The inception of TANERELA is highly accredited to a meeting attended by Rev. Amin Sandewa in Harare back in late 2004. The meeting had a great impact to Rev. Amin Sandewa as it exposed him to the reality of the existence of religious leaders who were sharing his experience with great hope and determination. These leaders were living positively with HIV and leading successful religious ministries which provide desirable HIV and AIDS education and services to their members.

Rev.Amin Sandewa.

Being an HIV positive and a church leader, Rev. Sandewa was motivated with the gracious attitude that these leaders have demonstrated amidst their common HIV positive status. He was inspired by the unique approach of inclusion of religious leaders in HIV and AIDS management and to address related stigma in their home countries. As such, after returning to Tanzania, he started to identify and mobilize people who could set up an entity to sensitize religious leaders to address HIV and AIDS issues in the country. Between January 10^th and 15^th 2005, thirty (30) members gathered at the Capricon Hotel in Marangu Kilimanjaro Tanzania to officiate TANERELA as a non governmental organization which got registered by the Government of Tanzania in March 2005. TANERELA promotes and facilitates;

Forums where religious leaders living with HIV and AIDS can freely open up, express them selves, be accepted and treated with dignity.

Religious leaders of different faiths to know their sero status in order for them to advocate for free VCT services for their people and also be challenged to set up supportive care systems for members infected with HIV and AIDS.

Empowerment of religious leaders with up-to-date facts about HIV and AIDS from both scientific and faith based teachings so they can come up with harmonized key teachings and projects to address HIV and AIDS.

Advocacy for an HIV and AIDS policy in all religious institutions and their affiliated workplaces.

To date, achievements of TANERELA include;

TANERELA helped establish an effective information, communication and services on HIV and AIDS in faith community.

TANERELA has leaded successful campaigns for promoting VCT for religious leaders in the country. Over 700 religious leaders have uptake VCT and some religious leaders have opened up about their HIV positive status in public.

TANERELA has advocated for change in religious institutions practices that promote HIV and AIDS infection and stigma among religious leaders and members living with HIV and AIDS.

Improved attitudes among religious leaders about people living with HIV and AIDS.

Increased involvement among religious leaders in planning and implementing programs to address HIV and AIDS issues in their workplaces. More than 23700 members of different faiths have been provided with free VCT services.

Three (3) vibrant HIV post test clubs and several income generating support groups for religious leaders have been set up. The post test clubs serve as networking and advocacy entities for religious leaders to access information and services to promote VCT to their members, reduce HIV transmissions, assist people living with HIV and AIDS and vulnerable groups such as orphans, widows and widowed.

The national coordinator of TANERELA, Rev. Amin Sandewa has received several invitations from local and international level for consultation, sharing best practices and advocacy for eradication of stigma and discrimination against religious leaders and members living with HIV and AIDS

Facilitated the establishment of Village Community Banks (VICOBA) foor low income earners.