Kikukwe community mobilizes for completion of girls' dormitory

Magreth Kyai, UMKI General Secretary, delivers her speech during the Kikukwe Day ceremony.

By Mutayoba Arbogast

Kikukwe village in Missenyi district, through Umoja wa Maendeleo Kijiji Kikukwe (UMKI), a Community-Based Organization (CBO), has launched an intensive mobilization initiative to gather support for completing the Kikukwe Government Secondary School girls' dormitory. 

The project aims to raise TZS 25 million needed for roofing, part of a larger TZS 150 million budget for the entire construction.

The mobilization effort was inaugurated on December 27 during the fourth anniversary celebrations of UMKI, an annual event known as “Kikukwe Day.” 

Held at Kikukwe Secondary School grounds, the event saw the organization’s General Secretary, Magreth Kyai, report significant progress on the project.

In her speech, Kyai acknowledged the government’s allocation of TZS 50 million for the 2024/25 fiscal year to support the community’s efforts. However, she stressed that government funding alone is insufficient to cover the total costs. 

“We urgently need 286 iron sheets, each costing TZS 32,000, amounting to TZS 25 million, to complete the dormitory’s roofing,” she said. Kyai expressed confidence that with sustained community support, the dormitory could be completed by early 2025.

The completion of the dormitory is expected to significantly reduce incidents of sexual abuse and gender-based violence (GBV) against schoolgirls. A report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 2,382 children were victims of rape in 2023, underscoring the need for safe housing for vulnerable students.

Jones Majula, representing the UMKI Chairperson, commended the community’s dedication to development and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to improving education, economic activities, and community welfare. 

He announced plans to extend next year’s “Kikukwe Day” celebrations to a week, featuring activities such as community-wide bike rides.

Kikukwe Village Chairperson Josephat Ikula pledged continued mobilization efforts to secure contributions from villagers, emphasizing that reliance on government pledges alone would not suffice. “We must come together as a community to achieve our goals,” he said.

Attendees attentively follow UMKI’s progress report.

Despite UMKI’s efforts to promote economic stability and self-reliance, some community members have raised concerns about rising crime rates and declining safety. 

Reports of livestock theft and other offenses indicate a need for stronger enforcement measures. Chairperson Ikula, addressing these issues, stated, “What do you think I can do when the offended party is reluctant to report matters to the authorities?” 

This underscores the need for enhanced community cooperation and dialogue to improve security and uphold village bylaws.

UMKI remains committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all residents. The organization calls on community members and stakeholders to contribute to the dormitory’s completion—an essential step toward ensuring safety and educational access for girls in Kikukwe and surrounding villages.