Jamal Mfaume lives in rural Tanzania and struggles with extreme poverty, earning only TZS 1,500 a day from his small food kiosk. His complicated marriage was on the verge of collapse after he got a job as a security guard but refused to share details about his nighttime activities. This secrecy pushed his wife away, revealing a troubling pattern of Jamal concealing his income and opportunities.

Despite his illiteracy and disability, Jamal was well-connected in his community and skilled in making clay pots. His wife, who was fortunately literate, had her own strengths. The best way to support this couple is by focusing on maximizing their individual talents, encouraging Jamal to share his skills and entrepreneurial knowledge with her, and cultivating teamwork between them.

Zaibu Ismail, Jamal’s wife, reflected, “If my husband had agreed to run the kiosk business with me, I would have been more motivated to work harder, and we might have saved some money.” She notes this as they still struggle to afford even a mattress.

GPF Tanzania visits rural families to survey their needs.

A similar case is Mshamu Hamisi’s family from Msimbati ward. Mr. Mshamu was once a driver, but illness halted his work, and his wife took on all the financial pressure. She began selling baked goods with TZS 10,000 and crushed stones to support their income.

This family, too, was overwhelmed by poverty, illness, and the responsibility of caring for five grandchildren. One major challenge was a high-interest loan (kaushadamu) that forced them to sell their essential land and rely on food donations for survival. They couldn’t afford basic needs, like school uniforms. Mshamu felt like a burden as he watched his wife work tirelessly, while he was unable to help.

A Tanzanian family listens to proposal to help empower their livelihood.

Their story is one of many we encounter through the Familia Moja initiative, a collaboration between Global Peace Foundation, Global Peace Women, government officials, and other partners aimed at reconciling families and enhancing their economic stability. We focus on encouraging harmony within families by discussing values like peace and mutual support, which helps shift their mindsets.

Our initiative goes beyond emotional support; we guide families on sustainable ways to improve their economic situations, preventing challenges from becoming lifelong burdens. We encourage families to plan and work together, understanding that financial stress can lead to conflict, gender-based violence, and broken relationships.

We also emphasize the importance of cherishing small moments of happiness together, encouraging couples not to let their problems overshadow their lives. Over time, these families can become peace ambassadors within their communities.

Besides promoting family relationships, we offer entrepreneurial training and aid for setting up family businesses. Our seed funding, often provided as motorcycles, can become a stable income stream or job creation tool. If a family member can’t manage the business, they have the option to employ assistance.

Women in rural Tanzania work hard to support their families during times of crisis.

How did we select such beneficiaries? By working closely with community development officers, we developed a set of criteria, including economic vulnerability, involvement in any peacebuilding initiative, disability status, entrepreneurial mindset, and potential for trainability.

Speaking on the selection criteria, Community Development Officer Mkulungwa Mohamed Hassan notes, “We chose two families from ten based on their active involvement in the community and potential. Even though they face extreme poverty, they have skills that just need a small boost. I’ve worked with similar individuals before, and we will keep working hard to uplift their living standards, particularly for their wives.”

To ensure the project’s sustainability, we have established a cost-recovery system, encouraging families to save a portion of their profits to help others in need. Thus, we are creating a cycle of empowerment and community upliftment.

Donate to Global Peace and help us uplift families in need in Tanzania and around the world.