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