LocationsCultivating Peace: Youth Ambassadors Leading the Path to Prosperity in Mtwara, Tanzania
September 28, 2024
Members of GPF, UNDP and Nanguruwe Peace Club
In the coastal towns of Mtwara, Southern Tanzania, a youth-led peacebuilding movement is gaining momentum. The Dumisha Amani Project, spearheaded by UNDP in collaboration with the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) and Prime Minister’s Office, addresses the root causes of conflict by empowering young people with the skills, tools, and opportunities to succeed. Dumisha Amani kwa Maendeleo Endelevu, meaning “Promoting Peace for Sustainable Development,” serves as a beacon of hope for communities aspiring for peace and economic stability.
At the heart of this initiative are remarkable young individuals like Badru Mkaita and Tatu Alawi, members of the Msimbati Peace Club, and Jamal Mohammed Mfawe, Grace Govi Constantino, and Zariubu Ali Kawe from the Nanguruwe Youth Peace Centre. Their stories show how peace and economic prosperity are deeply connected, bringing lasting change to their communities.
Msimbati Peace Club: Weaving Peace Through Business and Sustainable Fishing
In the Msimbati ward, nestled near the Indian Ocean, the Msimbati Peace Club is transforming community relationships through sustainable fishing. Serving four villages, the peace club supplies fresh and dried fish, becoming a pillar of economic development and peacebuilding. The club’s nine dedicated members -four men and five women—rotate responsibilities weekly, ensuring shared ownership and financial transparency.
Fish Drying rack at Msimbati Peace Club
Members of Msimbati Peace club Badru Mkaita (Left) and Tatu Alawi (Right)
Badru Mkaita, the Head of Procurement, highlights the club’s vision “We were trained as Peace Ambassadors, allowing us to engage communities and collaborate with groups like the Boda-boda community.” His words capture the true essence of peacebuilding—unity and collaboration.
Tatu Alawi, a young woman who once had limited job prospects, now thrives as a salesperson. Thanks to training from the Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA), her entrepreneurial skills have blossomed. “The club gave me not just financial stability but a sense of belonging. I now have a voice and a role in shaping our future,” she shared. Since its launch in January 2024, the Msimbati Peace Club has produced over 400 kilograms of sardines, demonstrating how peace initiatives can drive both economic progress and foster a sense of pride and purpose among participants.
Nanguruwe Youth Peace Centre: Raising Hope Through Poultry Farming.
Sixty kilometers away, the Nanguruwe Youth Peace Centre uses poultry farming to promote peace. The farm employs ten individuals, fivemen and five women, including two persons with disabilities, highlighting the project’s commitment to inclusivity. This diverse team is committed to building sustainable livelihoods while promoting social harmony. With training from the Tanzanian Livestock Research Institution (TALIRI) and support from the Dumisha Amani project, they manage a poultry farm, including egg incubation chamber, creating a self-sustaining business.
Chicken herd at Nanguruwe Peace club
Egg Incubation Chamber at Nanguruwe
Jamal Mohammed Mfawe, a 27-year-old Peace Ambassador, sees the project as more than just a job. “The poultry farm has given me with a stable income and a platform to inspire other youth to engage in productive and peaceful activities,” he explained.
Grace Govi Constantino, a 24-year-old young mother with a disability, shared how this project has transformed her life. “Finding work was incredibly difficult before. Now, I have economic independence and a sense of belonging in my community,” she explained.
Zariubu Ali Kawe, the farm’s treasurer, emphasized teamwork. “We’ve grown our knowledge inpoultry farming, and the unity we’ve developed has been key to our success,” she said adding that the project’s inclusivity inspires everyone to give their best.
Zariubu Ali Kawe (Left) Grace Govi Constantino (Right)
At full capacity, the farm’s incubation chamber can hatch up to 500 chicks every 25 days—a potential game-changer for the farm’s output and financial stability.
Cultivating a Culture of Peace
In celebration of International Day of Peace on September 21, 2024, the Miseti Women Group, in partnership with UNDP, hosted a tree-planting ceremony. The event highlighted the importance of environmental conservation and peaceful coexistence, symbolized by planting mangrove trees. This act resonates deeply with African traditions of caring for the land, reflecting the broader mission of the Dumisha Amani project: cultivating peace within the communities just as they nurture the land and sustains them.
From the resilient fishermen and women of Msimbati to the dedicated poultry farmers of Nanguruwe, these young African Peace Champions are planting the seeds of lasting peace and prosperity. With UNDP’s support, their efforts are sparking a wave of transformation that will ripple through Tanzania and beyond. Peace, for these young leaders, is not just an ideal—it’s a living, growing force rooted in African soil, ensuring their communities can flourish and thrive in unity, much like the earth they so carefully tend.
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