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Y Global Greetings to YPM in marking 5 years

Dear Youth Peacemakers Tanzania,

YGlobal from Norway congratulate you on your anniversary. YPM is doing great work! YPM is building peace and justice in the community and in the world.

In the world today we have extreme poverty and climate change as two huge challenges. Worldwide around 20.000 children die every day as a consequence of poverty. The root cause of poverty is injustice. Rich countries are consuming too much of the world’s resources. Rich people all over the world are doing too little to create justice and peace in our world and in our communities. YPM is working to change this.

We are proud to partner with you. Youth Peacemakers create saving and investment VICOBA groups lifting people out of poverty and engaging in activities that create accountability and improved services. Youth peacemakers create sports activities for young people where we all can learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and get ideas on how to promote justice and peace in a democratic and non-violent manner. Young people from Peacemakers engage in policy dialogues with policymakers at all levels. YPM sent a competent young woman to Paris some time ago to discuss climate policies at the COP Climate Summit. YPM make sure that young people’s voices are heard and listened to by important policymakers.

We are inspired by Jesus when he says: Blessed are the Peacemakers, they shall be called children of God. We are all children of God and we are all called to be Peacemakers and active promoters of global justice.

In Norway and elsewhere young people are protesting when climate change can destroy the sustainability of nature created by God. We are called to care for our planet and for the people living in this world. We can never accept poverty, violation of human rights or degradation of our environment.

The Bible says: Let there be no hate in your heart for your brother; but you may make a protest to your neighbour, so that he may be stopped from doing evil.

The world has too much evil. We will protest and stop people from doing evil. We are part of global social movements trying to stop poverty, stop discrimination of women, stop climate change, stop pollution, and work hard for justice and peace.

We apologize for the injustice created by high-income countries. We apologize for the climate change created by high-carbon-emitting countries. Norway is among those. Let us unite to create a social movement that can stop climate change, stop poverty and make peace in our world.

We ask you please to continue the close partnership with YGlobal, the YWCA-YMCA of Norway. Thanks for receiving high numbers of volunteers and guests from Norway to Lushoto and Tanzania. Thanks for your spirit of partnership and brotherhood. Please continue to train volunteers for a global movement that can realise and implement the Global SDGs. We need a world free from poverty. Please continue working for this goal together with young people from all over the world. Nobody is free until everybody is free.

Be blessed you Young Peacemakers of Tanzania!

Warm regards

Fredrik Glad-Gjernes | Director YGLOBAL

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Youth peace makers celebrates 5th milestone birthday

On 12th August in 2014, YPM was registered legally under the Companies Act, 2002 (Cap.212) of the laws of Tanzania with a registration certificate number 110507 and she was officially registered under the NGO Act on 04/08/2019 with registration number OONGO/Rs/000237. Tracing back, YPM was established in 2013 as a single project supported by Y Global International, which incorporated youths under SEKOMU and surrounding communities; in a short while, YPM expanded her activities to wider geographical area specifically in Tanga region by establishing Youths camps comprised of 200 youths participating in youth skills empowerment and sports functions.

During the two days of celebration the total number of 2,500 attended the event, YPM set the first day as the day of acquiring knowledge through pieces of trainings, there was training from an expert from Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI). The expert trained VICOBA members about agricultural entrepreneurship specifically on identifying the type of soil and which crops should be planted. The next presentation was from Doctor Msuya who presented issues about HIV/AIDs and Hepatitis B. And the last presentation was from an expert from National Microfinance Bank (NMB), the presentation was about financial management and financial services. All these pieces of trainings fulfilled the motive of YPM to equip her people with knowledge in celebrating the 5 years of YPM. And for sure this marked the importance of gathering together to celebrate.

The second day which was the climax of the event was attended by guest of honour hon. January Lugangika the Lushoto district commissioner ,YPM board chairperson Rev John Sembuyagi, YPM director Rev. Godfrey Walalaze, YPM programs manager Peter Jali and other YPM staffs, the tensing group, representative from football, bicycle, youth parliament and peace clubs.

