Mkomazi Outreach Programme
Mkomazi Community Outreach Programme 1993 – 2019:
School Development and Construction:
- Kisiwani Secondary School, Same District
- Construction of the Kisiwani Secondary School, including renovation of an old building for the headmaster’s house, construction of staff rooms, office administration rooms, eight classrooms for a five year intake, pit latrines, furniture, filing cabinets, tables and chairs etc. The villagers made the majority of the bricks needed and the Same District Council organised the electricity. The Wildlife Division donated 2 classrooms. Teachers were recruited by the Ministry of Education. Ministry of Education run the school.
- Donation of burglar bars and chipboard for the ceiling of the new computer room in the Kisiwani Secondary School.
- Donation of funds for the construction of an independent pipeline for water for the school.
- Donation of funds for the construction of a science laboratory for the school.
The construction of this school demonstrated the good cooperation between wildlife conservationists, local communities and District Development officers. This school was opened in August 1999 by the Honourable Minister Mrs Zakia Meghji. It was later visited by the Honourable Minister for Education. The school was later expanded to include tertiary education.
Occasional loan of WPTF tractor to help with building projects at Kisiwani Secondary School.
- Same Secondary School, Same District
Donation of the roofing materials for classrooms in the Same Secondary School (Same District).
- Roman Catholic Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement for classrooms
- Vudee Secondary School, Same District
Donation of considerable cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for classroom construction in the Vudee Secondary School.
- Madaveni Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for classroom construction and refurbishment in the Madaveni Secondary School.
- Vumari Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for classroom construction and refurbishment in the Vumari Secondary School
- Malindi Suji Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for classroom construction and refurbishment in Marindi Suji Secondary School
- Hedaru Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement and bricks for construction of a library at Hedaru Secondary School
- Kankokoro Secondary School, Kihurio Ward, Same District
Donation of corrugated iron roofing sheets for classroom construction. This secondary school is a merged entity between Kihurio Secondary School and Ndungu Secondary School.
- Shighatini Secondary School, Mwanga District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for classroom construction and refurbishment in the Shighatini Secondary School.
- Lunguza Secondary School, Lushoto District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Lunguza Secondary School.
- Mapanda Secondary School, Mkomazi Village, Korogwe District
Donation of cement, corrugated iron roofing sheets, plastering material and floor rendering material to complete one classroom, construct a further classroom and assist towards the construction of a dormitory.
- Kivingo Secondary School, Lushoto District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classrom construction in the Kivingo Secondary School
- Kisiwani High School, Same District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Kisiwani High School
- Gonja Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Gonja Secondary School
Second donation of cement, corrugated iron roofing sheets, wooden frames and the cement for the foundations for two science laboratories at Gonja Secondary School
- Ndungu Secondary School, Korogwe District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Ndungu Secondary School
- Mgagao Secondary School, Mwanga District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Mgagao Secondary School
- Kibacha Secondary School, Same District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Kibacha Secondary School
- Buiku Secondary School, Korogwe District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Buiku Secondary School
- Mnazi Secondary School, Lushoto District
Donation of cement and corrugated iron roofing sheets for roofing of classrooms and classroom construction in the Mnazi Secondary School
- Pangaro Primary School, Mwanga District
Donation of cement and roofing sheets for classroom construction.
- Kivingo Primary School, Lushoto District
A donation for classroom construction was raised in April 2007 for Kivingo Primary School.
- Kisiwani Primary Schools, Same District
Donations and assistance to six primary schools in Kisiwani Ward (corrugated iron sheets, refurbishment, windows, door frames, cement, plaster insecticides to fight termites, new desks).
- Same Primary School, Same District
Assistance given to Same Primary School for teaching materials and sports equipment.
- Mnazi Primary School, Lushoto District
Donation of cement for classroom construction in the Mnazi Primary School
- Same Education Board, Same District
Annual donations of funds to the Same Education Board for use at their discretion for educational projects within Same District.
Water Development:
- Kisima Dam, Mkomazi Game Reserve / National Park
Construction of a dam in the Kisima valley, Mkomazi Game Reserve, for use by elephants and buffalo, thereby providing an alternative water source for them, to help eliminate the conflict between villagers and village farms and these large mammals.
- Kavumbugu Village, Same District
Donation of a water pump to the villagers of Kavumbugu Village for their water project and rural dam.
- Dam Desilting, Same District
Use of WPTF plant machinery (JCB and dam scoop) and operators to desilt three dams in Nadururu, Kinshaa and Njiro villages in rural areas outside the Mkomazi Game Reserve. The request came from the MP for Same and the Ministry of Agriculture. The dams now hold a considerable amount of water for cattle and village use.
- Borehole and Water Pump, Zange Headquarters, Mkomazi Game Reserve
In 1993 – undertaking of a for the survey and sinking of a borehole at Zange HQ. In 2002, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and the Wildlife Division paid for electricity to be brought down from the main road down to the Zange HQ. Once the electricity was in place, WPTF paid for a water pump for the original borehole. The villagers of Majevu village are now allowed to collect water from Zange twice weekly, saving them the long journey into Same town (the only other water source) on foot.
