PALES

PALES, is a nongovernmental organization based in Biharamulo district Kagera region Tanzania. The organization is registered under the: Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children. Registration number ooNGO/R/1670 under the act of parliament of the united republic of Tanzania No.24 of 2002. The organization has a well-structured leadership and competence, motivated and qualified personnel in various capacities. Since its establishment has been doing work towards promoting interventions intended to uplift the marginalized and the less privileged of the society. Its approach is towards Sustainable Economic and Social Empowerment of the target participants / beneficiaries. PALES does this through various interventions dependent on the beneficiary developmental needs. These may include education support at varying levels, community sensitization on issues that have implications on their livelihood, promotion of appropriate technology which enhances lives of the rural marginalized and embarking on advocacy / lobbying interventions intended for disfranchising oppressive structures, policies and laws. WHAT WE DO IN COMMUNITIES 1. Sustainable agriculture PALES works to advocate and promote good practices so as to meet society’s food and textile needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Addressing food insecurity, the organization promotes the growing of banana as source of food. Banana grows well and does better with the climate of Biharamulo. And not only banana serves as source of food but also as source of income. The surplus is sold at a local market or to the middle men and gains the household’s income. Agro-forest, organic farming, integrated pest management, postharvest management practices, integrated pest management and cooperatives (House hold investment and serving programs) are among the pillars we do under sustainable agriculture. 2. Women empowerment The organization does efforts to contribute in addressing the challenges facing women particularly in the marginalized communities. The challenges include; women beating from husbands, little or no participation in leadership as well as political affairs, little or no participation in family decision making, restrictions on property ownership especially land, total dependence on men for their basic needs and wants. The organization does trainings and awareness campaign on gender issues. Some of the topics involve both men and women. Entrepreneurship ventures for self income generation and reduction of dependence. 3. Environmental conservation and sanitation The organization emphasizes communities on tree planting, beekeeping and energy serving stoves as practices to environmental conservation. Communities; that are individuals, groups, institutions such as schools and colleges are trained on good practices and principles of tree nurseries establishment and management. We also advocate the principle of cut one tree and plant ten trees. The organization discourages shifting farming, use of fire during clearing the farms and cultivating on water sources/catchment areas. On the other hand use of manure is promoted as means of obtaining more harvests rather than chasing virgin land every year. Sanitation practices are in planning stage. 4. Artemisia house That is a new project currently under experimentation period that will go through 12 months. The project aims at contributing efforts to fighting against malaria. The entire mainland Tanzania is considered at risk for malaria especially our region around Lake Victoria. 5. Enhancing vocational skills The organization finds another gap that needs immediate intervention of enhancing vocational skills to school girls and single young mothers of the marginalized communities. The interventions under that segment will aim to empower and build skills of the marginalized girls and young women on Tailoring & Embroidery, sewing, event planning and management, decollation and ornamenting, and making hand bag, soft toys, candle, soap and batiki. Also to enhance self-employment and self-reliance.