and ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Empowering Women and Youth for Safer, Stronger Communities
Economic hardship often ripples far beyond household budgets, fuelling insecurity that can manifest in violence against women and children and taking a heavy toll on parents’ mental health. Strengthening household economies is therefore not just an investment in income – it is an investment in the safety, resilience, and future of entire communities. At TAI, we prioritize empowering families, particularly women and young people, to secure sustainable livelihoods and foster community well-being. Our initiatives in this space include the Women in Sunflower Business, She Farms, Get a Goat, pay a Goat scheme, and the integration of Village Savings and Loan (VSLA) programs—all designed to transform economic potential into lasting social impact.
Women in sunflower business
In Kishapu District, Shinyanga, where teenage mothers often face poverty and stigma, TAI—supported by Impact Direct and Wield Ganzel—empowers 130 young single mothers (ages 17–25) through sunflower farming and the sunflower oil value chain. The project provides training in farming, oil processing, entrepreneurship, parenting, and life skills, alongside psychosocial support and access to VICOBA savings groups. By combining income generation with personal growth, the initiative helps participants achieve financial independence, rebuild confidence, and challenge social bias—transforming hardship into opportunity through community support and donor partnership.
She Farms
In Nhelegani village, Shinyanga, the WALIMA MCHICHA group—120 women aged 40 to 70—farm a 9-acre plot to support their families through vegetable sales. Many are single mothers or have limited spousal support, relying on farming as their main income source. While farming thrives during the rainy season, dry-season productivity is limited due to water shortages, leaving many women idle and without income.
To address this, TAI supported the group by constructing an irrigation system with a borehole and pump, enabling year-round farming. This has increased participation and boosted household incomes. However, the project still needs a solar power system and elevated water tank to be fully operational and sustainable.