It`s all hell at Morogoro Fungafunga elderly Home.
By Lucas Lukumbo : THE GUARDIAN
An old woman from the Fungafunga camp of the disabled in Morogoro who has turned into a street beggar
The well-painted large building with a big mango tree near the entrance belie the terrible life the occupants are subjected to. This is a ‘home’ of around 70 people with disabilities and the elderly people in Morogoro township.
At 10 am, when I arrived at the camp, nurses were still cleaning the rooms and all the belongings of the people with disabilities were placed outside the building.
Torn bed-sheets and mattresses characterized the scenery. The curiosity of the people with disabilities and the elderly grew after I had introduced myself. While the people with disabilities thanked for the coming, workers at the camp insisted that I should see the camp’s boss.
This reporter was denied entry to the camp to interview the occupants of the camp saying it is forbidden for them to talk to the media.
The people with disabilities asked this reporter to come at a convenient time so that they could air their views without the presence of their masters.
The Morogoro Regional Social Welfare, Oswin Ngungamtitu, was later informed by his juniors and promised to see this reporter later in the day, but could not turn up for the appointment.
Some of his fellow workers described him as uncooperative and said he is on leave but never delegated his powers as overall in-charge of the camp.
Speaking about their plight the people with disabilities at the camp said their lives are deplorable.
“Electricity has been cut. We are forced to stay in the dark, and you know what it means for persons with disabilities to stay during the night without light.
Speaking on behalf of his fellows, a blind man known for his aggressiveness at the camp Caspar Thomas, said, “We have to buy kerosene using our meager income we get from begging in the streets to light our lamps.
“If we do not get it, we sleep in the darkness,” he says.
He says the absence of efficient water system has made them “stink like rotten eggs.”
He also spoke of lack of medicine at the camp. “It is difficult for us to consult medical practitioners because we have no means to do so. Please tell the authorities to help us in that.
A staff member at the camp told this reporter that she was also disappointed with the way the camp is being run. He said there is no clinical officer stationed at the camp to take care of the health problems affecting people with disabilities.
The Morogoro Elderly People’s Organization (MOREPEO) has termed the condition subjected to the Fungafunga Camp for People with Disabilities and the elderly as dreadful and has asked the government to intervene.
The the Programme Manager of the non-governmental organization, Peter Alexander Mwita has said residents at the camp mostly the elderly and people with disabilities have to always go outside the camp to ask for alms from Samaritans.
“The most appalling thing is that these poor elderly people and those with disabilities are not properly getting their daily ration. Sometimes they have to go hungry because food is not there,” he says.
Mr. Peter Alexander Mwita says the administration has for a long time failed to pay the one tendering food for the c amp.
The MOREPEO Programme Manager says there is always no electricity at the camp because it has failed to pay TANESCO the required bills.
“As if that is enough, water provision at the camp has been cancelled, also because the camp under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has failed to pay for it,” he says.
He says he has visited several times with the officials of the ministry and the found the situation not improving.
“This situation has made them to more psychologically affected and many have made ends meet by begging in the streets of Morogoro,” he says.
He says he is forced to make such comments because his organization is vested with the duty of improving the life of the elderly and people with disabilities who include among others the people at the Fungafunga camp.
Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Beatrice Fungamo, was not cooperative in responding to questions posed by this reporter stating that this reporter had already infringed what she termed as ‘government administrative norms’ by going to Fungafunga camp without first informing her ministry that he was going to the camp.
While referring this reporter to the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry she said she understands that the camp had a myriad of problems but said there was nothing the ministry could do about that.
“We provide the necessary things and there is nothing one can do if they do not suffice,” she said.
Concerning the electricity and water cuts by the relevant authorities, the assistant commissioner just said “just go to the Permanent Secretary he will answer that.”
According to available statistics, Tanzania with an estimated total population of 41, 000,000 has about 2. million older people (4 percent of the total population) aged 60 years and above. This figure will increase to 8.3 million (10 percent of the total population by the year 2050.
The National aging policy notes that older people have not received the recognition they deserve, a situation which denies their right to own and inherit property.
The National Ageing Policy observes that economically, older people are among the poorest in the society. Various groups of older people such as peasants, herdsmen and fishermen do not belong to any formal social security system.
Retired older people who are members of the Social Security schemes face problems resulting from inadequate benefits and bureaucratic bottlenecks. Furthermore, the existing poverty reduction strategies do not include older people.
The life situation and circumstances of older people demand for national policy to guide the provision of services and their participation in the life of the community, it says.
The national Ageing Policy therefore addresses the recognition of elder people as an important resource in national development, allocation of enough recourses with a goal of improving service delivery to older people and involving older people in decision making in matters that concern them and the nation at large.
