I recently read the following quote in Jane Goodall’s book, The Book of Hope, which is a wonderful and very appropriate summary of the Target Program Health (TP4). The quote reads:
We need to have realistic goals to pursue, as well as realistic pathways to achieve them.
In addition, we need the confidence that we can achieve these goals, and the support to help us overcome adversity. – Jane Goodall
We had goals: namely to create awareness and educate FAWCO members on female genital mutilation (FGM) and other health-related topics (specifically as they pertain to women) and to raise funds for the Target Project, and we knew the pathways to help us in succeeding to do so. Then COVID-19 came along, and we had to navigate through an unknown scenario; the known pathways had to be thrown out of the window, and we had to find new solutions. With our confidence intact that we could make this work and the support of you, the FAWCO community, we overcame adversity and we grew stronger, united in the goal to support the TP4 Target Project, Safe Alternatives for FGM Elimination!
The FAWCO Target Program Health 2019-2022 (TP4) was wrapped up on Friday, March 4, 2022. Below is a short summary of the presentation shared with the FAWCO community:
- The Target Team had an extensive education and awareness program, including 59 blogs addressing a wide variety of health-related topics, arranging numerous meetings and workshops and facilitating more than 20 screenings of the documentary In the Name of Your Daughter;
- Rhobi Samwelly and the team of Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania have to be applauded for the incredible work that they have done during an unprecedented time. They achieved and exceeded all the goals set in the original Statement of Agreement (SoA). Here is a high level summary of some of the outcomes:
- Identified 523 families who experienced FGM and offered various forms of support;
- Extensive psychological counseling was provided to survivors, family and communities in individual and group sessions;
- 13 ARP (Alternative Rites of Passage) ceremonies were held with more than 5,000 attendees and 810 dignity kits given to girls;
- 402 girls successfully reconciled with their families; families have to sign a legal contract outlining their commitment to keeping their daughters safe and not proceeding with FGM or any other form of GBV (gender-based violence); regular follow-up is done to ensure this is adhered to;
- 1,126 women and girls trained on sexual and reproductve health, GBV, life skills and maternal and neonatal care;
- 146 peer educators trained to support the fight to eliminate FGM;
- 20 women′s groups were provided with seed funding to start income-generating projects;
- Empowerment meetings conducted in five villages with 200 attendees;
- NHIF cards made available to 100 women while contributing to family income;
- Extensive community and school awareness, including roadshows, school awareness sessions, film screening sessions, leaflets, women’s forums, radio programs and billboards;
- And finally, all important, establishing even closer relationships with various roleplayers at central and local government level.
Your support has been incredible. The FAWCO community raised 176,00 USD for the Target Project, Safe Alternatives for FGM Elimination.
Please continue to check the Target Program Health 2019-2022 webpage, as well as the FAWCO Target Project: Health for Women & Girls Facebook group, where updates will be provided on the work of Rhobi and the staff of Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania and the progress of the girls of Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania.
Thank you very much. Your support has meant so much to us!
Asante sana! Shukrani zetu hazina mwisho, na usaidizi wako usioyumba umemaanisha ulimwengu kwetu!