Pride in Earning an Income in Tanzania
The success of Building a Caring Community’s (BCC) annual Disability Festival Celebration this past year was even sweeter with the addition of a guest from the President of Tanzania’s office. While BCC invites a wide range of government officials hoping to gain attention and support for the work they do, this visit was a special honor for all involved.
After many years of invitations to one of the 11 divisions supporting the President’s initiatives, a presidential official finally replied, “Yes!”
Ms. Amina Mfaki, the Tanzanian President’s Deputy Director for Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition, traveled to learn more about how BCC works.
She was impressed with the number of people served through Mosaic’s whole-person, whole-community approach shared with BCC—which has and continues to benefit many. Her only concern was, “After the children grow into adults, they become a burden to society.”
BCC Director Deacon Kaaya smiled to himself and could not wait to show her more. It was not enough to just talk about how the Young Adult Vocational Program empowers children as they grow into adulthood—he wanted her to see it. He gathered the visiting dignitaries together and off they went to visit a BCC Young Adult graduate who lived close by.
Irene received her BCC Vocational Training Certificate in 2021. After exploring several work opportunities, Irene decided raising chickens would suit her best. BCC staff built a program around her circumstances including where she lives, how she will equip and maintain her business and account for income and expenses.
She started with 10 chickens that have since grown into a full flock. She is now able to make enough money to pay for her anti-seizure medication. A confident Irene told Ms. Mfaki she was “very proud she makes money,” and she is “not a burden to her family anymore.”
After spending the day with BCC, Ms. Mfaki told Deacon Kaaya she was shocked to learn the Tanzania government’s census for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities was extremely underreported, while the need for services was so great. She left that day inspired to pledge her immediate support and attention to advocate for more BCC resources.
BCC Young Adult Vocation graduates and their families receive three years of post-graduation follow-up visits and support to ensure their learning has turned into earning. This support also provides resources for their parents on how to best support their child going forward.
Irene’s mother (Mama Irene) was so grateful. After a parent training, she pulled aside a BCC staff member and shared her appreciation for helping Irene, herself and all the parents. She said, “The session was very good. I gained a lot of knowledge and new skills related to my daughter’s poultry-raising project. I learned from others how to handle diseases and market issues and help her take ownership. I feel motivated to keep on despite challenges. Thank you to all the BCC staff, facilitators and other parents for the day and for sharing together.”

BCC has helped Irene build a profitable poultry farming business so she can independently earn a living. Building a Caring Community (BCC) is a Mosaic International partner program in Tanzania.