Others are involving older people in income generation activities and to provide legal protection to older people as a special group.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
25th February 2013
Comments (3)
Our distinguished guests from
• Irish Aid
• HelpAge International Head Office London
• Country partners from Kenya, Uganda , Mozambique and South Africa
• Country Director- HelpAge International - Tanzania Office- Dar-es- Salaam
• Social Protection Manager- HelpAge International - Tanzania office – Dar-es-salaam
• Rights Manager- HelpAge International – Tanzania office – Dar-es- salaam
• Ladies and gentlemen.
May I on behalf of myself and MOREPEO in particular extend to you a cordial welcome to Morogoro in general and MOREPEO. We understand that our HAI partners in Dar-es- salaam have take initiatives of welcoming you to our beloved country on the day of your arrival.
We fill to be highly honored and privaleged to host this International visiting delegation to our organization. So I say again welcome to Tanzania, welcome to Morogoro and welcome to MOREPEO, KARIBUNI SANA, Please fill at home.
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 History of MOREPEO
Morogoro Elderly People’s Organization (MOREPEO) with a former name of Morogoro Retired Teachers` Association (MORETEA) was established since 1997 with registration number SO. 9520 of 6th August 1998 as an age care service provider (educating) organization to all elderly people in Morogoro regardless of their social status. Change of name from MORETEA to MOREPEO was legally effected since July 2010 to encompass all older people aged 60 and above into the organization irrespective of their social background.
Over these years, MOREPEO has developed into an active respected local age care Non-Governmental Organization in Morogoro Municipality, Morogoro Rural and Mvomero Councils where we are actively in operation, and lately, our programmes have been extended to cover Kilosa, Kilombero, and Ulanga District Councils respectively. We strive to create a wider collaborative network with other NGOs and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) to promote older people needs , rights, and entitlements as stipulated in National ageing Policy(NAP), National Strategy for growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) phase I & II , popularly termed MKUKUTA, National Health Policy AND Prime Minister’s Guidelines, etc.
MOREPEO programmes envisage to raise awareness to the elderly themselves, the community, the local authorities and other stakeholders to address and incorporate ageing issues into their programmes so that the interventions can lead to improve quality life of the aged in Morogoro.
MOREPEO and HelpAge International (T) have maintained close working relation since 2000. Under this cooperation, we at the grassroots and HAI at national level have implemented together programmes (each with agreed specific roles) funded by Comic Relief, Guernsey Overseas Aid committee, World Granny, Foundation for Civil Societies, European Union, Cordaid of Netherlands, and Swedish International Development Agency, recently we are implementing the Irish Aid Funded project and Accountability Program in Tanzania (ACT) project . And very significantly to the older people of Tanzania, HAIT and its partners (MOREPEO included), fully participated at various stages for the development of NAP draft document,we have further fully participated in engagement programmes at National level in regard to Social Protection demands (i.e Universal Social Pension to the elderly), free medication and inclusion of older people’s rights in the Tanzania New Constitution.
2.0 MISSION
To raise societal awareness, influence and supportive efforts on older people’s access to their needs, wants, rights and entitlements in Morogoro region.
3.0 VISION
MOREPEO has a vision of a Society in which all Older People and their dependants live in a dignified, healthy, secure and improved quality of life.
4.0 MAJOR DOMAIN S OF WORK
Lobbying and Advocacy
Training/Education.
Project Activities.
4.1 Lobbying and Advocacy is MOREPEO’S foremost work in focus to the elderly themselves, key official bearers, decision makers, planners, and service providers at all levels ( from village/Mtaa, Ward, Distinct/Municipal Councils, Regional to National level and to other key stakeholders to include CSOs, FBOs, CBOs etc ).
4.2 Training /Education aimed at sensitization and awareness raising to the community at large, local and National leadership, decision makers, planners, office bearers and other key stakeholders in regard to older people’s rights and entitlements. This is done through workshops, seminars, dialogue formal and informal meetings, forums, drama, cultural dance/arts use of Medias, posters and Brochures.
4.3 Running and implementing specific Project Activities in specified project areas in accordance with proposed projects for benefits of older people and their dependants.
5.0 MAIN PURPOSE OF MOREPEO.
Planning, designing, soliciting funds, coordinating and implementing relevant programmes pertaining to the elderly and their dependants in relation to advocacy, training programmes, income-generating activities, and other development programmes at large.
6.0 SOME MAIN OBJECTIVES
6.1 To work for and with older people and their dependants, socially, economically and politically.
6.2 To voice, push and influence older people’s needs rights and entitlements to the community at large, relevant authorities, and other stakeholders.
6.3 To establish and run Centre of learning to the elderly and community at large.
6.4 Networking with internal and external stakeholders/partners focusing on older people’s improved livelihood and other services.
