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Chama Cha Viziwi Tanzania

Training and awareness raising of advocacy skills for Deaf Masai and inclusion of Deaf people in policy planning for government officials

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About the Organization

Chama Cha Viziwi Tanzania (CHAVITA) is an organization registered in the United Republic of Tanzania, formed by Deaf people themselves in 1984 who wanted to see a society in which equality and rights for Deaf people are observed. CHAVITA has its headquarters in Dar es Salaam with branches located in 17 regions. Our goal is to improve the living standard of Deaf people through mobilization, participation and education of the Deaf, and wider community, through advocacy for equality and human rights for the Deaf people, and by developing Tanzanian Sign Language. Our vision is to have an empowered and well informed Deaf community and a Tanzania community which has a conducive and supportive environment for deaf people to access and enjoy their rights, fulfill their potential and be productive members of the society. The General Assembly was held in Septembers 2017 where 4 Deaf males and 4
females were elected member of the National Executive Board until 2020.

Tanzania National Association of the Deaf (CHAVITA)’s website http://chavita.or.tz/

About the Project

Deaf people are part of human diversity facing challenges with achieving human rights. In Tanzania, Deaf people live in deplorable conditions due to social, economic, prejudice and legal barriers which prevent their integration into all life aspects of society, as well as enjoyment and exercising basic human rights and freedoms as other members of the society. Currently, the rights of Deaf people are stipulated in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Tanzania Disabilities Policy 2004, Tanzania Disability Act 2010 and the Tanzania Education Policy 2014. This project directly addressed the need for local governments to embark on formulation of inclusive and affirmative plans/actions that aim at ensuring Deaf people attain equal rights and opportunities to participate effectively in public accountability and local government matters. All policies, laws, programs and services also needed to be made accessible to Deaf people as a matter of right and not charitable as it is now. The project concentrated in the Arusha Urban area of North Tanzania close to the Kilimanjaro Region where Deaf people of Masai ethnicity live.

The project strategy focused on delivering quality training and awareness raising of advocacy skills and the implementation of local and international disability legislation. The project worked with municipals and wards officials in Arusha Urban training them on topics relating to the equal rights of Deaf people that can be attained with inclusive and affirmative plans/actions. This allowed Deaf people to participate effectively in public accountability and local governance process with access to policies, laws, programs and services. At least 25 Deaf people in Arusha Urban, including Deaf Masai, were sensitized/trained on their constitutional rights, disability specific legislation both from the local to international level, the contents of public accountability and governance processes and advocacy strategies. At the end of the project, the trained participants became trainers, teaching about the processes and strategies to other Deaf people in the region

CHAVITA’s delegation at a courtesy meeting with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson ( standing central) from right is CHAVITA’s Patron Hon. Hashim Ismail ( wore black suit ) and Mrs. Lupi Maswanya a Gender Develoment Officer, standing left are Mr. Msafiri Mhando a Public Relation Officer and Ms. Amina Isah a Sign Language Instructor for Dodoma Region branch
CHAVITA’s delegation at a courtesy meeting with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson ( standing central) from right is CHAVITA’s Patron Hon. Hashim Ismail ( wore black suit ) and Mrs. Lupi Maswanya a Gender Develoment Officer, standing left are Mr. Msafiri Mhando a Public Relation Officer and Ms. Amina Isah a Sign Language Instructor for Dodoma Region branch
Minister for information, Sports, Cultural and Artists Hon. Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe (Central) presenting a certificate of appreciation to Mayor of Morogoro Municipal for facilitating the commemoration of International week of the Deaf. The Government announced accessibility of information through Sign Language interpreters in all televisions programs
Minister for information, Sports, Cultural and Artists Hon. Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe (Central) presenting a certificate of appreciation to Mayor of Morogoro Municipal for facilitating the commemoration of International week of the Deaf. The Government announced accessibility of information through Sign Language interpreters in all televisions programs
Mr. Toshiomi Tsuzuki a Deaf Japanese visited Tanzania and had an opportunity to visit school for the Deaf. The picture above he is presenting gifts for Deaf learners at Twig Integrated Unit for the Deaf in Dar es salaam
Mr. Toshiomi Tsuzuki a Deaf Japanese visited Tanzania and had an opportunity to visit school for the Deaf. The picture above he is presenting gifts for Deaf learners at Twig Integrated Unit for the Deaf in Dar es salaam
The team at a lobbying and Advocacy meeting with official of the Prime Minister Office in Dodoma. From left Mr. Jacob Mwinula, ( Coordinator of Disability Unit) Mr. Thomas Shayo, (instructor University of Dar es salaam) Mr. Dickson Mveyange, (Executive Director) Mr. Eric Shitindi (Principal Secretary of the Ministry ) and Mr. Msafiri Mhando ( Public Relation Officer)
The team at a lobbying and Advocacy meeting with official of the Prime Minister Office in Dodoma. From left Mr. Jacob Mwinula, ( Coordinator of Disability Unit) Mr. Thomas Shayo, (instructor University of Dar es salaam) Mr. Dickson Mveyange, (Executive Director) Mr. Eric Shitindi (Principal Secretary of the Ministry ) and Mr. Msafiri Mhando ( Public Relation Officer)
A team of CHAVITA’s official after discussion with the Director of ICT of the Tanzania Parliament to improve Sign Language Interpretation services during the proceeding of parliament sessions. From right is Mr. Octavian Simba ( Project Officer), Mr. Dickson Mveyange (Executive Director), Mr. Thomas Shayo Sign Language Instructor at the University of Dar es salaam, Mr. Didas Wambura Director of ICT of Parliament and Mr. Nidrosy Mlawa ( CHAVITA’s Chairperson)
A team of CHAVITA’s official after discussion with the Director of ICT of the Tanzania Parliament to improve Sign Language Interpretation services during the proceeding of parliament sessions. From right is Mr. Octavian Simba ( Project Officer), Mr. Dickson Mveyange (Executive Director), Mr. Thomas Shayo Sign Language Instructor at the University of Dar es salaam, Mr. Didas Wambura Director of ICT of Parliament and Mr. Nidrosy Mlawa ( CHAVITA’s Chairperson)
Deaf children dancing at the celebration of the International Week of the Deaf in Morogoro region
Deaf children dancing at the celebration of the International Week of the Deaf in Morogoro region
Mr. Toshiomi from Japan standing right with CHAVITA’s staffs members at Headquarter premises in Dar es salaam sharing gifts both from Tanzania and Japan. From right is Mr. Dickson Mveyange- Executive Director, Ms. Malise Swila – Sign Language Instructor at University of Dar es salaam, Mr. Msafiri Mhando- Public Relation Officer and Ms. Lupi Maswanya- Gender Development Officer.
Mr. Toshiomi from Japan standing right with CHAVITA’s staffs members at Headquarter premises in Dar es salaam sharing gifts both from Tanzania and Japan. From right is Mr. Dickson Mveyange- Executive Director, Ms. Malise Swila – Sign Language Instructor at University of Dar es salaam, Mr. Msafiri Mhando- Public Relation Officer and Ms. Lupi Maswanya- Gender Development Officer.

Facebook Posts – Update #1 Training

Update #2 - Second Training

Arusha Chairman of Social Development committee addresses participants at official opening ceremony

If you are interested in learning more about how you can support CHAVITA, please email them at [email protected]

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