Songambele Tanzania

Qui sommes-nous

Songambele is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) in Tanzania, operating under the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, the Elderly, and Children, with registration number ooNGO/00010039. Songambele is a Swahili Word that means "Move Forward". This grassroots community-based organization operates in Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Manyara, and Tanga. It was founded and is run by women with disabilities who have faced discrimination, regardless of their race, culture, religion, or social status. The stigma attached to disability significantly affects access to health services, education, and employment for women and girls with disabilities, influencing how their communities and social groups treat them.
Our mission
To promote and encourage good health, education, awareness, well-being, and social inclusion for women, girls, and children with disabilities in Tanzania.

Our vision
Empowering women, girls, and children with disabilities to live independently with dignity and joy.

Our activities
• Group Meetings: Peer- To - Peer education involves sharing skills and knowledge from experienced individuals to empower people with disabilities in their communities. We engage directly with community members, particularly those with disabilities, sharing life experiences to promote health, mobility, and independence. This initiative aims to enhance their skills, enabling them to lead more effective and independent lives.
• Individual Counselling: We invite individuals to share their life experiences with us to understand their unique challenges. In one-on-one sessions, especially with women and girls with disabilities, we encourage questions that might be uncomfortable to ask in groups, focusing on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. These discussions help us identify others in their communities, expanding our reach and impact.
• Seminars & Workshops: People with disabilities often face barriers to participating in community activities due to inadequate infrastructure. We advocate for the creation of supportive environments in places like schools, hospitals, shops, banks, and government buildings. Our efforts include providing training and practical advice on making facilities accessible for disabled individuals. Additionally, we conduct seminars to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion. These initiatives aim to ensure that all members of society can actively engage and benefit from community life.
• Assistive Devices: We advocate for quality assistive devices that are tailored and properly fitted to improve mobility, and also to expand opportunities in education, employment, and social engagement for individuals requiring such assistance. Songambele is committed to ensuring that women, girls, and children with disabilities receive the necessary assistive devices they require. This is done through collaboration with other partners who provide customized wheelchairs.
• Community Actions: Many in our community lack awareness about disability issues, leading to discrimination and isolation experienced by people with disabilities. Prejudice towards disabled individuals is common due to this lack of understanding. Recognizing these challenges, Songambele has committed to raising awareness within the community. By fostering understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of people with disabilities in community activities, we aim to highlight their valuable contributions. Given the opportunity, individuals with disabilities can significantly enrich our communities.
• Sport and Other Activities: Through various sports activities, Songambele brings together individuals with disabilities who may not have previously connected. Participants engage in games of their choosing, fostering opportunities to rejuvenate their spirits while building confidence and self-esteem. Our sports events are held monthly, with basketball taking place on the last Friday of each month, followed by an open meeting on Saturday.

Faustina J. Urassa is the Executive Director of Songambele.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.