To Assess the Contributions of Tanzania Social Action Fund (Tasaf Ii) Program in Improving The Livelihoods Of Communities in Zanzibar

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 vi 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.