There were also the Lushoto OCD, representative of the Director- General of Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO), (Regional Manager of SIDO) the District Executive Director(DED) of Lushoto M/S Ikupa Mwaisyoge , Bumbuli council executive director, Handeni council executive director, M/S Joyce Israel the Lushoto district gender, women, children and development officer besides other people who were invited. The commemoration in this day commenced with a march of youth, women, children and men who were appearing in white, black as well as light blue YPM T-shirts, led by trumpets from YPM head office to the Roman Catholic hall through the main city town, bus stand and main streets of Lushoto town. The event was opened by word of prayer by YPM board chairperson, and all guest got a chance to greet and address the mass. It was superb and colourful.

In celebrating 5th years of YPM, the organization has made a good step in fighting against poverty and injustice. During this celebration, we join our hands with the 5th government of the United Republic of Tanzania to champion the national policy of industrialization. To succeed in this, we need to involve effectively youth in every stage of planning and developing favourable policies for youth and employment. By recognizing the importance of youth to participate today, YPM has invested to empower youths and give them an opportunity and know who they are and to use the opportunity and talents that they have in building our country’s economy and their own economy. Surely, we have succeeded in many ways in the past 5 years, to mention a few YPM has succeeded to;

  • Have 183 VICOBA groups with a capital of 1.23 billion shillings and the total loan of 850 million were provided to the members.
  • 17 PETS groups.
  • Have Lushoto Youth Parliament (LYP) which consists of youths from all secondary schools in Lushoto.
  • Conducts inter-school debate competitions and having learning centres for youths.
  • Educating young people in schools about peace, rights, duties and their responsibilities toward their rights through UNSC 2250.
  • Have sports camps and giving youths the chance to participate in international and national competitions. In this, we have (athletics, bicycle competition, football team which brought a big challenge to both football teams in Tanga region and out of Tanga. We also invited our friends from abroad to train our youths in different areas of sports.
  • Conducts different trainings to YPM members based on sector and age.
  • Have the movement to educate the community like “Niache nisome elimu ni mkombozi wangu” (let me school, education is my saviour) movement and positive influencing parent to contribute money or food for their children in schools so that they can have lunch.
  • Have a tree nursery which will produce 300,000 trees end of this year; in the past two months we have started the project and we have already planted more than 30,000 trees at the YPM head office.

We hope that we will implement in a wider range of economic empowerment, environment, education, sports and good governance at the family level, community, national and international arena.

In celebrating our 5th birthday, we know that peace can be hindered by many things, the one main challenge being extreme poverty, corruption, lack of accountability in the government system, climate and environmental destruction and any kind of humiliation.

As we mark the five years milestone, we do affirm and commit ourselves in the next five years into more of.

  1. Implementation our activities towards fulfilling SDG goals 1,4,10 and 13.
  2. Working hand in hand with our government towards vision 2025 of making Tanzania middle income economy.
  3. Implements our strategic plan in making extreme poverty a history, and much more empowerment, lobbying and advocacy.
  4. Networking with like-minded organizations at the local, national and international platforms.
  5. Train and equip many youths a sports school mentally, spirit and physically through a sports school that will be built and run through YPM philosophy.

Lastly, we appreciate every single step, support in kind, spiritually, in cash and technical assistance that have been accorded to YPM. It is through the soft touching  hands that many have been able to be reached , touched  and molded into new beings  with  new hopes in their lives, that of their families, nation and the global citizens.

We do invite more support in any way to make sure that YPM not only fulfill her goals, but go beyond her set goals to make dreams of many become a reality in their lives.

As said in Mathew 5:9. (Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called children of God”. We would like to urge you to work for peace,

Live for peace and campaign for peaceful coexistence wherever you are for we believe that “when human conflict and miss-understanding are cleared by the sweetness of love then the world could be a better Place, a heaven on earth” (Mahatma Gandhi).

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The International Day of the African Child

June 16th is the Day of the African Child. It was first established by the Organization of the African Unity in 1991. The day aims at raising awareness for the situation of children in African soil, and on the need for continuous improvement in education. It encourages people’s spirit to share what they have with a child in Africa.

