The post-COVID 19 project of promoting strength and economic resilience of single-mother families and creating the spirit of self‑esteem and reliance among youth in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro set out to rebuild confidence, stability and hope among families most affected by the social and economic shocks of COVID‑19. Between December 2021 and June 2022, the initiative focused on strengthening marriage and parenting, equipping youth to resist peer pressure, and empowering single mothers to see themselves as capable, resilient and deserving of opportunity. The project was budgeted at 171,150.41 euros, of which 10,620.84 euros were contributed by CADIS Tanzania and the rest (155,993.58 Euros) was funded by CADIS International in Rome, Italy. Through trainings on self‑esteem, emotional maturity, financial literacy and business skills, the project created spaces where women and young people could redefine their futures. With equipment procured, vehicles hired, land secured and trainings were conducted across Dar es Salaam, Mikese and Ifakara, the project entered the post-COVID phase with renewed momentum. Practical components such as leasing rice farms and constructing a pig shed, allowed beneficiaries to apply their new skills in real economic activities, reinforcing the project’s goal of long‑term independence and improved wellbeing for single‑mother families.

 

The project revealed the determination of the project team and beneficiaries to overcome setbacks. The rice farm, planted in December 2021, faced cattle intrusion and later flocks of birds attracted to the early sprouting crop, forcing replanting, constant guarding and adaptive management. Despite these challenges, the rice farm progressed toward a June harvest. The pig‑farm component stalled due to an African Swine Fever ban in 2022, but preparations continued and the activity resumed in Dar es Salaam in 2023 once restrictions were lifted. The last training sessions scheduled for July and August 2022, followed by harvesting and pig‑rearing, positioned the project to achieve its intended outcomes in 2023 when it commenced, with confident youth, economically empowered single mothers, strengthened families and a tested peer‑administered intervention model ready for scale up.