This report highlights the progress achieved against plans, issues and challenges encountered during the
implementation of the project activities in two project areas during this period. This was done in
partnership with government ministries and other beneficiaries. This report looks at achievement of the
program, lesson learnt, problems faced in implementation and makes recommendations for the future
implementation to achieve the best results.
DETAILED REPORT
1. CROP PRODUCTION
The project planned to monitor the process of harvesting and treating the crops in both project areas.
So far for 2013-2014 growing season, the project has realized more maize than last year in all the
centers hence the project will have enough for nursery schools in its all areas.
2. WOMEN PROGRAMME (CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER IGAs)
This is to promote development of producers marketing saving and credit co-operative in order to
empower rural communities socially and economically by providing them with support to actively
participate in development activities and to start up small scale businesses. For the period, the project
planned to monitor recovery of forth loan and business performance of some of the members of
Matande group. So far all these planned activities on this component were done as planned. On loan
recovery a total of k118,150.00 has been recovered from May to June 2014, and a total of 36 members
have finished their loan repayment , hence we have recovered a total of k978,000.00 and we have a
balance of k19,500.00.
The project also facilitated several revenues from various programs taking place at Matande center
as follows. On tailoring, a total of k26,940.00 was collected. On carpentry, a total of k41,000.00 was
collected during this period. And on charging phones, a total of k1,080.00 has been realized during the
period.
3. LIVESTOCK PROGRAM
The project planned to monitor livestock performance and pass on of off-springs (kids) program in all
the centers of the projects. So far the program was done as planned. A total of 17 goat kids (12m and 5f)
were kidded during the period from all the centers, and on pass on of kids, a total of 4 were passed on
to 4new beneficiaries.
4. BEE KEEPING PROGRAM/ APICTURE
The project planned to monitor the performance of the program at Msadi center during the period. So
far the activity was done as planned. In May the farmers harvested a total of 9liters of honey. Part of it
was sold and got a total of k10,200.00 and the other part was given to children at the center as food.
Part of this money realized was spent on sugar and salt for the children. But they also told us that part of
the money that they got towards the end of last year was used to procure fingerings for their pond.
5. ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM
This is to enhance literacy and numerical capability of adult illiterates of the communities for the better
understanding of development. For the period of May and June, the project planned to monitor class
performance in all the centers where this program is taking place. So far the program was done as
planned and the program is doing well than before where only few people were coming for classes. At
Msadi center alone, a total of 18 people are attending classes and out of this number 4 are men that are
very encouraging. Centers of Msadi and Likwanya are looking for board.
6. POTABLE WATER/ SHALLOW WELL PROGRAM
In order to provide access to safe drinking water of acceptable quality for basic needs, thereby reducing
the incidences of water borne diseases the project supported construction of shallow wells in its project
areas. A project has 2 shallow wells constructed in two of these four centers. And during the period
the project planned to monitor the performance of already established well at Matande and to make
way forward with people of Nakutepa on their shallow well that need maintenance. So far the well at
Matande was monitored as planned and is working very well. On shallow well of Nakutepa, we have
agreed with the artisan who constructed it to visit the site and reconstruct it.
Impact of shallow well program
• Reduction in distance covered by women in fetching water, hence time saved is used in carrying
out some beneficial activities in their homes.
• Reduction in cases of water born diseases such as diarrhea and cholera, hence people are
health and able to carry out various development activities.
7. FISH FARMING PROGRAM
To promote small-scale integrated fish farming for utilization of protein and access to income the
program planned to monitor fish performance at Matande and Msadi centers. So far the program was
done as planned.
Fish farming performance
During the monitoring visits it is noted that fish in all the ponds is growing very well both at Matande
and Msadi and this is very encouraging as all the ponds have good supply and steady water, and we are
hopping to realize more money this year than last year as we have more fingerings than of last year.
Part of the money that was used to procure fingerings at Msadi center was realized from bee keeping
program and this made us to be proud of this bee keeping program.
