59,667 poor families to benefit through Tasaf fund in Kagera region

A Total of 59,667 poor families in seven districts in Kagera region have been set to benefit in a programme aimed to empower poor families coordinated by Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) phase 3 out of the earlier 60,885families already registered. Speaking at the special inauguration meeting of the programme which was held at Uhuru grounds in Bukoba municipal council, Tasaf’ regional Coordinator  Efrazi Mkama said that the aim of the programme is to empower poor families financially to reduce the high rates of poverty stricken situation facing them He said the total beneficiaries of the programme in the region is relatively low due to a number of different reasons among them are deaths, immigration while some of them had refused to be registered on beliefs related to witch crafty. He said the programme will run for a period of 10 years and is divided in two phases of 5 years each, the aim of the government is to at least enable the poor families get their daily need and hence alleviate the life standards of the poor people and this will be a continuous process. “This work which has associated the poor community members is not the end as the exercise will continue among the communities so that they benefit”, the regional Tasaf coordinator said. He said the government has disbursed a total of Sh. 2.3 billion which has been paid to the 59,667 poor families which are payments for two months July and August 2015 respectively. Speaking at the inauguration, the Bukoba District Commissioner Jackson Msome, whop represented the Kagera Regional Commissioner John Mongella, called on the people to join hands in the implementation of this programme so that it might become more efficient to the needy people. However, he cautioned people not to accept other people’s ideas who do not want such kind of social development activities such as this one not to happen in their areas and cited reasons that the aim of the government is to upgrade people’s life