By Mutayoba Arbogast
A Tanzanian women’s initiative that promotes self-worth, confidence and community support is expanding its activities across the country, with a particular focus on women and vulnerable groups.
Known as ITY, an abbreviation of Itambue Thamani Yako (“Know Your Worth”), the initiative uses the slogan “Jipende, Jitunze, Jiamiini” — “Love yourself, take care of yourself and believe in yourself.”
According to Frida Betty, an ITY national leader responsible for the Lake Zone, speaking to Pan African Visions this week, she said that the organisation’s main objective is to educate and empower communities, particularly women, while encouraging them to play a positive role in raising children, supporting families and strengthening society.
“ITY was established about 10 years ago by a Tanzanian woman, Nyemo Abrahamu, who lives in Sweden,” Betty said.
She said ITY now has a presence across Tanzania, including all regions in the Lake Zone and some districts, where members support one another during both difficult and joyful times.
The initiative also seeks to improve the economic well-being of its members and extend assistance to vulnerable groups in society, including orphans, older people, prisoners, patients and people with disabilities.
Betty said ITY members meet once a year in a region selected for that year’s activities, using the gatherings as an opportunity to combine fellowship with community services. In recent years, the initiative has carried out a number of charitable activities in different parts of the Lake Zone.
In Mwanza, members raised funds to purchase sanitary towels for girls attending government schools, helping address menstrual hygiene challenges among schoolgirls.
Last year, the group travelled to Kahama, where members visited prisoners and made charitable donations.
This year, was Kagera Region turn, whereby ITY members decided to focus their support on children living in an orphanage Centre.
“As ITY, this year we decided to come to Kagera and donate 20 beds to the Nusura Orphanage Centre,” Betty said, adding that the centre currently houses 70 children.
“We decided to provide this support to serve as a lasting momento, previously we used to provide food, but now we have created a tangible mark that will remain visible even to future generations”.
The initiative says its activities are intended not only to provide immediate material assistance but also to strengthen solidarity among women and encourage communities to care for people facing difficult circumstances.
Through its network across Tanzania, ITY hopes to continue bringing women together around its message of self-worth while contributing to the welfare of vulnerable members of society.
Fatma Rashid Mohamed, CEO and head for NusuraYatima Orphanage Centre and the children were all jubilant during the donation hand over ceremony, and the ulutations thrilling the air as one of the children, spoke on behalf of the centre, showers appreciations for the donation, appealing to other wellwishers, visiting them,as still, have in needy in various categories.
