a cycle of poverty and neglect that few are able to escape. They lack the basic necessities of food, health care and a safe place to stay. Like many other Tanzanian children, homeless children are unable to afford an education, health service, protection and they miss out on the important life skills that are usually learned in the home. Children living on the street face the constant prospect of physical, verbal and s*xual abuse from peers and adults. Sniffing glue, ma*****na and petrol is a common way to dull hunger pains and blot out the violence they face on a daily basis.The organization believes children and youth are the nation of today and tomorrow so it is everyone's responsibility to prepare them to be good citizens, self-aware, confident, courageous, responsible and self-reliant so that they can fulfill their dreams. The existence of our organization is due to problems facing community therefore we make sure every child live and grow in a safe environment with an opportunity for them to get a good education, protecting them, giving them a chance to enjoy their childhood and a chance to fulfill their dreams. We are confident, passionate and committed enough to see new generation of Tanzanian are protected, educated, empowered and transformed through Child rights advocacy, Education support, Talent identification, Healthcare, Family and community support program. We invite you to support, volunteer and work together to bring light of hope in children heart, youth mind and to inspire the community of Tanzania.
To see most vulnerable children and youth in community are protected, educated, empowered, transformed and living free from abuse, exploitation, ignorance, poverty and disease.
To create a conducive environment for access to education, healthcare, employment and provide equal access for all to participate in development activities.
Passion and Commitment Integrity and Character Development Knowledge and Creativity Transparency and Accountability Partnership and Voluntarism Gender equity and equality
To bring holistic transformation, welfare and development of the most vulnerable children and youth so as to pave the path for their future success.
While the SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES are here in:
1. To provide education to youth and community around so as to identify their position and responsibilities they have towards poverty reduction, go out diseases, ignorance through life skills and entrepreneurship activities.
2. Sponsor the children and Youth for further education especially orphans and disabled ones.
3. Educate the Community and specific Youth about the impact of drug abuse and early s*xual activities.
4. To cooperate with the Regional Secretariat Technical Team, International NGOs, other NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and other Private Partners within the Region of Arusha to help facilitate the named objectives to create better Sustainable Community.
5. Helping the children and youth to fully identify and develop their talent, be innovative and creative.
6. Identifying and promoting local talents.
7. Striving to create the employments, improve the economy and help youth from different background.
8. Reduce idleness that consequently leads to issues such as crimes, earlier pregnancy at lower age, rapping, etc.
9. Promote the spirit of understanding the importance of youth innovative, identifications in early age to parents, teachers and community at large.
10. Promote development and youth empowerment through available resources.
11. Provide platforms to showcase the knowledge, often hidden, as one way to transform youth prominent intellectuals.
12. Operate as an entity to organise and promote innovation in the development of Youth.
13. Channel the energies and interests of youth towards positive endeavours through the development of their competency, thereby discouraging the indulgence in s*xual immorality, early pregnancy, tribalism, violence, robbery, and other destructive activities.
14. Since the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, prepare them to become better future leaders by enhancing the general welfare and needs of the less privileged in society.
15. Exercise compassion towards victims of HIV/AIDS by helping them fulfil the basic needs of youth, relatives, and immediate families taking care of children.
16. Provide a parenting course in the community and at teaching centers how to identify develop youth skills and acquire knowledge.
17. Collaborate with other organisation concerning with HIV/AIDS programs to provide education to Youth and Community at large in order to protect themselves.
18. Embrace innovation and incorporate new ideas that empower youth to become more creative, self-reliance thereby ensuring self-sufficiency through self-employment.
