Tanzania Environmental, Health and Disability Services Organization (TEHDSO)

TANZANIA ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND DISABILITY SERVICES ORGANIZATION (TEHDSO) HEAD OFFICE

P.O. Box 401, Mob: +255 622 929 355

Mwanza Tanzania (EA). +255 785 924 890

E-mail: tanzaniaenvirohealthdisability@gmail.com

Website: www.envaya.org/tehdso

Organization Profile

PART A: THE ORGANIZATION DETAIL

Name of the Organization

Tanzania Environmental, Health and Disability Services Organization (TEHDSO)

Legal Status of the Organization

Non-profit making, non-governmental organization with its headquarters in Mwanza City, Tanzania. Registered on 20th March 2018 under The Non-Governmental Organization Act, 2002, made under section 12(2) of Act No.24 of 2002, with registration No.00NGO/0009593.

Contact Person

Dr. Joseph Musagasa,

Executive Director,

Tanzania Environmental, Health, and Disability Services Organization

P.O. Box 401,

Mwanza -Tanzania.

Tel/Mobile: +255 622 929 355/ +255 785 924 890

Email: tanzaniaenvirohealthdisability@gmail.com or josephmusagasa@gmail.com

Website: www.envaya.org/tehdso

Contact Address

P.O. Box 401, Mob: +255 622 929 355

Mwanza +255 785 924 890

Tanzania (EA).

E-mail: tanzaniaenvirohealthdisability@gmail.com

Website: www.envaya.org/tehdso

Number of staff members: 25

Level of Operation: National, Tanzania Mainland

PART B: ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Organization Background

TANZANIA ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND DISABILITY SERVICES ORGANIZATION (TEHDSO) has been formed through the idea of Dr. Joseph Musagasa when he met with a large number of children on the streets who suffered from different disabilities.

This situation forced Dr. Joseph Musagasa to conduct a baseline survey at some of the schools/homes in Musoma rural district, Mara region, for clarification of the problem. While doing the survey, it was realized that, among the disabled children, some were HIV infected on ART living with parents or grandmothers, and others were not established on ART yet, some were living with HIV infected parents/caregivers with very poor economy and lack of food. Finally, he decided to intervene in the situation.

The organization has engaged in the provision of health education on communicable diseases like HIV and AIDS, and non-communicable diseases in the community by using meetings, training, and workshops in schools, churches, and working stations in the private and government sectors. Also, it provides direct support and materials to some of the victims.

Currently, the organization has focal persons in seven (6) regions in Tanzania Mainland. These include Mara, Mwanza, Kagera, Shinyanga, Iringa, and Pwani regions, respectively.

TEHDSO is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with its headquarters in the Mwanza region, Tanzania. The organization founded in February, 2017 with only 5 founder members and rregistered officially on 20th March 2018 with 13 members, under The Non-Government Organization Act, 2002 Made under section 12(2) of Act No.24 of 2002 with registration No.00NGO/0009593 for the sole purpose of supporting initiatives undertaken by Government and other development practitioners in ensuring sustainable community development through promoting community health awareness and environmental conservation.

We believe that good health and an improved environment are things in relation, as we cannot experience good health while our living environments are not favorable to us.

We are sure that the community cannot develop while its people are not expected to produce anything or produce poorly; instead, they are expected to consume even what has been gained.

We acknowledge all interventions undertaken by the Government and other development practitioners on enhancing a healthier community through policies, strategies, and supportive initiatives. We therefore decided to unite our efforts through the establishment of TEHDSO to support initiatives undertaken by the Government and other development stakeholders in ensuring sustainable community development through promoting Community health awareness and Environmental conservation.

Our vision

Having a Healthy community in a friendly, improved environment with an enhanced economy.

Our Mission

Promote community sustainable development through awareness creation on health supports and environmental issues, counseling, medical supports, and environmental conservation.