7.0 MOREPEO PROGRAMMES IN OPERATION.
7.1 Implementation of Irish Aid Funded Programme.
The preparatory stage took us three weeks of July, while the implementation stage started in August 2012. As such we are within the first six months of programme implementation. However, in we have successfully carried out all the four (4) planned outputs for the last two quarters of the programme (August-October 2012, November 2012- January2013) in accordance with our planned action.
The three covered objectives include:-
1. Engagement programme meetings at district level.
2. Meetings programes at Village level.
3. Training programes covered.
In order to make my report short but concise, I have opted to use matrix form to read as report as follows:-
SUMMERY- MATRIX TYPE OF MOREPEO-AFFORD BRIEFING REPORT
Activity Objective level Participants
Achievements Challenges
60+ Less than 60yrs total
A. Meetings
1. Engagement meeting with Kilosa district Department Heads, WEOs, some key councilors and older people`s representatives. Aimed at holding the local government office bearers to be accountable for the delivery for social protection services.
At district level 5 49 54
Increased awareness of OPs issues among local government office bearers.
Positive promises to include older people`s issues in district plans and budgets for the next financial year of 2013/014 Experiences shows that older people continue to be denied and discriminated in getting credit for micro enterprises and even in accessing entrepreneurial training programs run from time to time in their communities by LGA economic sectors and other agencies. This is a set back in enhancing the economic status of the older people.
Bureaucratic practices of the office bearers.
2. Meeting with Council management team, DED, all Kilosa district department heads,30 VEOs, 5 Councilors and 5 older people representatives.
To carry out mainstreaming programes in planning, budgeting and monitoring. At district level 5
49 54 All departments prioritized older people issues in their plans and budgets for the next 2013/014 financial year.
Lack of legal representation of older people in the decision making bodies:
In project areas of all two district councils, organs at mitaa/village and ward level, are been invited older people representatives (OPMGs in particular) to participate in the decision making meetings. To this day due to the continuing of unregulated NAP, older people representatives have no power to vote. Older people major challenge is how to include them in these bodies as representatives with full legal status.
3. Engagement meeting with Kilosa district Council Financing institutions and TASAF Micro- financing and development of self help schemes. To influence establishment of a non contributory universal pension to all older people aged sixty and above. of
To enable OP develop confidence to meet with MPs in their respective constituencies so as to express their challenges. Intervention on lobbing and advocacy on these particular issue are also being carried out at a national level.
At district level.
24
49
73
Currently the government promises by responsible minister for labour and employment development during last parliament budget session, has assured Universal Social pension payments to commence next financial year (2013/14).
The community at large, and the elderly in particular, have been sensitized in the 10 wards of Sabasaba, Kihonda, Dumila, Mvumi,Rudewa,Kisiki,Behewa,Kimamba `A`, Mikumi and Kimamba `B` to engage their members of parliament to make a close follow - up of the universal social pension to all older people aged 60+ at parliament level.
We have observed that plans and promises made by leaders lack commitment and seriousness in addressing and giving solutions to older people`s issues.
Generally, KDC, like most other LGAs, employs bureaucratic principles in decision making and policy implementation. Hence, reluctance and slowness to act promptly impend plans developed and promises given.
- All in all, KDC authorities and community leaders are of the opinion that MOREPEO should provide necessary required resources (financial, material and personnel) to enable success of the programme – rather than owning this programme themselves right from the start.
4. Follow – Up on mainstreaming programme, CHF implementation, TASAF, etc
To review all plans made during the mainstreaming workshop
District level
11
23
34 KDC has subsidized 5,000,000/= as CHF premiums to the most vulnerable older people .
KDC through HIV/AIDS has supported 470 OVCs orphaned by HIV/AIDS cared for by grandparents to access primary, secondary and vocation education.
Kilosa district Council has supported 10 cattle daily to one group of10 older people based in Magubike village. Every member benefited one caw. This project is in the system of receiving caw and gives back a caw to another neighbor older person. The project coasted Tshs.15,782,000/=
In the year of 2012/2013 the district reimbursed Tshs. 8,579,560/= to support milk goats keeping to two groups of older people of Msowelo village (each group comprised of 10 members).
CHF programme was introduced in Kilosa District since 1998. It gained some popularity at first, but it is now fast fading out due to the fact that:-
- Low level of awareness to the community to join CHF because LGAs neglect to actively and adequately advertise it.
- Those that pay CHF premiums regularly are now losing hope for not benefiting from CHF.
- The community lacks knowledge on how CHF works.
CHF procedures for payment of drugs and other health services to user members are cumbersome.
Tendency of drug insufficiency in most health facilities exaggerate people to consider CHF as a sheer waste of their money.
Has the story created an impact to the situation of the camp. I am planning to come again.