Invest in children, Empower youth, Transform community
1.Child rights advocacy 2.Education Support 3.Talent Identification 4.Healthcare 5.Family and community support program
Children don’t always have a voice, and many children are vulnerable and at greater risk of being harmed or exploited. Many children endure violence and exploitation, include forced labor and physical, s*xual and emotional abuse. Children with special needs/disabilities are particular vulnerable so they need safe adult to take care and advocate for their best interest and rights. Jitambue Kwanza is working hard to reduce over reliance on orphanages to care for most vulnerable children is an effort to provide sustainable child protection systems in Tanzania. Jitambue Kwanza believes families are the best safe environment for children to grow up in and works to ensure poor families have the support they need within the community and at government level or international level to continuing looking after their children. Child advocate typically gives voice to an individual or group whose concerns and interests are not being heard. Child advocacy can be done at the micro level (for one child or a few children), mezzo level (for group of children or at a community level) or macro level (for a category of children affected by a social issue). A child advocate will try to prevent children from being harmed and may try to obtain justice for those who have already been injured in someway. A child advocate may also seek to ensure that children have access to positive influences or services which will benefit their lives such as education, childcare and proper parenting. Malnutrition is another form of harm-there are many children who go to bed without eating and it is looked over by child welfare or the police.Another form of child advocacy happens at the policy level and aims at changing the policies of governments or even transnational policies. These advocates do lobbying, policy research, file lawsuits and engage in other types of policy change techniques Many use Internet based techniques to influence decision makers.
Ending institutional care of children in Tanzania. “We don’t have orphanages because we have orphans.We have orphans because we have orphanages” Love. One-on-one care and attention.A sense of belonging and identity.Friendly and safe spaces to play, grow and learn.Trusting and honest relationships.Being part of a community.These are things that all children need to grow up happy, healthy and strong and that only a family can provide.Unfortunately, too many children today are growing up in orphanages or children’s homes. Such places even when delivered by well-meaning care providers, can never replace a family.
“Institutions can be closed but a family can never be closed”
Ending child-forced marriage. Create awareness on girls empowerment on the issue of child marriage is the advocacy strategy to inspire positive attitude toward girls and build consciousness about the effects of child marriage. To engage young girls and boys in protecting themselves against child marriage, child abuse, child labor and child exploitation.
Factors that lead to an increase of vulnerable children in Tanzania. These factors include children who are living in an abusive environment, living with a sick parent or guardian, living with HIV, living with a disability, living in child-headed households, living in elderly-headed households, living with families facing absolute poverty, and living outside family care. All of these situations can make children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, illness, withdrawal from school, and emotional distress, grief, mental health problem and trauma .We need to work together to save our children in Tanzania now.
This is a group of (mvc) most vulnerable children we are working with: Orphan children. Children with disabilities (special needs). Children parents. Children with HIV/AIDS. Children with albinism. Children in/of street.
Children victim of r**e.
Children in elderly families.
Children in exploitative labor.
Children s*x workers.
Chronically ill children. Children with early pregnancy.
Children in foster families.
Children who affected with Drug abuse.
Children forced marriage.
Jitambue Kwanza seeks to prevent violence against children through:
Family and Community support programs. Implementation and enforcement of laws. Norms and values.
Income and economic strengthening (poor family). Create safe place for children to live and enjoy their dignity.
Parent and caregiver support.
Response and support Services.
Eliminating extremely corporal punishment in home and schools (Primary and Secondary).
Education and Life skills.
Training parents, teachers, police, care givers, religious leaders about child rights.
Running child right’s campaigns on schools and streets. Sensitize parents and community to invest in children.
A child protection system includes: Family strengthening services provided at the community level and supporting families at risk to stay together and become stronger through parenting support, housing support, strengthening family and social relationships, access to healthcare, protection, nutrition and education services, respite care, to special support for families with children with special needs, and income generation (economic activities)
The program aim is to support most vulnerable children (MVC) especially orphans and disabled ones access good education through providing scholastic materials, uniforms, health insurance, sanitary pads for girls, bicycles for students walking long distance and paying tuition fees and other institution contributions for advanced secondary and vocational training studies. And ensuring every child receives a good education as a fundamental right from early education, primary, secondary, vocational and university level. We also work closely with government, teachers, parents and education stakeholders to ensure that children and young people have access to quality education that enables them to be self-aware, self confident, assertive, self responsible and self reliance. Jitambue Kwanza supports adolescent girls and boys in schools by finding possible opportunities for them to stay in school. We provide different training, educational counseling and motivational talks we have established 20 life skills clubs called “Jitambue Clubs” in primary and secondary schools in Arusha city. Also we provide scholastic materials to the students in need from poor family, we promote personal development education, self leadership, self confidence, self reliant, soft skills, problem solving, coaching and mentoring, discover and develop talents and skills, strengthen personal identity through self-knowledge, encourage respect, unity and tolerance, develop decision making abilities in schools to help students especially girls to have self-esteem, work hard and build a purpose for their future.