Our Objectives

1. Raising community awareness on issues of health, focusing on communicable diseases, including Tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, etc., and non-communicable diseases like Diabetes, HTN, including Cervical and Prostate Carcinoma, etc.
2. Enhance the reduction of the maternal and infant mortality rate.
3. Develop opportunities, situations, and environment which will make children with disabilities associate themselves with others.
4. Promote health education and counselling to people facing psychological problems.
5. Create awareness to schooling youth concerning reproductive health.
6. Promote and enhance environmental protection and conservation.
7. Facilitate the elderly and the disabled and ensure the provision of medical check-up assistance on safety, health, economic, and social aspects.
8. Provision of material support to poorer communities, including children, youth, young women, and women

Statement of Values

The core values of Tanzania Environmental, Health and Disability Services Organization (TEHDSO) are as follows: -

Commitment:

All TEHDSO staff members are expected to show a spirit of commitment, effectiveness, and diversity.

Transparency:

Leaders and staff members shall observe transparency in matters that involve the use of the organization's resources by providing all stakeholders with physical and financial implementation reports.

Respect:

The potential and dignified human being shall have worth and be respected. Including Integrity, Accountability, Love, Networking, Passion, and Volunteerism

Key activities

Health sector:

i. Provision of health education on non-communicable diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiac conditions, Cervical and Prostate carcinoma, etc., and communicable diseases including HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, Covid-19, etc., with support of protective gears like condoms and masks distribution. It engages communities to participate in improving holistic social life by information release and advocacy to effect changes in health systems.

ii. Conduct research meant for scaling up sustainable community health care, mobilize and provide support for Most Vulnerable Children (MVC’S) and Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Services.

iii. Counselling on proper ART use for reduction of HIV transmission in the community, improved health, and reduction of Lost to Follow up to 99%.

iv. Couple counselling and early HIV testing immediately/soon after exposure

v. Children and youth nutrition support at the facility level

vi. Health education and support on regular HVL testing at the facility or within the community, through a community-based approach

vii. Managing some of the terminally ill recipients of Care in their home secondary to chronic illnesses like cancerous people, etc.

Environmental sector:

i. Environmental education and protection on tree planting and tree nursery, and Environmental health, including waste disposal.

Social and cultural sector:

i. Social and community support by serving and supporting the poor and people with disabilities, sick, orphans, and vulnerable children, street children, young women, and adult women by clothing, food, school materials, and building houses for destitute or disabled families.

ii. Promote Human Rights of People Living with Disability, old aged, women, and children. It also provides them with relief and facilitates peace and conflict management initiatives.

iii. Conduct local fundraising to support the target beneficiaries.

iv. Conduct video shooting and documentary make-up for fundraising and educational purposes.

v. Link/work with volunteers, with other institutions like Churches, health facilities, vocations, CBOs, etc.

Resource Mobilization

Conducting these initiatives urges TEHDSO to mobilize resources, including finance, volunteers/intern programs from Local, National, and International opportunities to support its objectives for the betterment of its beneficiaries’ social-economic and environmental development.

Since the organization was registered on 20th March 2018 and started its operation in May 2018 to implement its activities, the organization has succeeded to score funds from the following sources:

1. Members contribution
2. Members' annual subscription fee and
3. In-kind and cash contributions from well-wishers

Geographical position

The Organization operates countrywide. Currently, the organization operates in the Mara region in the districts of Musoma Rural, Rorya, Serengeti, Bunda Rural, and Butiama. In Mwanza Region, the coverage includes Ilemela Municipality, Misungwi, and Sengerema Districts.

Membership situation

Currently, the organization operates in the Mara region in the following districts: Musoma DC, Rorya DC, Serengeti DC, Bunda DC, and Butiama DC.

Mwanza region in the following districts: Ilemela MC, and some of the beneficiaries in Misungwi DC and Sengerema DC.

The number of TEHDSO members has grown notably to 25. For the purpose of increasing its performance, the organization has invited the management and staff of Imara Foundation to work with TEHDSO in the Mara Region. This is after the Imara Foundation staff and management decided to work free from the church's dominance, which undermines the relationship with donors for accountability and responsibility in financial matters. The TEHDSO team agreed and accepted the members from Imara, adhering to the following reasons:

1. Their commitment and transparency
2. Their accountability and unity for the whole time since they received projects, as will be mentioned hereunder.
3. They're eager to work with TEHDSO without external force.

