Abstract:
This study was conducted in Bukoba District being one of the pilot districts in Tanzania
to implement social support projects supported by TASAF. The overall objective of this
study was to assess the impact of social support projects on vulnerable groups in Bukoba
District, Kagera Region. The specific objectives of this study were to identify TASAF
development interventions on poverty reduction through social support projects; to
compare social support project participants under TASAF and non-TASAF projects
participants; and to determine factors that lead to sustainability of the TASAF sub-
projects. A cross-sectional research design was applied in this study. A representative
sample of 156 respondents (120 TASAF participants, 36 non-TASAF participants) was
drawn from the sampling frame. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed statistically
using statistical packages for social science (SPSS) and statistical test were done using
the chi-squire to test the significant difference between the strata. The study revealed that
there was no much difference in the state of living between project participants and non
participants. Problems that face the projects are: inadequate cash to buy inputs, diseases
of crops and animals, inadequate and ineffective extension services, insufficient
cooperation within participants and leaders, long distance to the field and lack of
competent trainers in carpentry, tailoring and milling projects. The study recommends
that district council should make close follow up of the progress of the projects; that the
inputs are available at the right time and at affordable price and sensitize the vulnerable
people to form SACCOS so as to access to credits. NGOs do their responsibilities
diligently; village governments should backup the vulnerable people to ensure progress of
their projects and households should be aware that the projects are for their benefits andiii
therefore they should ensure that they dedicate their efforts towards achievement of their
project goals.