Through Art Connect in Arusha Project we are running art education program (drawing, creativity, music, poetry, dance, drama) in schools primary, secondary and at the centers also in the streets within Arusha city.We discover and develop local talents from schools, streets and create platform for them to show their ability and how art, music and dance can change the life of children and youth by giving a platform for artists through development, production, and entrepreneurship in the Visual and Performing Arts by providing training, learning, exchange, performance and exhibition of contemporary arts locally, regionally, and beyond. Art has been a means of education, awareness raising, increasing knowledge, consciousness, mindset transformation and positive attitudes which encourage constructive behavior and character for children, teenager and youth that can lead to a peaceful co-existence, mutual respect, common goals and aspirations also art helps think through processes, try out new ideas, explore creativity, build self- confidence, self- esteem, self-worth, self-expression, aids in concentration, problem solving, critical thinking and even helps with mathematics. Art can be meditative is so healing. (Art is Therapy).
EXPLORE WHAT ART CAN DO Art helps children to learn, to trust their ideas, to create and to explore what is possible.
Art can transmit joy.
Art can change negative feelings. Art can transform sorrow.
Art can change mind.
Art can heal heart.
Art can change character. Art can change attitude. Art can be the way to express feeling, thoughts and share skills.
Art can change the negative perception of the world towards the slums. Art can inspire social change.
Art is magic. Life is art and everyone is an artist so we give children and youth an opportunity to discover their talent, develop their passion, create their world and to inspire social change through art.The aim of this program is to use the arts to provide education and to advocate for the rights and protection of children and also helps children who are experience loneliness, anxiety, abuse, stress, fear, mental health, depression, grief, trauma from the loss of their loved ones by being around them, counseling them, mentoring them, help them to accept their situation and how to overcome it and building them a sense of well-being to enjoy their childhood and helping them to fulfill their dreams and to live into their fullest potential.
Talent identification & Development will be dealing with the following:- 1. Sports; such as Football, Athletics, Basketball, Netball, etc. 2. Academics: such as Language, Science, humanities, etc. 3. Arts: such as Visual, Drama, Music,Poetry,Dance etc. 4. Business: training on Entrepreneurship, Sales, Management, etc. 5.Leisure: Video games, puzzles, etc. 6. Social: including Media, Public, leadership, etc. 7. Technology: cover issues of Computers, Crafts, Electronics, etc.
Key stages in talent identification & development process. Detection,Identification,Confirmation,Selection,Development
-To corporate and rise up children and youth talents from the kinder gate schools to University level. -Establish a center for talents development to the children and Youth in Tanzania. -Participating in International Talents show programs. -Sponsor and support Talented children and youth for further studies. -Encourage Parents, Guardians to participate in identification and development of children and youth talents.
Promoting health services access and rights information to youth, girls and teen mothers. Create awareness on Healthy lifestyles, Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), Mental health, Counseling, HIV/AIDS, Sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and other diseases. Jitambue Kwanza promoting child well being especially for girls and teen mothers through mental health awareness and counseling. Most of teenage mothers walk with fear, shame, guiltiness, maximum poverty and live with no support. Most of them have no one around to solve their problems, advice or help them understand according to their age. The program focused on advocating , communicating and educating this group regarding their s*xual health – prevent morbidity and mortality, and support quality of life.
Jitambue Kwanza train youth and teen mothers on various issues through seminars ,training and workshop. Issues related to health such as:
HIV/AIDS and other s*xual transmitted diseases (STDs).
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Healthy lifestyle. Mental health and counseling
Transmitted diseases.
Gender issues.
Others.
