Building a Caring Community
Mosaic's work in Tanzania is being accomplished through partnerships with the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania and the international alliance, IMPACT. The Building a Caring Community project is also confronting stereotypes of individuals with disabilities by reaching out to parishes through presentations. As a result, volunteers are emerging to work in the centers -- a positive and unanticipated benefit. When the project was first conceptualized, we never dreamed it would be as far along as it is today. The project staff are truly at the heart of all the successes that have occurred. Outreach efforts have far exceeded our expectations, and families and children with disabilities are now receiving supports they never had before.
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| Proud graduates of the first training program |
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One key aspect of the project is that it empowers women through employment and training of three divergent groups identified by the Northern Diocese. These three groups will include mothers of children with disabilities, widows, and elderly persons who often were unemployed or making a subsistent living wage doing limited farm work, bartering of goods/services, etc. before receiving supports through this project.
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| Staff working with a child at the Center |
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By opening seven neighborhood centers, mothers, aunts and other caregivers are now able to have a safe and nurturing setting where their children can go while they work and earn money for food, shelter and other basic needs. Services for children in the centers and in their homes are provided at no cost to the caregivers so they may use their earnings to fully support the health and well-being of their children. While there are many examples, learn how this project has changed the lives of Jackson and Doreen.
