CSR Case Studies: Intra Energy Supporting local Women

THE CHALLENGE

Tanzania and neighbouring nations are some of the poorest in the world despite the nation’s wealth of mineral resources and agricultural land. Traditionally, women are not supported or encouraged to work. They lack the skills and knowledge to find employment or to operate their own businesses.

Intra Energy Corporation’s (IEC) Tancoal mine in the southwest of Tanzania is in close proximity to the Ruanda and Ntunduwaro villages, which are approximately 1.5 hours’ drive from Songea and 16 hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam.

Mbalawala Women’s Group making pottery

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The aim of this project is to provide local village women with opportunities for greater social equality, financial independence and sustainability so that they are able to own and operate a business.

This was achieved through:

• Establishing the Mbalawala Women’s Group with a main office in the Ruanda village;
• Establishing a vegetable farm, for the women to cultivate and sell vegetables to the mine camp kitchen and at the local villages;
• Training the women in making briquettes to sell to the local community for use in cooking;
• Training the women as cooks and cleaners so that they can gain employment with the mine;
• Providing pottery lessons to the women’s group, and supporting them to sell the pottery at the village markets; and
• Supporting the women’s group to become a sustainable business through ongoing mentoring.

The Mbalawala Women’s Group is an on-going project which started in late 2011 and will continue to develop over time.

BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT

The Mbalawala Women’s Group formally employs 26 local women from Ruanda and Ntunduwaro villages. The establishment of this group has contributed to an increase in employment of local villagers. It has also further benefited the broader community by providing increased access to fresh fruit and vegetables for mine workers and locally-made pots for local villagers.

Vegetable farm established for the Mbalawala Women’s Group

ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

The organisations listed below worked in partnership to plan and implement this project:

Mbalawala Women’s Group Committee
This group included representatives from IEC, Tancoal (IEC’s operating subsidiary), the National Development Corporation of Tanzania, the village chairmen of Ruanda and Ntunduwaro, the District Executive and the General Manager of the women’s group. The Committee oversees the general operation and takes financial responsibility for the activities of the group and was the direct recipients of the DAP Grant for the project.

Australian Government
AusAid’s Direct Aid Programme, through the Australian High Commission in Kenya, provided $A28,500 funding towards the project.

Intra Energy Corporation
Intra Energy Group contributed approximately $A124,000 for project set-up costs to date and is committed to supporting the Women’s Group until it becomes a self-sustaining entity and can expand its activities. The on-going maintenance costs for this project are approximately $A100,000 per annum to fund the wages of the 26 women until the group becomes self-sufficient.

OUTCOMES TO DATE

The Mbalawala Women’s Group was successfully established with a membership of 26 local women, and has been operational for almost 12 months.

The Group has successfully provided catering services to the mine. Catered functions have included formal functions involving visiting dignitaries, and as a result the group is considering branching into other food services for the villages.

The women who have participated in the Group have been trained in new skills and are gaining financial independence and equality which will enable them to operate the business on their own.

To date, pottery sales have been relatively slow. The viability of this strategy is being reviewed as the demand for the pottery has been low within this small population. The women are receiving training in briquette-making and it is anticipated that the sale of briquettes will substantially increase revenue for the Group.

Vegetable farm established for the Mbalawala Women’s Group

CONCLUSION

Working in partnership with the Australian Government and local communities to deliver programs that support the local community is essential to achieving sustainable outcomes. The combined knowledge and expertise resulting from a collaborative approach produces greater sustainable outcomes than can be achieved through working alone.

For further information regarding this project please contact Intra Energy