Family strengthening and community support program are provided at the community level and supporting families at risk to stay together and become stronger through: parenting support, economic empowerment, housing support, strengthening family and social relationships, access to healthcare, protection, nutrition and education services, respite care, to special support for families with children with special needs, and income generation (economic activities). Government, private sector, churches, individuals, donors, policymakers and community can do more to help vulnerable children by investing in family and community support programs rather than institutional care.We can make best investments to help vulnerable children and youth by supporting family and community programs is a better and sustainable way to support vulnerable children than funding orphanages.
Things we do; To encourage children to be raised in their families and communities and not in orphanages. Prevent family separation and protect vulnerable families. Provide children with a loving home and continuous care from an adult caregiver. Address barriers and stigma that affect the care of children with special needs. Give children a loving home and sustainable care from an adult caregiver. To encourage family and community to participate actively in contributing to the child's sustainable development. Strengthening love, unity and family cohesion. Building economic capacity for families and communities. Emphasize the importance of parents and communities to nurture and protect children. Make the family and community the center of the child's upbringing, growth and development. Having community centers that will provide free education for children and young people to give them the opportunity to learn, grow, play and fulfill their dreams. Connecting street children with their families instead of living in center. Helping the children within the family by providing for them basic needs.
Improve Education. Children are often placed in institutions in order to access education. By strengthening families, support community programs and developing educational services, including early childhood services and vocational training in the community of origin, more children will benefit as well as their wider communities.
Build a Healthier and Empowered Communities. Child protection reform engages the whole community and focuses on ensuring that all have access to basic health services, so that no family places their child in an institution because they need health care.
Tackle Child Poverty. Families affected by poverty are more vulnerable to separation. Studies show that a majority of the young people who have left children’s homes and orphanages are economically and socially incapacitated. This is a critical indication that institutional care reproduces and amplifies the vulnerabilities it purports to address. Strategic investment in child protection systems with a focus on at risk families can address the root causes of family separation by linking education, health, social protection and other relevant services at grass roots level. This can have significant economic benefits. Strengthening families and supporting social programs is a sustainable way to help children and young people become a strong nation.
Economic Empowerment. The number of young people is big and growing every day and many of them are unemployed or an unreliable income-generating activity do not have the correct knowledge of how to use the opportunities and abilities they have to make themselves self-employed so that many young people stay unemployed, walk around the streets and find themselves getting into action. crime, prostitution, alcoholism, drug abuse. In view of the extent of the problem the organization facilitates the empowerment of youth in the economic area by providing young people with training so that they can become competent in entrepreneurial skills, business expertise, how to establish and run the project as livestock, agricultural, technical, business and use their opportunities and capabilities to be self-employed, self-reliant and to eliminate income poverty by youth and society. Through the YAWEE- Youth and Women Economic Empowerment project we help young people use their talents, skills and abilities to achieve their economic goals. We also create youth groups and build a culture of savings, lending and helping each other in economic activities.Also through this project we empower women in order to meet their needs within the family and be able to help their children. We also enable them to form economic groups or savings groups.
1. Jitambue Community Center 2. Support Children with Special Needs 3. Art Connect in Arusha 4. Jitambue Clubs 5. Mitaa Salama 6. Jitambue Cafe 7.Youth and Women Economic Empowerment
Is a free and safe place for vulnerable children and youth (It's not orphanage center) they just come and go back to their families. Jitambue Kwanza is working hard to reduce over reliance
on orphanages to care for most vulnerable children is an effort to provide sustainable child protection systems in Tanzania. Jitambue Kwanza believes families are the best safe environment for children live and to grow up in and works to ensure families have the support they need within the community and at government level or international level to continuing looking after their children. Jitambue Community Center is a center for children, youth offer home-based care for the mvc children from poor families. This will include food, clothing, material support and medicine also a center at which the children will come learning, playing and other activities. They will also begin learning basic skills so they will be more ready for school. Even youth and young adults will come for different trainings and we provide parental guides for teen mothers and community as well.This home-based care will allow children to stay in the home, connected with their families, and allow organization to reach more of them. The aim is to create opportunity and conducive environment for children, teens and youth living in slum areas to learn, play and grow mentally, emotionally, physically, socially and to discover talents, develop passion, skills and creativity also prepare them to become leaders, role models, public speakers, positive thinkers, change makers, problem solvers, job creators and to change the negative perception towards slums. Our future plan is to have a center like this in every ward within Arusha city in order to reduce the high number of children and teenagers on the streets who are wandering and doing nothing to give them the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop their intellectual and behavioral. Through this center we want to bring light in the life of the children and disadvantaged youth in our community.
