A celebratory cake marking the 10th anniversary of the Stars of Poverty Rescue Foundation (SPRF), a non-governmental organization headquartered in Singida Region.

The Guest of Honor, the Honorable Mayor of Singida Municipality, Yagi Kiaratu, accompanied by the Chairperson of the SPRF Board of Directors, Redempter Rweyemamu (right), arriving at the Social Hall in Singida for the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Stars of Poverty Rescue Foundation (SPRF).

The Honorable Mayor of Singida Municipality, Yagi Kiaratu, speaking at the event marking the 10th anniversary of SPRF. Kiaratu represented the Singida Regional Commissioner, Halima Dendego.

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Dotto Mwaibale & Solomon Philemon, Singida

The Stars of Poverty Rescue Foundation (SPRF), a non-governmental organization headquartered in Singida Region, is proud of its achievements over the past 10 years since its establishment. The organization is now embarking on an ambitious strategic plan from 2025 to 2030.

Speaking on December 31, 2024, at the event marking SPRF’s 10th anniversary, the Honorable Mayor of Singida Municipality, Yagi Kiaratu, who represented the Singida Regional Commissioner, Halima Dendego, congratulated SPRF for reaching this milestone. He recognized the organization’s vision of being a center of excellence in eradicating poverty through health and social welfare initiatives.

“I was not fully aware of SPRF, but after learning about it, I now understand its mission. SPRF focuses on eradicating poverty through various means, such as providing life skills education, vocational training, and business skills to different social groups. It also offers health services, including reproductive health care and women’s health services, promotes access to clean and safe water, and engages in environmental conservation,” said Kiaratu.

He highlighted some of the organization’s key initiatives, including establishing health centers and educational health programs to support at-risk individuals and communities, implementing good governance principles to combat gender-based violence, fostering skill development and innovation among its employees, partners, and beneficiaries, and conducting research, monitoring, and evaluation of its programs.

Kiaratu emphasized that, through these efforts, SPRF contributes to the realization of Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2025.

“We all acknowledge that the goal of the National Development Vision 2025 is to improve people’s lives through good governance, the rule of law, and the development of a strong and competitive economy. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is actively implementing this vision,” Kiaratu stated on behalf of the Regional Commissioner.

He added that, apart from implementing MKUKUTA (Tanzania’s poverty reduction strategy), SPRF is also working towards three key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Kiaratu outlined these goals:

• No Poverty (SDG 1): SPRF is raising funds to establish a market project in Kideka, Ikungi District, to support 100 women economically and reduce household poverty. The organization also plans to build its own office in Singida.
• Good Health & Well-Being (SDG 3): SPRF provides health services in Singida and aims to expand its services in 2025 by establishing a maternal and child health clinic (PRIDE RCH) in Singida town. The municipal council has also requested their assistance in this initiative.
• Gender Equality (SDG 5): The organization is actively working to eliminate gender-based violence and child abuse in collaboration with other stakeholders. It supports the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children (MTAKUWWA) through practical interventions.

“There are many organizations working to combat gender-based violence, and I believe that collective effort is essential. Working together will strengthen the impact of this important cause,” Kiaratu said.

He praised SPRF’s well-organized operations and communication channels with regional, district, and local government authorities, which help empower citizens to fight violence and promote development. He also commended the AWARE project, which SPRF implemented in Ikungi District to educate communities on gender-based violence and social development.

“I commend SPRF for remaining active in Singida and implementing community projects over the past 10 years. It is not easy to carry out social work without financial support,” Kiaratu noted.

He further praised SPRF for its community outreach initiatives, such as visiting patients at Singida Municipal Hospital and providing assistance to mothers who have just given birth. The organization also visited prisoners and detainees at Singida Prison, offering humanitarian support as part of its 10th-anniversary celebrations.

During the event, Kiaratu launched a book titled Business and Entrepreneurship Management, authored by SPRF’s Executive Director, Dr. Suleiman Charles Muttani. He expressed confidence that the book would serve as a valuable resource for the Women 100 project, which aims to economically empower 100 women by establishing a market in Kideka with the support of community members and other stakeholders.

Additionally, Kiaratu led a fundraising campaign for the Kideka market project, which requires TSh 8,733,750, and the Women 100 project, which needs TSh 6,560,200.

The Chairperson of the SPRF Board of Directors, Redempter Rweyemamu, emphasized that the organization’s primary goal is to support the government in implementing MKUKUTA, the National Development Vision 2025, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

She outlined SPRF’s main objectives, which include:

• Creating an enabling environment for reducing income poverty by strengthening household economies.
• Establishing support systems for vulnerable individuals and communities through education and health programs.
• Providing health services for women, maternal and child care, and promoting gender equality.
• Advocating for women’s and children’s rights.
• Collaborating with national and international institutions to develop sustainable solutions for poverty reduction in Tanzania and beyond.

Rweyemamu stressed that the organization’s mission is to empower individuals, uphold human rights and good governance, and combat poverty by fostering household economic development.

Speaking about the AWARE project, she acknowledged that it is challenging to change deep-rooted cultural practices, but SPRF has succeeded in mobilizing communities to advocate against harmful traditions such as female genital mutilation, child marriages, and gender-based violence.

“The success of AWARE is evident in how SPRF has engaged local communities, enabling them to speak out against outdated cultural practices that hinder development. This work is one of the key reasons we are celebrating our 10-year milestone today,” she said.

Reflecting on SPRF’s 10-year journey, Rweyemamu highlighted the organization’s dedication to serving communities with passion and commitment. She acknowledged the critical role of stakeholders in the fight against poverty and the importance of viewing work as a measure of human dignity.

She also noted that Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2025 is coming to an end, and the country will transition to the National Development Vision 2050, while also working towards the UN SDGs 2030.

“I see SPRF as a model civil society organization that is committed to aligning with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 and Africa’s Agenda 2063. All organizations should work towards this direction to strengthen institutions and develop competent leaders,” Rweyemamu concluded.