Community Conservation Safaris:
Representatives from the Trusts, the Wildlife Division management of MGR and the District Development Officers from the relevant District Councils undertook joint community conservation safaris to the main villages surrounding MGR in three districts (Same, Mwanga and Lushoto). This was for the purpose of:
- a) discussing the history and aims of the Mkomazi Project with the people and village representatives, including the work of the WD and the Trusts and the long term development of MGR in relation to the local communities;
- b) to hold frank and open discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of living near a protected area;
- c) to identify the priority needs of each village and to determine where GAWPT/WPTF and the WD could assist.
Through these safaris, the Trusts actively fundraised to assist the villages identified with priority needs to address these needs practically and pragmatically.
Other Works:
- Same District Council, Same District
- Use of WPTF Grader and JCB and operators to undertake drainage and ditch works in Same town.
- Use of WPTF vehicles and drivers for five National Polio Vaccination Campaigns in the districts surrounding Mkomazi Game Reserve.
- Use of WPTF Grader and JCB and operators to excavate hole in Same town for new community petrol tanks. (PADECO) at request of Project Manager
- Donation of a photocopier for the District Commissioner’s office, Same District.
- Use of WPTF’s JCB to clear a new road from Same town to Vumari village and further on past the village up the mountain.
- Donation of fuel to Same District Commissioners over the years for work within the District.
- Donation of cement and roofing sheets for construction of a rest house for the visit by HE The President, Jakaya Kikwete.
Women’s Groups and Youth Hostels:
- Women’s Youth Hostel, Same District
Donation of cement for the construction of a women’s hostel by the Roman Catholic Church.
Kisiwani Women’s Group (KUHAWA)
- Assistance (donations) to women’s groups in Kisiwani and Same
- Donation of a Gestetner photocopying machine for the Women’s Group.
- Donation of funds to the Women’s Group to help towards physiotherapy unit for disabled children
- Same Women’s Group
Donation of funds to help launch the Same Women’s Group
Various:
- Mkomazi Game Reserve Football Team, Same District
Assistance and support given to the Mkomazi Game Reserve Football Club. Team shirts, shorts and football boots, footballs, transport to away-matches were provided by WPTF.
- Kisiwani Village Medical Dispensary, Same District
Donation of funds for the refurbishment of medical dispensary in Kisiwani village.
- Same Police Station, Same Town, Same District
Donation of cement for the construction of new Same Police Station
- Educational Fees
Donation of the fees for a young teacher to attend MWEKA College of African Wildlife Management in order for him to act as liaison officer between the reserve management, WPTF and the local communities.
- Various bursaries for tuition fees for pupils to attend university, secondary school, primary school and teacher training college.
- Donation of cement to Lutheran church for the bell tower.
- Donation of cement to the Same town mosque for refurbishment.
- Educational Visits
MWEKA College for African Wildlife Management send in 1 or 2 groups of students per year for educational talks and field visits on the endangered species programmes for the black rhino and African wild dog, as well as management and infrastructural development.
- Educational Information
WPTF worked with the African Environmental Film Foundation who produced films in Kiswahili on the most significant threats to environmental sustainability
- Environmental Education Programme ‘Rafiki wa Faru’ 2008 – 2019
This environmental education programme was developed for the benefit of the local communities, especially local school pupils, as through this initiative they will be actively involved in local environmental issues and wildlife, significantly the conservation of the black rhino and wild dog.
The pupils were all from Form 1 of the secondary schools (aged approx 15 years old), as well as village and community leaders and teacher groups.
Project Objectives
To link local school children and community groups with conservation.
- Raise awareness amongst school children to secure long-term sustainability for Mkomazi National Park and its conservation efforts.
- Encourage active involvement through environmental education initiatives, significantly black rhino conservation, so that the next generation of Tanzanians will understand sustained conservation.
- Increase the number of children that will experience wildlife in a safe environment, especially as many Tanzanian children have not seen wildlife in its natural environment.
- Disseminate comprehensive educational materials.
- Develop an audio visual programme and participatory learning tools.
- Gonja Mheza Rhino Vocational Training Centre 2012 – 2019.
In partnership with three foundations, funding was raised by the Suzuki Rhino Club at an event for the construction and equipping of a vocational training centre (VTC) in Gonja Mheza. This is a fully sponsored private VTC for 300 students with a hundred boarders and two hundred day school pupils. Construction of the VTC was completed in July 2015. The VTC is managed and run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Same, with support from the District Council of Same. The VTC has now expanded to become a secondary school as well.
The school is a trust with board members from the local/district government, donors and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Same. The Diocese is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration. The district government authorities ensure that the school works within the appropriate government regulations and have supplied qualified teachers, as well as electricity and water to site. The subjects taught are welding/metal work, carpentry, masonry, electricity, car repairs and mechanics, farming and agriculture, and computer lessons.
Funds were raised to construct teacher housing and to support bursaries for the poorest students, bulk food for the students and the purchase of agricultural land for growing crops for the students and staff.
The foundation stone for the VTC was laid by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Mizengo Pinda in 2016.
