Abstract:
The study aimed to investigate on contribution of Tanzania social action fund (TASAF II)
program in improving the livelihoods of communities. Specifically aimed to examine the
perception and awareness of the community members on TASAF II Program in Makoongwe,
to assess the contribution of TASAF II Program in improving the livelihood in Makoongwe
community and lastly to find out the challenges associated with TASAF II Program in
improving the livelihood in Makoongwe Community. The study involved 60 respondents as
TASAF II program beneficiaries and vulnerable households were given questionnaires/house
hold questionnaire, and 5 respondents interviewed as key informants by applying purposive
sampling and 15 were employed for focus group discussion from the total of 75 respondents.
Two villages were selected namely Kinyasini and Kizambarauni and data was collected
through interviews, observation and household survey during the field survey and from TASAF
documents. The study observed that; 52 (87%) of respondents were understood about TASAF
program through meetings and being among the beneficiaries of the program and other they
got aware through home visitation. Only few of 08 (13%) respondents were not understood.
Through TASAF II program of cash base transfer the study revealed that the program was
contributed tremendously to improve the vulnerable group livelihood were by 03(5%) were
able to establish business, 24 (40%) were able to buy food for their family, 03 (05%) for
medical access, 02(03%) established project such as livestock keeping and cultivation and
28(47%) they were able to procure of school needs for children. However the 60 respondents
from house hold notified that TASAF II program was faced with various challenge where by
about 03 (5%)of respondents were claimed on bureaucracy, 06(10%) low coverage in regards
to the people in need, 10 (17%) poor participation for program beneficiaries, 23(38%)
deduction of cash transferred without proper information to the beneficiaries, 07(12%) poor
supervision, 02 (03%) poor information to the program beneficiaries and 08(13%) delaying of
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money and 01(02%) poor of community involvement of the TASAF program. So far the District
Social Welfare Officer and other government officers agreed on the presence of these
challenges during the implementation of the TASAF II program The study concluded that, the
TASAF II program has contributed to improve livelihood of Makoongwe households while the
impacts was not much in regard to the program target. Through the cash transfer beneficiaries
were able to secure food for their families, few among them were able to start up income
generating activities especially cultivation of vegetables and fruits and livestock keeping as
well as small business for some beneficiaries which help them to improve their income per day
and acquiring some necessity needs of life including clothes while different challenges raised
during implementation were taken as huge block to reach the target goal of the program. The
study recommends that proper information should be given to beneficiaries on their money,
knowledge on investment of their cash transfer also the community assessment need survey
should be conducted very participatory and prior to the program implementation.