Below are pictures of this program at Matande center
8. NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
In order to promote sustainable natural resources management, in the period the project in
collaboration with forestry staff of Machinga District, facilitated the establishment and monitoring of
tree nursery at Nakutepa center. The project also planned to monitor the agro-forestry woodlots of
Nakutepa and Nsadi centers. So far a total of 3600 tree seedlings were raised ready to be transplanted
into their woodlot during the rain season. And on monitoring of out planted trees, the performance
is quite good this year. At Nakutepa village, a total of 1500 seedlings were transplanted to their old
woodlot, and the lest were transplanted into their new site.
Impact of NRM activities
Increased awareness on the importance of managing natural resources can be observed
amongst some beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are able to explain why they need to plant more
trees and practice best farming methods.
There has been an increase in number of a variety of trees in the area including the agro forestry
trees.
Access to firewood has started to be noticed though at small scale in these two villages
(Nakutepa and Nsadi).
9. VOCATIONAL SCHOOL ON TAILORING
On this program, the project planned to monitor the class performance at Matande center and monitor
collection of funds through this program. So far the program was done as planned. Class performance is
quite good. And on collection the project has managed to collect a total of k26,940.00 during the period,
and we still have more clothes for sale.
10. VOCATIONAL SCHOOL ON CARPENTRY
On this the project planned to monitor both the performance of carpentry and class, monitor collection
of revenue through this program. So far all these planned activities were done as planned. The class is
going on very well and every thing is ok and it has more customers. We are producing a lot of assorted
items ready to be sold.
11. ORPHAN AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN CARE/ NURSERY SCHOOL PROGRAM
This is aimed at improving nutritional status of vulnerable children, staff and farmers in the project
area. The project is practicing nursery school feeding program in all the centers especially for the
children aged 2 to 5 years. For the period of May and June 2014, the project planned to monitor class
performance in all the centers. So far this was done as planned. And the program is doing very well
in all these centers and more children are coming for classes. This is due to the introduction of crop
production program in all the centers. And below is a table of children in these centers;
Msadi center 92 children 35 boys and 57 girls
Nakutepa center 65 children 25 boys and 40 girls
Likwanya center 56 children 20 boys and 36 girls
Matande center 49 children 18 boys and 31 girls
So in total there are 262 children in our schools
12. YOUTH PROGRAM
This is aimed at promoting behavior change through effective communication in the project areas. For
the period of May and June, the project planned to monitor the performance of all the youth groups
that are under the project in all the centers. These groups are like football teams that are supported
with foot balls from the CBO and the drama groups. So far all these groups ware monitored and
encouraged to be dedicated to their activities. Groups of kawinga are asking for more balls as these
groups are receiving more new comers.
Msadi youth group has harvested a total of 4 bags of groundnuts for sale. These groups are also asking
for farm inputs so that they can use it as a starter pack for their future plans.
13. ELDERLY PROGRAM
Under this program, the project has planned to construct a house for Mr. Edwin Mangani one of our
elderly people. So far this program is under way and as of now it is at roofing stage and very soon it will
be completed. See the picture of it below;
14. THE CONSTRUCTION OF LIKWANYA HALL
The project has planned to construct a hall for Likwanya people. This project will start very soon as it
has taken a long time before started. During our visit on the 21st
with the villagers that bricks, dambo sand and river sand will be provided by the villagers themselves
and the project will only provide money for iron sheets, cements, poles (timber), paints, lime, door
flames and doors, paying the builder and others. And for this reason this activity will need a total of
k1,200,000.00 from the office.
15. HIV /AIDS MAINSTREAMING PROGRAM
The aim of this program in the project is to mainstream HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support into
all project activities by strengthening institutional capacity and coordination to respond to HIV/AIDS
epidemic at all levels.
The projects goal
Reducing incidence of HIV and improve life of those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS.
Areas of concentration
• Prevention
• Mitigating impact
• Care and support
Pillars that project is using
• HIV/AIDS and gender mainstreaming.
June 2014,we have made an agreement
This is being done in all the components of the project activities and almost 300 people that
are chiefs, traditional leaders, religious leaders and the communities were oriented to the new
concept.
• Economic empowerment.
Almost 41 people were supported with money through IGA program to start up small scale
business. And as of now almost 97 % of the loan was recovered and very soon we will distribute
another loan to other beneficiaries.
• Food and nutrition security.
