Tanzania Fund

Tanzania Fund was formed on a visit to the Shinyanga region of Tanzania in 1999. The group consisted of six Oxfam donors who were being shown the typical kind of work Oxfam GB undertakes in Sub-Saharan Africa.

After seeing the impressive work that Oxfam does in Shinyanga and the spirit and determination of the people there, the group decided that they would like to form a long-term association with the area and assist the people there. Since then the fund members have donated and raised over a quarter of a million pounds to assist this region.

The Fund liaises with the local Oxfam team in Shinyanga, who propose projects and local partner organisations to support. The members review the proposals and decide which projects and partners will receive funds, which are then administered in Tanzania by the local Oxfam office. Fund members visit the region every three years to see the projects, monitor progress and see the rapid changes happening in the region.

The fund’s main focus has always been on livelihoods projects, which aim to create sustainable development. In the past this has included business training and soft loans to small local entrepreneurs. However, given the current critical importance of reliable food supplies, current support is focussed on a major agricultural project, providing training in rearing healthier and larger chickens, which are the largest source of protein locally.

All of these projects are implemented by Tanzanians themselves. The Tanzania Fund supports these projects, working in conjunction with Oxfam GB, Oxfam Tanzania, and local partners in Tanzania. The Government of Tanzania also provides significant support. Our latest project is now being funded in conjunction with a major grant from the European Union. We would like to recognise these major contributions.