QUARTERLY REPORT FOR MAARIFA CENTRE-SHINYANGA

ARID LANDS INFORMATION NETWORK
P.O BOX 10098, 00100 NAIROBI


QUARTERLY REPORT FOR MAARIFA CENTRE (MARCH-JUNE 2008)


BY

MWANTUMU JONGO
COMMUNITY INFORMATION VOLUNTEER

SHINYANGA -TANZANIA



MARCH 2008








Introduction
This is a report on Community Knowledge Centre(CKC) particularly “Maarifa centre” from March to June 2008. It discusses and highlights the activities carried out on the quarterly basis.

The CKC
Maarifa centre is a Community Knowledge Centre open to the public for six days in a week (Monday to Saturday). A tally indicator tool is used to determine the number and gender of people who visited the CKC each day and what they needed in terms of services- get info, read materials e.t.c


Activities undertaken in the quarter (March-June 2008)

WORKSHOP
During the month of April 2008 workshop was organized by ALIN inorder to instil knowledge to CIV Knowledge facilitatators understand ALIN networking concept, to learn new skills on use of appropriate ICTs information and to expose and train volunteers in integrated approaches to information monitoring and evaluation. This workshop took place at Kitui / KEFRI attended by 21 Community Information Volunteers and Knowledge facilitatators. I attended and presented a detailed report with suggestions to how CIVs can monitor their activities at the CKCs.

ORIENTATION TO NAFRAC
Soon after my arrival, I was introduced to NAFRAC and its departments for the purpose of getting more information about NAFRAC how it works. Through the orientation I came to know there are four departments that include, Administration, Documentation and dissemination, Research and development and Capacity Building and community empowerment. This enabled me to work properly in order to achieve my daily work. Also I participated in mobilization and motivating departments to give out information to the community and other stakeholder’s.also to raise awareness, conduct consultations and establish baselines informations. To date, some of the staff has promised to write articles.
Also orientation extended to radio FARAJA and SIBUKA management.


ORIENTATION TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
The process has beared fruits;it has is easened the task to get information from these groups and they have created articles of their of their own,, a good example Mr. A. A. Chuwa he wrote “Rice Irrigation scheme at Bugweto” They said that earlier there was no sound coordination between members of focal groups and CIV. Currently it is easy to submit an article when we recognize and they promised me to give out information .They request for the baobab newslettesr as early as possible in order to meet their requirement.

Meeting to strengthen Focal Group
Through out this period my intension has been to attain the target as early as possible and to formulate a new focal groups near to Maarifa centre which include farmers, media press, student at primary school level and o-level and advanced student ,colleges and workers this enable me to give out local information’s. Introduce 5 new one focal Groups at chibe village which consist a farmers called Juhudi and Maarifa, mwagala consist a women small scale agriculture based on drip irrigation called and Shinyanga Municipal Council which include extension officer.


ICT training
One training was done within march-June 2008. 1female and 4 males received training on Microsoft power point appllication and can now use this program. Follow up is underway to assess the impact of the activity. More people were interested to be taught on ICTS . Henceforth 3 focal groups were enlighted on how to operate and download informations from world space and how to write an article inorder to raise an interest on shared information.
The groups were from Lubaga (Safina njema), Mwagala and Chibe village


Recruiting ALIN members
80 people were recruited to the ALIN network. 35 female and 45 male.

Information gathering/ articles creation

In the last quarter, I have generated a total of 80 articles on various livelihood issues. However, the quarter was too involving as I had a meeting to plan on, Health education campaigns and video clips to do in addition to managing the information centre.
In the CKC’s I tried on my level best to look for Kiswahili books and other reading materials from different partners like REPOA,FEMINA,ZAIN . Furthermore I managed to collect materials on Sera ya madini, Sera ya Taifa,Sera ya kudhibiti UKIMWI, Sera ya Mazingira,Sheria inayolinda uonevu dhidi ya wanawake ,Sheria ya mirathi na wosia, ukweli kuhusu Kichocho and and books like that Juma na Kichocho and watu na miti .10 different types of brochures which emphasize a knowledge based. 2 Newsletter of TATEDO and Misitu ni Mali. Also I developed and introduced a game for children when they attend its becomes easy to entertain and make an habit to ready.