Free special programs offered for most vulnerable children and teenager / youth who are living in slums areas.
The programs we run at the center are; English course and other language. English Club and other subjects. Art class. Music, poetry, drama and dance class. Computer class. Tailoring and designing class. Other programs are; Day care program. Special needs programs. After school program. Library program. Entrepreneurship program. Life skills program. Child rights and child protection program. Substance abuse program. Leadership (Self leadership) program. Essential skills program. Public speaking program. Outreach program. Mentor ship and Coaching program. Mental Health, Grief and Counseling program. Games and movies program.
Program for children and teen with special needs at the center
We are dedicated to help and improving life standard of children with special needs like Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and all disabilities in Arusha and other parts of Tanzania. Through Advocacy and Outreach programs, Speech therapy, Physiotherapy, Basic learning, Basic survival activities, Self-care, Life skills, Arts, Vocational activities, psycho social counseling, Nutritional support, Health advising, capacity building, Playing and other activities. Autism is a disorder of brain development that affects one percent of children. Its social impact is overwhelming. In Autism, the brain is unable to process sensory information normally. As a result, these children are incapable to respond effectively to stimulation and initiate social behavior towards family, friends, and peers. There is no effective medication for Autism. Cerebral Palsy is the result of immature brain injury or a brain malformation, Cerebral Palsy is actually caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child’s brain is still developing – before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth. Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, posture and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oral motor function.
The economic burden of this disease to affected families and indirectly to society is unbearable. That is why the Jitambue Kwanza Development Organization has decided to come up with the idea of having community center which will also have a special program for special needs children to bring the relief to children born with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities in Arusha and other parts of Tanzania. The context for this project is one where children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities have been neglected, discriminated, abused, isolated, mistreated and underrated in the society. In fact, Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a little-known disability within the disabled sector in Tanzania due to the negative perception and lack of interest towards it. The anticipated impact of the project is that it will address fundamental support for the children living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities through identifying them through regular assessments and providing needs-based services in speech therapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and various rehabilitation processes; and initiate progression to promote the social inclusion of children with special needs also to help them in communication, movement ,self-care and decision making by provides an open and safe environment for people with disabilities in Tanzania to develop new skills, build relationships based on respect and realize their amazing potential. At the center we will have special needs educational program that will provides high quality special education for students with learning difficulties (LD) at all stages of their development.
These are some major types of special needs children
Physical – muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, chronic asthma, epilepsy, etc. Developmental – down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, processing disorders Behavioral/Emotional – ADD, bi-polar, oppositional defiance disorder, etc. Sensory Impaired – Blind, visually impaired, deaf, limited hearing
Saturday Program Every Saturday we enjoy to meet all the children together at the center in order to learn, discuss, play, eat, sing, be happy and knowing their development or their challenges at schools and in the family also we are doing outreach program to visit and see where they live. We also often meet with the parents or guardians of these children to discuss together various issues concerning their children and to give them various seminars, trainings on child care, the effects of child abuse, entrepreneurship, project initiation and small businesses in order to reduce income poverty and being able to take care their children with the little they have and remind them their role as parents and guardians.
Jitambue Community Center---Youth Program Planning and implementing various program activities. Conducting awareness campaigns to make youth aware. Empowering youth through training on various life skills. Conducting seminars and workshops on various youth topics. Leasing with other relevant stakeholders for youth empowerment. Advocating and lobbying opportunities for youth empowerment. Ensuring that youth voices are channeled from the communities. Ensuring that youth are involved in the center strategic plan.
JITAMBUE COMMUNITY CENTRE IS A CENTRE FOR HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION. Mindset Change, Character Development, Life skills and Talent Identification Invest in Children, Empower Youth and Transform community.
