Background History

PANDA INITIATIVES

 PANDA Initiative  is a locally registered non-governmental, non-partisan community-based organization. It is a youth lead organization which was founded in response to support the alarming deficiencies of sustainable development goals in Tanzania. 

PANDA Initiative was originally registered under the name: Organization for Capitalizing Community Resources and Initiatives (OCCRI) and late changed its name to respond to beneficiaries requests. It focuses on sustainable economic development projects at the local level to empower communities to improve their lives infinitely. The Organization was registered in 2018 with Registration No. 00NGO/00009975. 

Its headquarter is located at Kivule, a suburb in the outskirts of the city, in Ilala Municipality, Dar es salaam and operates in the Tanzania mainland and shall cooperate with other likeminded organizations and individuals within and outside the borders of Tanzania.

VISION

To have sustainable community with empowered people who contributes to their development.

MISSION

To promote sustainable economic development programs at the local level and empower communities to improve their lives infinitely.

Objectives

Main Objective

To empower community to participate in activities that will improve their socio-economic wellbeing.

Specific Objectives

In support of our Vision and Mission, PANDA Initiatives has the following strategic objectives:-

• To promote the Health, Nutrition and increase access to quality, affordable early childhood education to poor and marginalized children in rural regions of Tanzania.
•  Provide children, youth and women with a safe and empowering environment to increase their knowledge and understanding of issues related to health, access to legal protection and household economic strengthening.
•  Improve the capacity of formal and informal institutions to challenge the negative attitudes and restrictive gender roles in the community and be more responsive to youth and women’s (and other marginalized groups) priorities and accountable to upholding their rights.
• To raise awareness, knowledge and life skills by providing training, seminars, workshops on livelihood, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS awareness, nutrition programs, mental and physical wellbeing of youth and women.

Methodology

Language Used

The official languages of the organization shall be English, Kiswahili and sign language which will be used for the deaf.

Strategies

• Advocacy and awareness creation.
•  Integrated Early Child Health and Education Programme.
•  School clubs.
• Community library and ICT center.
• Vocational skills training program.
• Mentorship programs.
• Community mobilization and participation campaigns.
• Savings and lending groups for youth and women.

Resource Mobilization

PANDA Initiatives has so far managed to carry out programs through members’ contribution and on voluntary basis. The implementation of the activities is hindered due to limited financial resources. The organization will continue to seek support from well-wishers, individuals, organization, development agents and the government for resources to implement its activities.

Conclusion

PANDA Initiatives programs cuts across many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our focus is to empower community through Education and trainings believing that Education is the key that will allow many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved. When people are able to get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty, reduce inequalities and to reach gender equality. It also empowers people everywhere to live more healthy and sustainable lives. Education is crucial to fostering tolerance between people and contributes to more peaceful societies. At PANDA we believe that when young people and local communities work together to create positive change, it empowers them and it’s the energy and motivation of empowered people that create lasting change.