This study was to determined the impact of Tanzania Social Action Fund on
reduction of poverty in vulnerable households. The data were collected from two
villages viz Mgaraganza and Mwamgongo of Kigoma district council and from the
TASAF office of Kigoma district council. The specific objectives were to identify
economic activities performed by vulnerable households, to ascertain types of socioeconomic
services which were accessed by recipient households for the TASAF II.
Others were to determine success factors and challenges which were associated with
the implementation of TASAF II and to suggest measures for improving contribution
of TASAF II in reducing poverty to vulnerable groups. Thirty two beneficiaries
were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Furthermore, a checklist was used
to discuss together with Elders and Leaders from those two villages. The analysis
was carried out using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer
software where mean, frequencies and percentages were established.
The results indicate that about 97 percent of the respondents interviewed had
economic activities before project. Most of them were engaged in Agriculture (i.e.
cassava, maize and beans production). Concerning TASAF II, they reported that the
project performed better by enabling them to provide fees, food, medical and
uniforms services to orphans at secondary schools. In general, majority of
respondents in the study area agreed on project success. Furthermore, they agreed to
face challenge of collecting grasses for cattle feeding. Even Elders keeping most
vulnerable children faced the same problems. Further, they argued that for those
groups engaged in fishing activities, they also faced challenges because of decrease
of fish and dagaa in Lake Tanganyika that led into low income as compared to the
target income. Following for the findings it is recommended that the support for
vulnerable should be provided directly at a family level rather than groups. Further,
any project pertaining to poverty alleviation through conventional approaches should
empower the beneficiaries through certain training particularly on how best they
could manage the concerned project.