In all the centers the project provides farm inputs to produce enough food for the children. All
the centers have enough maize for food this year of 2014.
• Community Based Support.
The project is supporting in construction of resource centers (halls) in all the centers and
provides them with solar electricity. The construction of Likwanya hall will start very soon as
preparatory work is under way.
• Work place support.
On this the project through youth groups provides information on health and HIV/ AIDS.
• Family planning.
Through youth groups the project motivates people for family planning methods. At Msadi and
Nakutepa a total of 67 people were motivated to start family planning method especially using
condoms in the project area since January this year of 2014..
17. CASE STUDIES
1) BEE KEEPING PROGRAM
Apiculture production is one of the activities that the project is advocating and assisting farmers and
nursery school at Msadi center to boost food and increases the economic base of the beneficiaries. This
program is being funded by Irish Embassy in the village.
Mr. Notice Dolo is one of the bee keeping farmer, a product of Zikomo project initiatives at Msadi village
in Kawinga project area, and he is a chairman for the group. Mr. Dolo had this to say, “Since I was born,
I had never heard that people do keep bees in their villages and that bee keeping is a business that can
change peoples lives, I used to have a food gap of almost for 3 month in a year because to have money
for farm inputs at my family was a problem. But with the introduction of this program in our village my
life has greatly changed .This change is not only at my family but almost too every member of our bee
keeping club.’’
‘’ Once this program started in our village, the center is able to have enough money from the sales of
honey every year. Part of this money is used to buy basic needs for the school like sugar, salt, milling
maize for the school, and we some times give part of the money to the teachers as their honolorium. And
the other part we always share it to every member of the club to buy fertilizer through subsidy program
hence more maize for food in our homes.’’
I asked him how much do they get from the program each year, he told me that last year alone the club
got a total of k43,600.00 and this last month of May 2014 the club has realized a total of k19,200.00
from the program. He also told me that honey is readily available in their village that every visitor who
comes to visit them does not go back without eat honey or take it home , hence people from surrounding
villages called it the honey village. He also told me that this program makes people to send their children
to school because their children do eat honey as part of their meal.
I asked him about the future plan of this program in their village, and he told me that this is one of
the programs among others like solar that have transformed their village positively, hence planning
to expand it by increasing numbers of beehives from 16 that they have to almost 40 so that they can
produce more honey and that they can accommodate more people to the program to get the benefit as
they do.
I also asked him how difficult is the program compared to other farming activities that are taking place
at the center. He told me that this is the simplest activity at the center because once you have hanged
the beehives it’s only monitoring them twice a week, hence gives time to do other activities.
2) SOLAR PROGRAM AT NAKUTEPA (TV)
Nakutepa village is in kawinga project and is one of the two villages that had benefited with solar
program from the project. This area is about 17km away from Mtaja trading center where there is
electricity for domestic use, hence has been having an acute problem of electricity for their domestic use.
And when asked Mr. Jastern Kandulu who is the in-charge of solar program at the center he had this to
say, ‘Nakutepa center is a village town where most of the people from surrounding villages do meet for
various reasons. During morning hours, most of the people come to charge their phones while during the
after noon especially from 4pm most of them come to watch videos and football.
I asked him what they get every day from the ordinary shows, and he answered me that they get not less
than k1,500.00 per day and this time around as there is world cup, they get more than k2,700.00 per
day.
I also asked him how much they have from this program as of then (21/6/14), this is what he answered
me. ‘’As of now we have a total of k31,000.00 cash, but this is not only money that we had got from
this program as we are able to buy sugar and others for N/School, and we also able to pay our Nursery
school teachers a total of k1,000.00 every month through this program.
I asked him about their future plan for the program, and he told me that the problem that they have
as now is that they have electricity but they do not have TV, DVD, and others for the center that
could generate money for the center, and they use is from other people and they do share the money
they realize with the owner of the machine, so they are planning to have their own equipment for
this program. And for the solar system, the committee has put a site some amount of money for
maintenance of the system once got problem.
Finally I asked him what he think will get by the end of this world cup footballs at Brazil, he told me that
the center will get not less than k75,000.00 but will share it with the owner of the machines.
Bazwell B. Makanda