Children with disabilities or special needs are particular vulnerable so they need safe adult to advocate for their best interest and rights. Children with special needs are special kids and God made them in a unique way, they are gifted and talented and they need love, one-on-one care and attention, a sense of belonging and identity, being part of community, trusting and honest relationship, friendly and safe spaces to learn, play, grow and develop their talents.Jitambue Kwanza offer home-based care for the children with special needs from poor families in Arusha. All children have
the same rights to care and protection but children with disabilities or special needs are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of institutional care. All efforts should be made to ensure children with disabilities grow up within their families and enjoy appropriate care and support for their particular needs as provided by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Jitambue Kwanza provide early intervention and comprehensive information, services and support to children with special needs and their families. Access to Education, Protection, Nutrition, Healthcare (Health Insurance) Wheel chair, Food, Clothes, Uniform, Community based, Rehabilitation services, Day care and Respite services and to make it possible for children with special needs to live and to grow up in their families and communities. Also to engage in public campaigns to combat stigma,abuse,isolation and discrimination against children with disabilities. To organize concerts that can bring together all children with special needs by eating with them, playing, singing, praying and giving them the opportunity to showcase their abilities, skills and talents and give them gifts as a way to encourage, develop their talents and remove negative attitude towards disability because disability is not inability.To ensure all children with special needs they get support services they need in order to achieve their highest potential in the areas of academics, personal development, social growth, and career development. When the immediate or extended family is unable to care for a child with disabilities, the community must make every effort to provide alternative care within the wider family, and failing that, within the community in a family setting.
PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND TEEN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AT THE CENTER
We are dedicated to help and improving life standard of children with special needs like Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and all disabilities in Arusha and other parts of Tanzania. Through Advocacy and Outreach programs, Speech therapy, Physiotherapy, Basic learning, Basic survival activities, Self-care, Life skills, Arts, Vocational activities, psycho social counseling, Nutritional support, Health advising, capacity building, Playing and other activities. Autism is a disorder of brain development that affects one percent of children. Its social impact is overwhelming. In Autism, the brain is unable to process sensory information normally. As a result, these children are incapable to respond effectively to stimulation and initiate social behavior towards family, friends, and peers. There is no effective medication for Autism. Cerebral Palsy is the result of immature brain injury or a brain malformation, Cerebral Palsy is actually caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs while a child’s brain is still developing – before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth. Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, posture and balance. It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oral motor function.
The economic burden of this disease to affected families and indirectly to society is unbearable. That is why the Jitambue Kwanza Development Organization has decided to come up with the idea of having community center which will also have a special program for special needs children to bring the relief to children born with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities in Arusha and other parts of Tanzania. The context for this project is one where children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities have been neglected, discriminated, abused, isolated, mistreated and underrated in the society. In fact, Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a little-known disability within the disabled sector in Tanzania due to the negative perception and lack of interest towards it. The anticipated impact of the project is that it will address fundamental support for the children living with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities through identifying them through regular assessments and providing needs-based services in speech therapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy and various rehabilitation processes; and initiate progression to promote the social inclusion of children with special needs also to help them in communication, movement ,self-care and decision making by provides an open and safe environment for people with disabilities in Tanzania to develop new skills, build relationships based on respect and realize their amazing potential. At the center we will have special needs educational program that will provides high quality special education for students with learning difficulties (LD) at all stages of their development.
THESE ARE SOME MAJOR TYPES OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
Physical – muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, chronic asthma, epilepsy, etc. Developmental – down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, processing disorders Behavioral/Emotional – ADD, bi-polar, oppositional defiance disorder, etc. Sensory Impaired – Blind, visually impaired, deaf, limited hearing
GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
Enhance the capacity of disabled persons within the communities to improve their socio economic condition and ensure their Human Rights are sensitized. Enhancing the potentiality of individual by providing quality full rehabilitation services. Capacity building of family and communities to take care of their children within the society. Socio economically rehabilitate involving the community program.
