SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR WIDOWS WITH HIV

The project led in Arusha and Moshi aimed to enable 150 widows affected by HIV to become self-sufficient by giving them the skills and means to develop and run sustainable businesses, in order to support their families with better education, better housing and regular meals. Specific activities included training and mentoring the HIV-affected women and their families to enable them to set up an income-generating activity. The women were to receive start-up grants to develop a business of their choice. Development loans were also made available to 45 women (previous grant recipients), to further expand their businesses.

At the end of the project 163 widows were able to benefit from the training and support provided by MondoChallenge Foundation and had received grants to start a small business. The fluctuating exchange rate enabled 13 additional women to receive grants. Successful business women from previous rounds of the project attended the two-day training to tell their story and encourage the new group. The 45 women who received additional development loans were further trained in their specific business activity. All the women reported that they were now able to send their children to school, including those who were caring for adopted children of deceased relatives.

The MondoChallenge Foundation is a British charity founded in 2004. It aims to provide support for education and livelihoods in developing countries. It focuses on community-based programmes, working together with local populations to help them improve their lives.

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