Information dissemination
2 brochures of TAFORI and Maarifa were printed and distributed. Also participated to upgrade NAFRAC news letter and Maarifa –habari ni nguzo through information collection and design, articles up to now Maarifa Centre had not received any copy of the Baobab but 80 articles disseminated in the quarter with expressed satisfaction to the information.
Health=15, Environment=10 Traditions=15, Agriculture=30 , News=6, Projects=4
I conducted a case studies on good and bad practices on KICK and send to ALIN.
IMPACT ASSESMENT STUDY
Participated in an impact assessment study undertaken in Shinyanga by ALIN in collaboration with its partners during the week of 13th to 17th September 08. The main objective of this study was to test a set of key indicators developed by NOVIB partner organizations to measure changes in peoples lives to which their work contributes over a longer term period. ALIN is regarded as one of the NOVIB partners and therefore chose to undertake this study in Shinyanga because of the long term relationship and the many info exchange activities they had partnered in implementation. In this regard, I was requested to support in undertaking this activity. Questionnaires were administered and at least more than 100 community members responded actively.


MEDIA RELATIONS AND NETWORKING.

Informal and formal way of sharing and exchanging experience has been part of my approach.

Generating information, processing and making presentation through various media. Eg Radio faraja………………& Radio Sibuka.( Stories generated includes…Ijue Maarifa Centre, Mirathi na wosia, Afya ya Kinywa na Meno,usafi wa mazingira na afya ya mtu binafsi, Upatikanaji wa maji safi na salama,and ijue sheria ya Ardhi

I attended a workshop conducted at Mazingira centre which included a Shinyanga Press club on how to write an a article which was facilitated by SNV and Media Tanzania council.(MTCL)
Also I attended a workshop conducted with a TAWLAE(Tanzania women Association ) which work with legal and Paralegal in collaboration with a Shinyanga Municipal Council Management. I participated in celebration for elder people invited by TAWLAE and HELP AGE International the main theme was on “right for elder people” Old is gold.
.

During documentation process of Mazingira day exhibitions I managed to share experiences with many media officials

Key Challenges faced
Technical problems-GPRS, Virus threats, World space receiver
Lack of internet service at Maarifa centre
Lack of adequate information to provide information sought by visitors including books, newspapers, entertainment magazines, and agriculture information.
Inadequate facilities like stationery, computer and cartridge
Transport problem , hindered me to reach remote areas .
6. Lack of fund to manage a Radio Programme



Overcoming the challenges
I frequently traveled to NAFRAC in order to surf information particularly OKN information also to send the created articles.
Providing the few available information to needy people.
Hire bicycle
Lobbying other stakeholder to support a radio programe but not sustainable.
Achievements
§ People became more informed and convinced about ALIN.
§ Different Programmes conducted at NAFRAC were documented and disseminated duly through study visits( political leaders, farmers, extension officers , decision makers), school field excursions etc
§ Publicized NAFRAC and ALIN at Maarifa Centre during Mazingira day exhibitions, this exhibitions was attended by more one thousands peoples and the vice president was a guest of honour also the Minister of Environment Batilda Buriani attended.
§ Publicized Maarifa Centre three(3 ) times through Radio Program Radio Faraja and 6 Program on Radio Sibuka at Maswa.
§ 30 persons from MECHASO were informed on how ALIN work when visited NAFRAC .
§ 4 video Program were produced which include mazingira day .
§ Built good relationship with a Shinyanga Press club thus it is easier for me to get information because their leader always furnishes me with update news conducted at this area .

§ Built network with SNV; Cooperate with SNV to support a health training programmed based on five basic principles of health involving 8 primary schools in Maswa district. The out come of this train now the behavior of student changed when did we visit this school had a healthily club which act like a media person on educating each other on how to protect them selves. 120.student were mobilized and currently use a instrument called Kibuyu chirizi (Swahili) instead of using sink or tape water because many schools in Tanzania particularly in remote areas usually face water scarcity

§ Produced several documents like NAFRAC newsletter, Maarifa newsletter, TAFORI brochure, Maarifa brochure etc
§ Creation of articles from the focal groups that explores the indigenous knowledge.
§ Fund rising from SNV to conduct a Programme called Child to child

Testimonies from users
Through verbal testimonies like; Centre manager and NAFRAC staff members verbally appreciated of the initiatives undertaken by a newly recruited volunteer ‘’Mwantumu’’, That’s me! Because within a short period of time I have been able to produce several documents like NAFRAC newsletter, Maarifa newsletter, TAFORI brochure etc
Readily availability of educative information provided by CKC to the targeted audience
Mr A A chuwa an Agricultural officer had the following to say; “Stakeholders of CKC should be committed and well coordinated, as such a journalist with a strong vision like you is vital for the success of such initiatives”.
Also from the
Also in the CKS there is a suggestion books thre is a aseveral recommendations and appreciation on my work and how to survive.

Lessons learnt
From the testimonies from users and the interest generated by the CKC, this shows that with improved capacity, it can enhance information access and increase awareness to the local community.
The focal group meeting was an eye opener judging from the gender balance achieved and participation by women. The focal group can therefore increase women’s participation in development especially among the Sukuma people.