Some of the projects implemented by Imara Foundation under the engaged management included:

1. Girls on Tract (GoT),
2. Play for the Advancement of Quality Education (PAQE) and Education Quality in Inclusive Education (EQIE), both funded by Right to Play in Serengeti and Tarime districts.
3. Tanzania Health Promotion Services (THPS) partnered with Imara Foundation staff and management in implementing the Mlango Project for the Key Vulnerable Population in the Serengeti district.
4. Maternal and Child Survival Project (MCSP) in the Serengeti district is held by USAID-Boresha Afya through Imara Foundation, Jhpiego partnership.
5. Tanzania Communication Capacity Project (TCCP) in Tarime district, funded by Care International, engaged staff and management from Imara were capacitated in improving community communication ability on health issues.
6. Partnering with AMREF Tanzania in implementing Angaza and Angaza zaidi projects and Mult Sectorial HIV/AIDS in Serengeti District, the staff and management became experienced in raising HIV and AIDS awareness education and conducting HIV and AIDS counseling and testing to the community.
7. Partnering with Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TDH-N) and Global Family US empowered the Staff and management to implement Maternal and Child Health projects in Serengeti, Butiama, and Bunda districts of Mara Region.
8. Thorough implementation of the KAYA CCI project funded by Africare
9. Generation at Risk (GAR), funded by MCC in Serengeti, Bunda, and Butiama, engaged staff and management gained experience in home-based care to HIV/AIDS infected persons, direct and individualized support to Orphans, Vulnerable Children (OVCs), and provided HIV/AIDS awareness education to youth.

Therefore, the noted best practice of the engaged staff and management of Imara Foundation, together with the TEHDSO staff, is expected to enhance performance and efficiency in implementing the same or slightly different projects directed to TEHDSO. The merging of the two management teams is meant to improve delivery and coverage capacity for project implementation. Here are the names of Imara Foundation members who joined the Tanzania Environmental, Health, and Disability Services Organization (TEHDSO):

1. Emmanuel Machiwa (Administration and Finance Officer)
2. Yohannie Samwel Matinde (Project Officer)
3. Mabuba Ndege (PO)
4. Victor Sianga (Driver)
5. Jane Joseph Kaijage (Office Secretary)
6. Paul Magiri (PO)
7. Matesi Faustin (Social Welfare Officer)
8. Spemba Mabura (Volunteer)

Our Beneficiaries/ target group

1. Children and Mother
2. Young people (boys and girls)
3. Peoples with disabilities
4. Vulnerable children and youth
5. Poor and elders
6. Sick people with Chronic illnesses

Stakeholders/ partners

Government, communities, and community groups/CBOs/IPs and NGOs

Approaches

TEHDSO uses a participatory approach as its basic methodology to allow and encourage the community (the target group) in its own problem-solving and decision-making, and in implementing its development programs. TEHDSO considers this approach as a cornerstone to sustainable community development. This approach is also a means to maintain a sense of ownership and responsibility among the community, and to secure its contribution in development.

Strategies of the organization

The organization's strategies for the vision, mission, and goals include:

1. Individual motivation aimed at mobilizing others to be creative.
2. Internal capacity building of the organization's staff through training or mentorship.
3. Encouraging and ensuring networking and collaboration among all project/program stakeholders, the people, the government, and the voluntary sectors/ private sectors.
4. Initiating need-based sustainable community-identified developmental projects/programs.
5. Integrating gender issues in all development interventions.

Strength

• Persisting in working voluntarily. TEHDSO has a team of staff that is highly committed and has a passion for human development. This is backed up by the organization's need to promote community sustainable development through awareness creation on health and environmental issues, poverty alleviation, counseling, medical support, and environmental conservation.
• Good relationship in working with the local government (Tanzania Mainland Regions) on different developmental projects, including Religious Leaders
• Transparency and accountability in matters that involve the physical and financial implementation
• The organization has credibility trusted and respected in the community and local government at large.
• Collaboration with other development NGOs, CBOs, and FBO's on health and environmental issues with local and international volunteers who have already visited and work with the organization
• The organization has its Strategic Plan 2022-2026, its Human Resource and Policy Manual (HR & PM), Accounting Manual, and Financial Regulations. (AM & FR)

PART C: ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

Organization structure

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRPERSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSECRETARY

REGIONAL COORDINATOR

DISTRICT COORDINATOR

HEALTH COORDINATOR ECONOMY COORDINATOR ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR

COMMUNITY The

The General Assembly

General Assembly is the highest level of the organization. This board is chaired by a chairperson who governs TEHDSO, and the board is the supreme body responsible for policy formulation and approval of budgets and project work plans; it links TEHDSO with other stakeholders outside TEHDSO.

