A few years ago a group of Tanzanian, UK and US friends started a small charity called The Hoja Project.

homepage: http://www.hojaproject.org
latest news: http://hojaproject.blogspot.com
twitter feed: http://twitter.com/hojaproject

Hoja works in the 6 villages of Tanga Ward in Songea District, one of the poorest areas of rural Tanzania, running several community-led schemes.

The programmes are diverse, but the overarching aim is to enable people to free themselves from the life of deprivation and extreme poverty into which they are born.

***STUDENT TUITION***

Although primary education is compulsory in Tanzania, this has stretched the system, and quality of teaching has decreased as a result. Hoja runs summer tuition courses for pupils who hope to pass their exams and go on to secondary school.

The villages do not have electricity, and it is too expensive (not to mention dangerous) for many pupils to study by kerosene lamp in the evenings. Even if they pass their primary school exams, most students cannot afford to pay the fees to go to secondary school.

Many boys expect to work in the main local industry of charcoal production, a job with long term health risks. Girls without an education have few opportunities. However, this does not stop children in Tanga Ward from having dreams and aspirations of becoming doctors, nurses, lawyers and teachers.

***STUDENT SPONSORSHIP***

Hoja runs a Sponsorship Programme, paying 4 years’ worth of fees (about £70 per year) so that academically bright but financially poor students have a chance to fulfil these aspirations.

***VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE***

With the help of another charity called COCO, we have also converted an old building into a Vocational Training Centre, which teaches local people trades such as building, carpentry and tailoring.

***INCOME GENERATION PROJECTS***

Hoja has enabled community members to set up a number of Income Generation Projects in the local community. This is a very popular programme, helping individuals or small groups of people on their way to financial independence.

This is particularly important for women, who gain more respect and status in their community and in their own homes.

Sadly it is common practice for men to expect sexual favours from dependent women, putting their sexual health at risk to issues such as HIV.

Financial independence goes a long way to making women less vulnerable to domestic and sexual abuse.

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Hoja also holds numerous events and creates platforms so that important issues can be raised and discussed in the local community.

***PERFORMANCE GROUPS***

There are two Hoja Performance Groups who travel to villages in the local community, raising awareness and knowledge of issues such as HIV/Aids, malaria, and gender rights.

They perform songs and dances to create a safe space for people to discuss topics which they might otherwise find socially uncomfortable. Debate is often very lively and enjoyable for all.

***LIBRARIES***

Hoja has set up numerous Libraries, stocking magazines on youth and gender issues, and sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as general books and textbooks for school students. Many texts available are suitable for those without much reading experience.

***SPORTS COMPETITIONS***

Sports Competitions are held every year and used as an opportunity to hold seminars and festivals promoting health issues, educating and raising the self-esteem of young people who might not otherwise attend Hoja events.

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homepage: http://www.hojaproject.org
latest news: http://hojaproject.blogspot.com
twitter feed: http://twitter.com/hojaproject (read less)

A few years ago a group of Tanzanian, UK and US friends started a small charity called The Hoja Project.

homepage: http://www.hojaproject.org
latest news: http://hojaproject.blogspot.com
twitter feed: http://twitter.com/hojaproject

Hoja works in the 6 villages of Tanga Ward in Songea District, one of the poorest areas of rural Tanzania, running several community-led schemes.

The programmes are diverse, but the overarching aim is to enable people to free themselves from the life of... (read more)