Today was our last day of formal meetings. It was really enlightening. We had the opportunity to meet with the Tanzania Social Action Fund. The fund is an instrument instituted by the Government to empower communities, facilitate their participation in planning and implementation of interventions that would improve their livelihood. The fund is sustained by money from the IDA, Tanzania government and the Community. Income generation activities come from Vulnerable groups like the elderly, widows,orphans, unemployed youth, people with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS and single mothers.
We also visited two job sites. One for women living with HIV who were making and selling sweaters and the other was at a poultry farm where women and men who have HIV work to help themselves live at or above the poverty line.
It was pretty sad seeing them all working and attempting to do something for their families while knowing that they had a deadly disease. They were very inspirational in regards to the fact that they wanted to work hard to sustain their families. We saw the young children of these people who might or might not have AIDS and I wondered how their life was when we weren't around. At both sites, we were told that many of the workers were sick and couldn't come in that day. 
When we returned on the bus, many of us were talking about how we really wanted to get involved with one of these groups and help them. I am sure we can help them with their marketing, obtaining new supplies and equipment, and looking at various money making ideas that they have possibly not thought of. I'd like to see the future Pace students who attend this field study trip work directly with the underprivileged groups.
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