The Governing Body

(Board of Directors)

This organ consists of 8 members. The governing body formulates proposals relating to policies, decisions, and the budget for consideration by the General Assembly. It also oversees the proper implementation thereof. TEHDSO is privileged to have on its current Board experienced and committed members. Here are some of the responsibilities of the Board:

• Fundraising activities from various income sources.
• Monitors daily activities of the organization.
• Prepares and approves various policies.

HERE ARE THE BOARD MEMBERS:

1. William Mabanga - Chairperson
2. Joseph Musagasa - Secretary (Does not vote)
3. Maria Thomas - Member
4. Jackson Kisarwa - Member
5. Furaha Ng'ang'a - Member
6. Mwanzi Marko - Member
7. Zabron Maduka - Member
8. Andreas Migiro - Member

The Executive Director

The General Assembly appoints the Executive Director. In his/her capacity as the Executive Director, he/she is responsible for the proper execution of the policies, decisions, and directives of the governing body of the organization, the Finance Committee, and the General Assembly.

FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS

Health Department

• • Prepare plans and reports for the department.
  • Prepare proposals for the department.
  • Main implementer of departmental activities
  • Monitoring departmental activities

Economy Department

• • Prepare plans and reports for the department.
  • Prepare proposals for the department.
  • Main implementer of departmental activities
  • Monitoring departmental activities

Environment Department

• Prepare plans and reports for the department.
• Prepare proposals for the department.
• Main implementer of departmental activities
• Monitoring departmental activities

The Office staff members

1. Emmanuel J.Mageta – Chairperson
2. Dr Joseph Musagasa – Executive Director
3. Dr Nicodemus Kikoti – General Secretary
4. Mwanzi Alex - Program Coordinator
5. Andreas Migiro - Ass Program coordinator
6. Gabaro Joseph - Treasurer
7. Maria Kimori - Personal Secretary
8. Benjamin Mabuba – Field Officer
9. Maria Thomas – Volunteer
10. Daniel Kagosi – Volunteer

ORGANIZATION ARCHIEVEMENT AND CHALLENGES

Achievement

The following are the achievements of the organization since its inception.

• Good cooperation with the Governmental officials at the district and regional level, Mara and Mwanza regions.
• Strong collaboration with local CBOs/groups to implement organization projects in the village.
• Creation of the organization link/website through Envaya to interact with grant-makers and collaborate with other organizations and people around the world
• Increased publicity to score working with local and international volunteers/interns on different projects.
• Construction of houses and Improvement of buildings for some of the poorest families.
• Increased awareness of communicable and non-communicable diseases among the communities. e.g., HIV/AIDS, TB, Nutrition and Malnutrition, Malaria, Cervical & Breast cancers, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and Cancer of the prostate gland.
• Increased awareness of schooling youth concerning reproductive health, puberty, and the likely dangers, including sexual behavior, drug abuse, female genital mutilation, and the use of family planning to prevent unintended pregnancies and the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Some of the terminally ill patients, including children, got treatment at health facilities, including Bugando Referral Hospital, through TEHDSO and are being cured and are now healthy.
• Some of the terminally ill are still surviving through the assistance of TEHDSO, and their children are still attending school and getting food.
• Improved school attendance among school pupils after being mobilized and sensitized by TEHDSO members
• Payment of Community Health Funds to poor and disabled families holds
• Managed to conduct LOST To Follow up sensitization for HIV/AIDS infected persons on ART.

The

• Lack of donor funds to implement the organization's activities as per the Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026.
• No funds to cover health costs when disable/sick people or vulnerable children/orphans are identified with different illnesses.
• Lack of office working facilities eg. vehicle to reach the target communities, monitoring project activities, and field outreach
• Lack of funds to cover office running costs
• Lack of a motorcycle for field officers