Promoting opportunity, participation and ensure the rights of the marginalized are sensitized in the families and communities. Make sure every child with special needs gets appropriate care, education, health and other needs. Prevent negative perception towards disability. Training family member and community member about taking care children with special needs. Discover and develop their talents
ACTION PLAN
Building a special center with a provision as complete as possible for Autism and Cerebral Palsy children and their caretakers and recruit eligible staff center. Provide transformative workshops in the streets/ village through outreach programs. Provide capacity building to families and community in order to help them understand how to handle children with malformation. Equip the families of Autistic children with the knowledge and skills to provide targeted care for children and provide means by which the children can develop a level of independence relevant to their needs. Advocacy and networking for the rights of Autistic children. Advocacy and networking for the rights of Cerebral Palsy. Facilitate networking with other working social needs providers in the area, such as Government, schools, clinics and homes. Assessment and determination number of children with disabilities in the communities. Create awareness on the magnitude of Autism and Cerebral Palsy
FOCUS
Well-being of people living with disabilities. Education and empowerment. Health and sanitation. Community Development. Advocacy and networking. Capacity building. To Fight against discrimination, abuse, neglected, isolated, mistreated of people with disabilities. Sustainability.
We have Hall, Therapy room, Sensory room, Cognitive room, counseling room, Learning room, Art room, playground and other. Also to address physical, mental, behavior, developmental, emotional and to help them to help themselves filled with love, hope, compassion, self-worth and dignity despite of their physical and biological challenges. Children with special needs are special kids smart, gifted, talented and God made them in a unique way so let’s support their dreams and make them smile. ‘’Kindness is a language which blind people see and deaf people hear’’GIVING IS OUR LIFESTYLE AND HELPING THE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IS OUR PRIORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD AND NOT MAN. Support their dreams make them smile.
Through Art Connect in Arusha Project we are running art education program (drawing, creativity, music, poetry, dance, drama) in schools primary, secondary at the centers also in the streets within Arusha city.We discover and develop local talents from schools, streets and create platform for them to show their ability and how art, music and dance can change the life of children and youth by giving a platform for artists through development, production, and entrepreneurship in the Visual and Performing Arts by providing training, learning, exchange, performance and exhibition of contemporary arts locally, regionally, and beyond. Art has been a means of education, awareness raising, increasing knowledge, consciousness, mindset transformation and positive attitudes which encourage constructive behavior and character for children and teenager that can lead to a peaceful co-existence, mutual respect, common goals and aspirations also art helps think through processes, try out new ideas, explore creativity, build self- confidence, self- esteem, self-worth, self-expression, aids in concentration, problem solving, critical thinking and even helps with mathematics. Art can be meditative is so healing. (Art is Therapy).
EXPLORE WHAT ART CAN DO Art helps children to learn, to trust their ideas, to create and to explore what is possible.
Art can transmit joy.
Art can change negative feelings. Art can transform sorrow.
Art can change mind.
Art can heal heart.
Art can change character. Art can change attitude. Art can be the way to express feeling, thoughts and share skills.
Art can change the negative perception of the world towards the slums. Art can inspire social change.
Art is magic. Life is art and everyone is an artist so we give children and youth an opportunity to discover their talent, develop their passion, create their world and to inspire social change through art.The aim of this program is to use the arts to provide education and to advocate for the rights and protection of children and also helps children who are experience loneliness, anxiety, abuse, stress, fear, mental health, depression, grief, trauma from the loss of their loved ones by being around them, counseling them, mentoring them, help them to accept their situation and how to overcome it and building them a sense of well-being to enjoy their childhood and helping them to fulfill their dreams and to live into their fullest potential.
Talent identification & Development will be dealing with the following:- 1. Sports; such as Football, Athletics, Basketball, Netball, etc. 2. Academics: such as Language, Science, humanities, etc. 3. Arts: such as Visual, Drama, Music,Poetry,Dance etc. 4. Business: training on Entrepreneurship, Sales, Management, etc. 5.Leisure: Video games, puzzles, etc. 6. Social: including Media, Public, leadership, etc. 7. Technology: cover issues of Computers, Crafts, Electronics, etc.
Key stages in talent identification & development process. Detection,Identification,Confirmation,Selection,Development
-To corporate and rise up children and youth talents from the kindergarten schools to University level. -Establish a Center for talents development to the children and Youth in Tanzania. -Participating in International Talents show programs. -Sponsor and support Talented children and youth for further studies. -Encourage Parents, Guardians to participate in identification and development of children and youth talents.
