The four months I have spent with the STT team in Dodoma since February this year have been exciting and meaningful to me. Being part of the team that is committed to improving the livelihoods of the rural community has given me courage to move on with the job.
The activities I am involved with in STT include stove building training done in Chamwino, Nzali, Nzuguni and Chinangali 1. I have participated in mycorrhiza training session at Chamwino Primary School as well as facilitating marketing research and focus group workshop with Nianjema at the STT office. I am currently assisting the film crew in translating the promotional film to English.
I am impressed with the positive response of the community to the stove project delivered in the villages of Nzali, Nzuguni and Chamwino. STT has a unique approach that creates a sense of belonging and ownership to the community which eases the delivery and implementation processes of both stove and tree projects to villages. Village leaders, stove builders and recipients are free to discuss various matters on the rocket stoves with STT team and thus increase interaction.
Seeing the commitment of community groups and the trust they have built with STT makes me feel good and value my job. For instance, Nianjema Group in Chamwino Ward had a bad image of NGOs however through the participatory approach of STT, the group gained faith to work with STT in the wonder basket urban project as their income generating activity. What a precious moment with STT!
Lilian
Photo: Lillian conducting a cooking demonstration
