A TOTAL of 170 young mothers in Morogoro Municipality, who had their education disrupted after becoming pregnant, have been supported with sewing machines and other equipment to help them achieve financial independence.

They received the support which went along with special sewing training through training provided by the Skills for Employment Tanzania (SET) project, run by Tesifa Tanzania (TT).

Speaking here recently, Jasca Punguti, TT programme director said the initiative aims to support women abandoned by their partners by equipping them with skills to become self-employed, thus preventing them from abandoning their children or turning to illegal activities to meet their needs.

The project was supported by Swisscontact through the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania.

In addition to aiding the women, the programme also supports a group of youth living in challenging conditions by offering free technical training and, upon completion, free supporting equipment to start their own businesses.

Masunga Isumbi, information officer at Swisscontact Tanzania, revealed that the second phase of the SET project commenced in 2022.

 By 2024, they had launched 23 projects aimed at teaching technical skills for self-employment or employment which have been carried out across various districts in Morogoro through different non-governmental organisations.

The project targets youth aged 15 to 24, providing them with technical skills training to enable self-employment or employment and help them avoid poverty.

Isumbi emphasized that the main objective of SET’s participation in the Farmers’ Exhibition is to provide youth with the opportunity to showcase products from their training in sectors such as fish farming, poultry, food processing, sewing, and other entrepreneurial areas. This aims to give them market experience, helping them become self-employed and combat poverty.

He said the exhibition has offered youth a chance to exchange ideas and experiences about their work and connect with businesspeople and farmers from other parts of Tanzania. This exposure is expected to inspire them to work harder and enhance their economic status and that of their families.

Swisscontact, in collaboration with various stakeholders through the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania, will continue to support youth by providing knowledge and training in technical skills to help improve their livelihoods and overcome poverty.

The Nanenane fair has provided youth with an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences about their work and meet with businesspeople and farmers from other parts of Tanzania. This opportunity is expected to inspire them to work harder and boost their economic status and that of their families.

Swisscontact, in collaboration with various stakeholders through the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania, will continue to support youth by providing knowledge and training in technical skills to help them improve their livelihoods and overcome poverty.

In Morogoro Region, SET project is implemented in Morogoro Municipality, Morogoro District Council, Gairo, Kilosa, Mvomero and Kilombero districts and will continue to reach various areas in Morogoro based on needs, with plans to extend to the Iringa and Mbeya regions with funding from the Swiss Embassy in Tanzania.