Hello everyone
Well I am still well and happy here in Dar.
I will start this post with an update on work progress.
Progress with the Hotline...
The past week I have been working hard at putting together a strategy paper setting out the various tasks that need to be accomplished to ensure the proper establishment and functioning of the hotline which will serve as an initial document which will allow a brain storming session with my colleagues here at TAWA. In this regard I have been sourcing telephone companies that may be prepared to offered us free services as part of their corporate social responsibilities. I will report back on how that one goes! I have also been preparing a standards and procedures checklist for operation of the hotline, aswell as a data capture tool. This should allow us to better monitor and evaluate the success of the service. This is quite a lengthy process and I have no doubt that this project will occupy a lot of my time over the next six months!
What else?
Some Irish connections...
On Monday I had a meeting with the Irish Ambassador Lorcan Fullum and took the opportunity to discuss in great detail the benefit of the work that TAWLA do. It was very kind of him to give up his time to listen to me and I think he actually managed to get a couple of words in also! Interestingly, the Irish government indirectly funds TAWLA through WILDAF. Ambassador Fullam also has put be in contact with the lady at the embassy who is in charge of gender issues and in particular addressing gender based violence. I am really looking forward to meeting with her in the near future to understand more this important issue and the approaches that are currently being taken in addressing it.
Some American visitors....
I am also assisting on drafting of a bill for the right to Sexual and Reproductive Health. In this regard we had two ladies from the Centre of Reproductive Health (CRH) visit the office yesterday. CRH is an American NGO with a presence in Kenya and who are looking to partner with TAWLA here in Tanzania with a view to promoting sexual and reproductive health for Tanzanian women. I have learnt from my colleagues here at TAWLA that in many instances women do not have access to contraceptives, pre or post antenatal care or sexual health screening.
And of course for the fun stuff
Last weekend I had my first flavor of Tanzanian nightlife...On Saturday I went for a lazy afternoon lunch that went on for many hour at a lebanese restaurant in Maasaki...This was followed by drinks and a bit of a boogey in a local bar that for the life of me I cannot remember! I stayed in the city with an Irish friend that I have met since arriving here as I live a little do far to get home safely that time of night!
On Sunday, I have to admit feeling a little worse for wear, I met with Mama Kabache at her home in Upanga. Mama Kabache is a the mother of a Tanzanian friend of mine that I met in Ireland before coming away. Mama Kabache is a truly inspirational woman and a pioneer of her generation. Mama Kabache is a retired member of parliament and held a special seat for women's rights. We spent many hours on Sunday discussing the issues facing Tanzanian women and I learnt so much from her. We were also joined by Mr Kabir who has also lived an incredibly interesting life. Mr Kabir worked with the UN for many years in its head office in New York and later was the Ambassador for Zanzibar. I was served the most delicious meal of spiced chicken, rice and beans. I have been told next time I can help in the kitchen so that I can learn the recipes. Mama Kabache has also invited me to her grand nephews wedding so that should be such a wonderful experience. I am really looking forward to this.
This week I also start my swhailli lessons aswell so I am excited about!
This weekend I will definitely take some photos and upload them. My words do not do justice to the vibrancy and vitality of life in Dar es Salaam.
Until next time and wishing you all well.
Eithne xx
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Eithne's Journey with TAWLA: One week down and what have I done so far.....
Eithne's Journey with TAWLA: One week down and what have I done so far.....: "Hello everyone Well as the heading suggests I here just over one week and felt that I now have had sufficient time here to be able to shar..."
One week down and what have I done so far.....
Hello everyone
Well as the heading suggests I here just over one week and felt that I now have had sufficient time here to be able to share some news!
Tanzanian Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA)
As many of you know I have decided to take a hiatus from the corporate world and pour my time and energy into a grass roots NGO in Dar es Salaam. Over the next six months I am committed to working with the ladies at TAWLA to promote equal rights for women and children. I will be based in the legal aid department. There are 4 members of staff and 16 volunteers. We take consultations on Mondays and Wednesday and on Friday's we hold reconciliation meetings. TAWLA provides free legal advice to women in relation to their legal rights in particular with regards to matrimonial issues and probate matters.
