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Over 400 UWT women vow to intensify fight against poverty
2008-01-25 08:53:14
By Bilham Kimati
Over 400 small-scale women entrepreneurs who gathered at the PTA Hall in Dar es Salaam yesterday have vowed to collectively intensify the war against poverty.
In her welcoming remarks during the official launching of a comprehensive entrepreneurship training programme, the coordinator of the women income-generating groups under UWT--Chama Cha Mapinduzi`s Women wing, Janet Massaburi, (Special Seats MP) informed IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi that women were determined to fight poverty in all its facets. Mengi was the chief guest on the ocassion.
She said under the initiative more than 2,000 members from Ilala, Temeke and Kinondoni districts would undergo training on the basics of business management and learn how to make candles, batik, soaps, food processing and conservation of the environment, among others.
``The women you see here today come from different parts of the city and would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the immense support that you have extended to them in realising their dream of ending poverty.
Thank you for the supplies worth 30m/- that you have given to us to ensure success in this wide-scale scheme,`` said Massaburi.
She said women from all seven zones in Dar es Salaam would be given the opportunity to join the scheme and share the knowledge with colleagues wishing to stand up against poverty.
``we have come to the age whereby as women we should not waste time gossiping or singing subterfuge songs against someone`s husband. Here is my husband Dr Didas Massaburi, (legislator at the East African Legislative Assembly) whom I give as a sacrifice so that he assists those who want to be fully engaged in productive activities. Helping a woman is helping the whole nation,`` she said amid claps.
For his part, Dr Massaburi, pledged to give full support to women groups in all 73 wards in Dar es Salaam.
He pledged to offer three embroidery machines for the three districts and a sewing machine for each ward in the region.
``I would like to assure you that the chances for tremendous success in your (entrepreneurs) efforts are wide open and I will provide the training locall1y to help make your dream come true,`` said Dr Massaburi.
The initial stage of the training sessions started mid November last year and women from at least six wards have learnt how to make `tie and dye` batik.
They are from Vingunguti, Kitunda, Buguruni, Segerea, Kiwalani and Pugu. The women also took part in the official launching of the training by Mengi.
They asked the IPP executive chairman to accept their request to become the guardian of the group for the entire scheme besides pledging hardworking in order to achieve impressive success.
Mengi expressed gratitude for the invitation extended to him by the entrepreneurs, adding that he had reasons for not turning down the invitation.
``My presence here is in support of the commitment by President Jakaya Kikwete to help Tanzanians fight poverty for better living standards.
MP Janet did not ask for the assistance to undertake individual projects, but rather to help women entrepreneurs start up businesses. I want to share the kind of happiness attained by those determined to grind down poverty,`` Mengi said.
He said accumulation of wealth for selfish spending would be meaningless as long as fellow human beings continued to suffer from poverty related complications.
However, Mengi spelt out some of the principles of business. ``Exhaustion of capital is sinful in business.
Financial discipline is necessary no matter small the capital is; capital will always grow through careful planning.
Get to know exactly the kind of project you intend to put up and ask God for guidance,`` he explained.
Quality products, said Mengi would ensure sustainability of every business and withstand the market challenges.
The IPP executive chairman also said that confidence among entrepreneurs was very vital.
He challenged them to believe that they can make a difference in life.
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