Transforming Lives: The Lasting Impact of ICS on Communities Throughout Tanzania

By Adonis Byemelwa

Child abuse and harmful stereotypes are pressing issues in the Lake Zone regions of Tanzania, reflecting broader societal challenges. In a conversation with a Pan African Visions senior reporter, we discussed the impactful work of Investing in Children and Strengthening their Societies (ICS) with Program Manager Sabrina Majikata. As a beacon of hope, ICS is dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children and families, addressing the root causes of abuse, and empowering communities for a safer, more equitable Tanzania.

ICS has made significant strides in improving the school environment and addressing child protection in rural Tanzania. Could you share with us what inspired the founding of ICS and the vision that drives its mission today?

ICS started 16 years ago with one simple goal: to make schools a better place for kids in rural Tanzania. Back then, we noticed something striking—many children preferred staying at school even after classes ended because their home environments were often tough. So, we rolled up our sleeves and started improving schools. We built better classrooms, dug wells, and made sure schools had clean water. The idea was to create a place where kids felt safe, comfortable, and excited to learn. That was just the beginning.

As we worked, we quickly realized that to truly make a difference, we had to look beyond the school walls. Many children were still struggling because their families were facing poverty, harsh traditions, and instability. So, we decided to shift gears and help parents, especially moms, become economically stable through agricultural projects like cotton and maize farming. Our thinking was simple: if families are financially secure, kids are less likely to face early marriage or abuse, and they can focus on being kids. Today, ICS is all about creating stronger families, safer schools, and brighter futures for the next generation.

The shift from focusing solely on educational infrastructure to empowering parents through economic stability programs was a pivotal move for ICS. What were the key factors that led ICS to expand its interventions to include agribusiness and economic empowerment for families?

Initially, ICS focused on improving school environments—better classrooms, clean water, and the basics. But as we spent more time in these communities, we started to see the bigger picture. Kids were thriving at school, but many were going home to really difficult situations—poverty, hard labor, and even abuse. It became clear that no matter how much we improved the schools, the problems kids faced at home were holding them back. That’s when we knew we had to do more than just fix classrooms; we had to support the families too.

Agribusiness was a natural fit for us because it’s such a vital part of rural life. By helping parents, especially women, get involved in farming projects like cotton and maize, we could create financial stability in their households. If parents could earn a decent living, it would not only reduce the pressure on their kids to contribute financially but also tackle harmful practices like early marriages. It was about breaking the cycle—if families are strong and stable, kids can stay in school and avoid the struggles that come from poverty. That’s why we made the move to economic empowerment, and it’s been a game-changer for the communities we serve.

Early marriage and child abuse have been identified as pressing issues in the regions ICS operates. How has ICS’s collaboration with the National Institute for Medical Research and Glasgow University informed your approach to tackling these challenges?

When we dug deeper into early marriage and child abuse, we knew we needed solid data. That’s why we partnered with the National Institute for Medical Research and Glasgow University to conduct a randomized control trial. The findings revealed a strong link between these issues and poverty, along with deeply rooted gender stereotypes. This insight was crucial for us to design targeted interventions.

We realized that economic empowerment alone wouldn’t suffice; we had to tackle the social norms behind these harmful practices. So, we created programs that not only support families financially but also educate parents on child rights and positive parenting. By changing attitudes alongside improving household incomes, we’re working on long-term solutions that uplift communities and protect children from abuse and early marriage.

ICS has adopted a comprehensive Ecological Model to ensure child protection in schools. Could you explain how this model works and how it has transformed the learning environment for children in the regions you serve?

The Ecological Model we’ve adopted at ICS is all about creating a safe and supportive environment for children, not just in the classroom but across the entire school. We recognized that child protection isn't just the responsibility of teachers—it involves everyone, from the cooks and guards to the matrons and patrons. So, we built a system where all these key people are trained to look out for the well-being of the kids. It's a whole-school approach, where everyone has a role in making sure children are safe, supported, and thriving.

This model has transformed schools. Kids now have more than just their teachers looking out for them. They feel safer knowing that the people they interact with daily are there to protect them. Plus, it’s created a more positive atmosphere in the schools. When children know they’re in a secure environment, they can focus better on learning, developing life skills, and building confidence. It’s been a game-changer for these communities, ensuring that kids aren’t just attending school—they’re thriving there.

Women and children are at the heart of your interventions. How does ICS address the intertwined issues of gender harassment, early marriages, and child abuse, particularly within deeply ingrained traditional practices in rural communities?

At ICS, we understand that the issues of gender harassment, early marriages, and child abuse are deeply intertwined, especially in rural communities where traditional practices run strong. To tackle this, we focus on empowering women and children because we know that when women are lifted, the whole family benefits. One of our key strategies is economic empowerment—helping women build their financial independence through agriculture and entrepreneurship. When women have control over their income, they have more say in their homes and can push back against harmful traditions like early marriages.

At the same time, we run education programs for both parents and children, teaching them about child rights, proper parenting, and the dangers of harmful gender norms. We don’t come in with a heavy hand to force change, though. Instead, we work gradually within the community, respecting traditions but pushing for change through dialogue and education. This way, families are more open to shifting their views, and we can uproot these harmful practices without creating conflict. It’s a slow process, but it’s working—we’ve already seen women and children gaining more confidence and advocating for themselves in ways they couldn’t before.

The ICS initiative involving teen mothers in skills training and entrepreneurship is unique. What are some of the success stories from these programs, and how have they helped teen mothers regain control of their lives and build a sustainable future?

The teen mother program at ICS is a source of immense pride for us. These young women face tough challenges—many are single parents with little support. Through our skills training and entrepreneurship programs, mostly led by experts from the Vocational Education and Training Authority (Veta), they learn practical skills like tailoring, cookery, and animal husbandry right at our centers. This allows them to balance their education with caring for their children, helping them reclaim their independence and build a brighter future.

One inspiring success story involves a group of schoolchildren who started a poultry project with Veta's guidance. They learned to raise chickens and, as their confidence grew, expanded into pig farming, now owning eight pigs. These children have transformed their lives by running a sustainable business that supports their families. It’s not just about financial gain; it’s about empowering them to take control of their futures, marking a significant victory for both them and their families.

Looking forward, ICS aims to scale up its programs and work closely with educational institutions. What are the organization's strategic plans for the next five years, and how do you envision expanding your impact both regionally and nationally?

Looking ahead, ICS has ambitious plans for the next five years, focusing on scaling up our programs and enhancing sustainability through partnerships with educational institutions. We’re engaging with colleges in social work and community development to integrate our child protection and empowerment models into their curriculums, training the next generation of community leaders.

Regionally, we’re expanding into new areas, starting with Dodoma, where we’ll establish a parent center to strengthen our programs and policy connections with the government. Additionally, we’re developing a web-based tool to better align our activities with the Ministry of Community Development. In five years, we aim for ICS to be a leading force in child protection and family empowerment across Tanzania, deeply rooted in local communities and backed by strong partnerships.