Comfort and Hope Development Organization (COHODEO) is a non -governmental organization with registration number ooNGO/R/0431 of 2019 which operates Tanzania Mainland with its headquarters in Mbogwe district Geita in Tanzania. We are involved in the advocacy of the rights of women, youth and children, especially in rural areas.
OUR THEMATIC AREAS
- Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)
Protection and defending the rights of women and girls against acts of violence and discrimination, and to encourage women’s participation in Economic Development and to secure their rights without discrimination.
- Prevention of Gender based Violence (GBV) and Violence against Children (VAC)
- Legal Aid
- Climate Change and Environmental management
- Monitoring and Evaluation.
We carried out a project that involved building the life skills of 34 girls from 17 wards of Mbogwe district in Geita region, living in rural areas who had failed to continue their studies due to pregnancy and Early child marriage so that they could later become ambassadors for the defense of reproductive health rights in rural areas and with one step for the organization’s goals where one of the goals of COHODEO is to influence the enactment of local government by-laws that are friendly to reproductive health issues, especially in rural areas, this project was known as NITASIMAMA TENA
Considering NITASIMAMA TENA project
Measurable Metrics – NITASIMAMA TENA Project (Apr 2023 – Sept 2024)
1. Beneficiaries Reached
34 girls directly trained from 17 wards of Mbogwe District.
100+ parents and community members reached through public sensitization meetings.
17 ward executives and local leaders engaged in supporting the process.
2. Girls’ Choices & Pathways
7 girls → Chose Adult Education (awaiting registration period).
17 girls → Trained in Sewing & Embroidery.
10 girls → Trained in Salon & Hairdressing skills.
3. Achievements (Quantifiable)
100% (34 girls) completed psychosocial and life skills training.
70% (24 girls) already engaged in vocational skills (sewing/salon).
30% (10 girls) awaiting formal education registration.
At least 10 parents purchased equipment (sewing machines, salon tools) or paid school fees for their daughters.
5 village government meetings reported increased discussion and enthusiasm toward supporting girls’ education and reproductive health rights.
4. Reproductive Health & Advocacy Impact
34 trained girls now serve as community ambassadors for reproductive health rights.
17 wards have at least one active ambassador raising awareness against teenage pregnancy and child marriage.
Awareness-raising sessions conducted in villages helped shift attitudes — community members reported being “more supportive” of girls’ dreams.
5. Community & Systems Change
Community awareness increased: public meetings reached over 200 community members.
Policy advocacy groundwork: Early engagement with ward and village leaders has opened space for future by-law discussions.
Our Future Plans
1. Scale-Up and Replication:
Expand the NITASIMAMA TENA initiative to additional wards and districts within the Geita Region and neighboring regions, targeting more girls affected by early pregnancy and child marriage.
2. Establishment of a Girls’ Empowerment and Counseling Center:
Develop a permanent center that provides continuous psychosocial support, life skills training, vocational learning, and mentorship to adolescent mothers and vulnerable girls in rural communities.
3. Community Advocacy and Policy Influence:
Strengthen advocacy efforts for the formulation and enforcement of local government by-laws that protect girls’ rights and promote access to reproductive health information and services.
4. Economic Empowerment and Sustainability:
Support trained girls with startup kits, micro-enterprise mentorship, and savings group formation to ensure lasting economic independence and resilience.
5. Partnership Expansion:
Build stronger collaborations with government agencies, private sector partners, and development organizations to coordinate interventions addressing early marriage, gender inequality, and youth unemployment.
Current Organizational Needs
To realize these future plans and sustain the positive impact achieved, COHODEO currently seeks support in the following key areas:
1. Financial Resources:
Funding to provide startup kits (sewing machines, salon equipment, materials) for trained girls.
Support for training costs, educational fees, and monitoring activities for the next project cycle.
Initial investment for establishing the Girls’ Empowerment and Counseling Center in Mbogwe District.
2. Technical and Capacity-Building Support:
Training in project management, M&E systems, and financial sustainability.
Mentorship and partnership opportunities with experienced organizations working in gender and youth empowerment.
3. Advocacy and Community Mobilization Support:
Resources to design and implement large-scale community awareness campaigns to challenge harmful cultural practices and promote gender equality.
4. Material and Equipment Support:
Provision of training materials, vocational equipment, and learning resources to strengthen practical skill-building sessions.
Commitment and Way Forward
COHODEO remains deeply committed to empowering girls and young women in rural Tanzania to reclaim their dignity, achieve economic independence, and become champions for reproductive health and gender equality.
With continued donor and partner support, COHODEO envisions a generation of empowered young women who will not only stand again (Nitasimama Tena) but will lift others to stand with them — creating lasting change for their families, communities, and the nation.
