THE climate change training extended to Lihimalyao residents in Kilwa District, Lindi Region has brought positive results, with a decline in illegal mangrove tree cutting and fishing activities.

Said Mpuna, Lihimalyao Ward, Legal assistant said this recently when speaking to journalists during the launch of Kilwa Youth Development  Initiatives’ (KIYODI) three-year Strategic Plan.

The event was attended by KIYODI members, ActionAid Tanzania staff, and Kilwa Community Development Officers.

The training was offered free of charge by a legal assistant in collaboration with the Dira Yetu Initiative.

“We are very happy with what has been achieved so far because there is sufficient security now and there is also a Beach Management Unit (BMU) that helps protect these areas and the community in general,” he says

Although they are protecting these areas, there are still people using the mangrove areas to persuade children to engage in sexual activities, especially during holidays.

They persuade children when they go swimming, they give them 1000/- after they have had sex with them so that when they return home, they can buy flour for food and are also given a little fish, something which is very dangerous to children’s lives.

“After identifying these challenges, as paralegals, we have launched a new campaign aimed at educating children about gender-based violence (GBV) and how they can report GBV incidents to paralegals, village leaders, teachers, and police gender desks,” he says

Additionally, residents of Lihimalyao ward have established a special programme to conserve mangrove trees and coastal beaches to tackle climate change and assist people stay on a safe planet.

 “We have decided to introduce this programme to prevent strong waves that come from the deep sea from reaching the shore,” he says   

The decline in coral reefs has caused the waves to become larger, although the situation has improved recently.

Although they have successfully educated people about climate change and provided training to women and girls on their economic, political, social, and cultural rights, they still lack the financial resources needed to support the activities of the KIYODI platform.

Additionally, KIYODI members lack reliable markets for selling the products they produce in their localities and do not have a specific office to carry out their activities.

KIYODI currently operates in 10 wards such as Kilwa Masoko,  Kilwa Kivinje, Mandawa,  Lihimalyao, Njinjo, Mitole, Miguruwe, Miteja, Namayuni and Kipatimu.

It has established 10 youth reflection groups with 221 members, engaging in entrepreneurship ventures like horticulture and motorcycle taxi businesses.

He applauded ActionAid Kilwa for helping the youth develop a comprehensive strategic plan.

He appealed to various stakeholders to assist in building a dedicated office so they can empower youth economically, politically, and socially, as well as educate them on good governance, accountability, agriculture, the environment, and other key issues.