The objective of the trust is to help families infected by AIDS to create small businesses to provide for their basic needs. Grants of up to $100 will be given to mothers to help them buy inventory and business supplies. With our help, these mothers should be able to generate a sustainable income to feed and lodge their families.
Monday morning was my first official day at work. We met around 40 mothers, all HIV-positive, to introduce them to the programme. These families currently have no income, and rely on international donors, such as the WHO, for food and support. At the end of the meeting, 2kg of rice, 2kg of flour and 500ml of oil were given to each. This can make around 15 meals, but most families have 5-10 or more children so it will only lasts a few days at most.
I am in charge of designing the training programme, as well as obtaining NGO status here in Tanzania. Bureaucracy is burdensome here in Tanzania, but the laws were recently modified to make it quick and easy to register NGOs.
The training programme I put together is extremely simple, yet covers the basics of marketing, accounting and sales forecasting. I designed sample income statements and cash flow statements, and tried to vulgarize the 4P model. The training was then translated to Swahili and delivered by Mr. Elias on Friday. I would be surprised that the participants remember more than half of what was said, but it's already much better than just handing over the cash without any guidance.
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