Through (Friend of my dream) project we provide different life skills trainings, educational counseling and motivational talks we have established 20 life skills clubs called “Jitambue Clubs” in primary and secondary schools in Arusha city. Also we form Jitambue Clu
bs in every street in Arusha city to educate, advocate and create awareness on child rights and child protection so that children can protect themselves and educate community about the effects of child abuse ,child-forced marriage, child labor and other unacceptable action. Through this provide educational materials to the students in need, we promote personal development education, coaching and mentor ship, soft skills, problem solving, critical thinking, develop talents and leadership gifts, strengthen personal identity through self-knowledge, self-confidence and encourage respect and tolerance, develop decision making abilities in schools to help students especially girls to have self-esteem, work hard and build a purpose for their future.
Helping the children and youth to fully identify and develop their talent, be innovative and creative. In English this project called “Safe Streets” (Stop Drugs, Stop Abuse, Save new generation) we run this project especially in different streets in Arusha by educating community through arts,music and dance. Discover and develop local talents from streets and create platform for them to show their ability and how arts and music can change the life of youth. Through this project we providing different education like civil education, substance abuse and violence against children and women, gender based violence and social education.Also to do murals (Wall art Campaign for social issues awareness in Arusha slums to brings social change) painting walls as a way to convey the message and educate the community. We use arts as an alternative, positive and potentially lucrative, focus for youth, as opposed to crime and drug abuse. To utilize arts as means to enhance communi
ty cohesion, to bring hope, positive attitude and to promote peace and solidarity in the community .To promote culture and diversity by bringing together artists from different areas and use arts to change the negative perception of the world towards the slum. Reduce idleness that consequently leads to issues such as crimes, earlier pregnancy at lower age, rapping, drug abuse and alcoholism .To use arts to educate the community and prevent crime and violence against the people .Our streets, our destiny. MITAA SALAMA PROJECT Dreams, Talents and Life Style. Stop Drugs, Stop Abuse Our character, Our destiny. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
This is a platform where children, teenagers and parents ,police, teacher, doctor, lawyer, religious leader, social worker, businessman, specialist, community leader, journalist, activist and stakeholders who are involved with children and teenagers meet together learn, share, connect and discuss issues relating to child right and protection, life style, mental health, drugs abuse, Sexual and reproductive health and rights , technology, environmental conservation, law, family matters, politics, socioeconomic, current affairs and so forth. The aim of this project is to have common understanding and create awareness on issues regarding children and youth also to encourage communities to take appropriate action to protect and empower children and youth.
The motto of this project is join , learn, share and inspire social change. One step ahead towards solution .Learn, Network, Inspire and have Fun.
Entrepreneurship Program We encourage entrepreneurship mindset to youth but drug abuse and alcoholism, laziness is yet another negative consequence of youth unemployment in Tanzania whereby many young people consume drugs to the detriment of their health sometimes resulting in death.
Business Skills & Entrepreneurship Development ( BSED) Brings comprehensive employment and entrepreneurship programs to young people and women aged 18 to 35. The programs seeks support from stakeholders and Youth Enterprise Development fund and enhance youth employ ability and self-employment (formal and the informal job)
Training Train youth and young adult in technical skills and savings strategies for entrepreneurship and sustainability. Income generating activities (IGA) through popular learning workshops and training such as poultry keeping, hand-crafts, tailoring, cultivation and others like Project planning, Business skills, financial management, loan management, communication skills, sale and marketing, business plan, and others. “Use what you have to get what you don’t have” This is our philosophy.
Kuku Ajira Means Chickens Employment We keep local chickens and provide specialized commercial poultry training.How to start Poultry keeping project, How to build shelters, how to choose chickens, how to make food, how to give them medicine and link them to markets. The training aims to motivate women and young people to start poultry raising projects as a way of generating income and eliminating economic dependency and income poverty.
Head Office Arusha Slum Area P.O.Box 1828 Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa +255 714 279 000 +255 683 279 000 [email protected] [email protected] www.jitambuekwanza.org