This week I sat in on two consultations. Even with my pigeon Swahilli (I begin lessons with my teacher next week) I was able to understand the gist of the complaint. Our client was being abused by her husband and he was refusing to assist in the financial care of their child. We have arranged for the husband to attend at the office Friday week for a reconciliation meeting. The purpose of the reconciliation meeting is assist the parties in reaching an agreement with regards to their dispute. The other consultation concerned the desertion of a woman by her husband with a large debt to repay. Unfortunately in this instance she also signed the agreement but hopefully we will be able to assist her in brokering a re-payment schedule with the company.
My work plan for the next couple of weeks....
In addition to attending on consultations, I have discussed with my colleagues how I may help with the capacity building of the organisation. I have suggested that we compile a precedent folder of court documents for the most common proceedings issued by TAWLA on behalf of clients. I am currently working on this.
Also I am putting together a proposal for the implementation of a free hotline service. TAWLA has received some funding for this. My job will be to put together a marketing strategy so that the ladies in most need of the service will know about it. I will keep you all posted on the progress of this.
It's not all work.....
I am settled into my new life in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam. I am living with Elaine and Tendekye Guni and their baby daughter Tara. Our house is in a quite rural area close to Kigigi beach. Kigamboni is a lovely tranquil spot and nice reprieve from the hussle and bustle of the mainland! To get to work I take a dala dala (little mini bus) to the port. I then take a ferry across to the mainland and from their I take another bus to Bugoni. TAWLA House is based in Ilala.
Last week I attended the Bloomsday party with the Irish Society which was great fun. It consisted of a bit of a pub crawl followed by a lovely dinner in the Alexander Hotel. I met a lovely lady called Peggy at the party and tomorrow night Peggy will show me the hotspots around the city. Will report back on that in the next blog!
Anyway, I probably should get back to work. I will blog again soon and upload photos aswell.
Until next time,
Eithne
Well as the heading suggests I here just over one week and felt that I now have had sufficient time here to be able to share some news!
Tanzanian Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA)
As many of you know I have decided to take a hiatus from the corporate world and pour my time and energy into a grass roots NGO in Dar es Salaam. Over the next six months I am committed to working with the ladies at TAWLA to promote equal rights for women and children. I will be based in the legal aid department. There are 4 members of staff and 16 volunteers. We take consultations on Mondays and Wednesday and on Friday's we hold reconciliation meetings. TAWLA provides free legal advice to women in relation to their legal rights in particular with regards to matrimonial issues and probate matters.
This week I sat in on two consultations. Even with my pigeon Swahilli (I begin lessons with my teacher next week) I was able to understand the gist of the complaint. Our client was being abused by her husband and he was refusing to assist in the financial care of their child. We have arranged for the husband to attend at the office Friday week for a reconciliation meeting. The purpose of the reconciliation meeting is assist the parties in reaching an agreement with regards to their dispute. The other consultation concerned the desertion of a woman by her husband with a large debt to repay. Unfortunately in this instance she also signed the agreement but hopefully we will be able to assist her in brokering a re-payment schedule with the company.
My work plan for the next couple of weeks....
In addition to attending on consultations, I have discussed with my colleagues how I may help with the capacity building of the organisation. I have suggested that we compile a precedent folder of court documents for the most common proceedings issued by TAWLA on behalf of clients. I am currently working on this.
Also I am putting together a proposal for the implementation of a free hotline service. TAWLA has received some funding for this. My job will be to put together a marketing strategy so that the ladies in most need of the service will know about it. I will keep you all posted on the progress of this.
It's not all work.....
I am settled into my new life in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam. I am living with Elaine and Tendekye Guni and their baby daughter Tara. Our house is in a quite rural area close to Kigigi beach. Kigamboni is a lovely tranquil spot and nice reprieve from the hussle and bustle of the mainland! To get to work I take a dala dala (little mini bus) to the port. I then take a ferry across to the mainland and from their I take another bus to Bugoni. TAWLA House is based in Ilala.
Last week I attended the Bloomsday party with the Irish Society which was great fun. It consisted of a bit of a pub crawl followed by a lovely dinner in the Alexander Hotel. I met a lovely lady called Peggy at the party and tomorrow night Peggy will show me the hotspots around the city. Will report back on that in the next blog!
Anyway, I probably should get back to work. I will blog again soon and upload photos aswell.
Until next time,
Eithne
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