Micro Credit for Economic Empowerment of Vulnerable Women: A Case of Kimara Matangini Stree

The general objective of the project is to establish micro-credit schemes for women for income generating activities at Kimara Matangini Street (Mtaa) in Saranga ward, Kinondoni municipality, Dar es Salaam region. The project has been conceived basing on Community Needs Assessment (CNA) conducted in the area in April 2012. Primary data collecting methods included Structured Questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions and Observations. Documentary analysis was used to gather secondary data. At least 270 women will benefit from through access to capital for income generating activities by the end of the project in March 2015. Five objectives have been implemented during the period from April 2012 to June 2013. They include: 1) To strengthen the performance of the host organization; 2) To increase the awareness of at least 10 local leaders on microcredit and VSLA methodology; 3) To mobilize vulnerable women to form village and savings and loans associate groups; 4) To strengthen supervision and monitoring system of the project; 5) To mobilize community members for broadening implementation resources. The remaining two objectives will be implemented as from July 2013 to March 2015. Several recommendations have been drawn including to: recover costs through charging Village Savings and Loans Associate (VSLAs) methodology trainings; strengthen management through having full time paid employees, publicize the project through producing leaflet materials describing the project and enhance community trust and ownership through encouraging community participation in the project. To ensure continuity of the project, a sustainability plan has been developed