By Matukio Daima Media Mufindi
The leadership of Luhunga Ward in Mufindi District, Iringa Region, has urged parents and guardians in the ward to stop hiding children with disabilities and instead ensure they receive education and other social opportunities.
This call was made yesterday by the Luhunga Ward Councillor, Adam John Mgovano, during an interview with these reporters about the implementation of the Youth Agency Mufindi (YAM) project and the training provided to 134 youth with disabilities under the project.
He explained that the YAM project has successfully provided training opportunities to many youth with disabilities and those living in difficult circumstances, not only in his ward but also in neighboring wards.
Mgovano emphasized that hiding children with disabilities denies them the opportunity to fulfill their life dreams and aspirations
"I urge parents and guardians in these wards to stop hiding children with disabilities. Bring them out so they can get support and benefit from various projects introduced by the government to assist young people," he said.
The councillor explained that Luhunga Ward consists of five villages: Iyegeya, Kaning'ombe, Lugoda, Luhunga, and Mkonge.
The ward has a population of 10,424 people and 23 sub-villages.
“Luhunga Ward is fortunate to have investors who have continued to support us in various ways, and one of those investors is FOX, who brought us the YAM project,” Mgovano added.
He said that since the project began in 2021, it has impacted no fewer than 420 youth who were living in vulnerable conditions. The government aims to empower these youth to become self-reliant in different ways.
Through YAM, various entrepreneurship training sessions have been provided to young people, many of whom are now running their own businesses and earning a living.
This YAM project is being implemented in three wards: Luhunga, Ihanu, and Mdabulo. At least 130 children with disabilities have received training and education to help them achieve their life dreams.
“There are some parents and guardians who lose hope because of their children’s disabilities.
They end up hiding them instead of sending them to school, despite the fact that the government provides free education,” he said.
The Youth Agency Mufindi (YAM) project was established in 2021 and was initially planned to run for four years until 2024.
The project is funded by the Government of Finland through its Diaconess Institute, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania through the Mufindi District Council and the Foxes Community and Wildlife Conservation organization.
Due to the success of the project, which has enabled more than 700 youth to start entrepreneurial activities, it has been extended for an additional year until 2025.
The extension specifically focuses on reaching youth and children with disabilities.
Currently, 134 youth with disabilities have started their training from the three wards of Ihanu, Mdabulo, and Luhunga.
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