In this year’s event, for Lushoto district was held at Sunga Mtae in Lushoto district around the compounds of Upendo Agricultural secondary school. The Youth Peace Makers Tanzania participated in the celebration of the Day of African Child, which commenced with a motorcade at district commissioner office in Lushoto. The ridding to the area of the event took place around 9 a.m.
The event was attended by the District commissioner hon. January Lugangika who was the guest of honor, Mrs Ikupa Mwasyoge the Lushoto District Executive Director (DED), Mr Mahanyu General Secretary of CCM in Lushoto district, Mrs Joyce Israel, the Development, gender and Child officer in Lushoto district, Mrs Doris, the Director of Legal Vision Organization, HE for SHE Club from IJA Lushoto, Lushoto OCD representative and a few others.
Speaking on behalf of children across the district and country at large, Mrs Joyce thanked the government for implementing Early Childhood Education, giving access to education for children with disability. Furthermore, the officer appreciated the work of Youth Peace Makers Tanzania in promoting and defending the child’s right through its different programs.
Different groups of children

The guest of honor interring the ceremony field
were given a chance to sing songs, poem and performing drama. All of these expressed the challenges that African child faces. Furthermore, songs, drama and poem showed that society is still violent and thus abuse children’s rights. It was learnt that parents do not care much about the rights of their children and thus allowing forced and early marriage; that was aired by children through their performances and songs.
There were also speeches from District Commissioner (DC), District Executive Director (DED), development, gender and child officer as well as CCM party representatives. The content of these speeches focused on the rights of the child and how these rights can be protected. But also they highlighted issues like early marriage, child labour and how children are treated in families and the communities. There was no doubt that civil societies have made a great contribution in advocating and protecting the rights of the child through raising awareness and educating the society.
Generally, too much emphasis was put on educating African child. And therefore, a request was sent to the government to enforce the laws in place and other policies in favour of children’s education but also civil society and other individuals who are advocating for child’s rights should fasten their shoelace to protect and defend the right of a child in Africa.

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Haugland VISIT.

On 23rd February 2019 YPM received 21 visitors from Haugland, Norway who came to Tanzania to learn about African traditions and to see some YPM’s programmes. They stayed in Tanzania up to the 3rd day of March 2019. When they arrived on the 23rd February they went to passionist hotel where they rested for a while then they visited Bongoyo island which is in the city of Dar Es Salaam. On 24th February they went to Mikumi National Park where they spent a night, and on 25th February they enjoying a morning safari at Mikumi National park. On the same day around 11 hours they left Mikumi for Lushoto where they arrived at 21 hours. They spent a night at Lushoto Highland Hotel, whereas on 26th they went to YPM office where they learnt various programs which are done by YPM. The YPM management and program officers gave presentations pertaining the programs which are done by YPM. Later in the evening the visitors met the tensing group, in which the tensing group shared what they are doing, and they ended playing volleyball together. On 27th February morning they visited The Children’s home which is located at Irente where they learnt the centre’s history, played with the children, and then they went to Irente farm where they got an amazing experience of seeing some plants which they have never seen in their lives, such as sugarcane, cassava, avocado tree, banana trees, etc. They also enjoyed lunch at Irente farm. In the afternoon they went to Ubiri secondary school where they saw YPM Clubs which are Subject to Citizen club and the Environmental club. Those clubs showed fashion shows, there was music dance, singing, presentations about environmental conservation in Tanzania, the right of pregnant girls to continue with school, and the right to education in Tanzania generally. The visitors also shared their home country experience regarding those presentations. Finally the visitors sang a song.
On 28th February in the morning they went to Magamba forest for biking and hiking, then they went back to YPM’s office. In the afternoon they went to Ntumbi village and met with VICOBA groups where they learnt how the said groups invest money and take loans, their projects and the way they observe their rules in managing their groups. During the evening they went to the families in those villages where 2 visitors went to one family where they cooked food and learnt how those families lives, therefore they spent a night in those respective families.
On 1st March they prepared breakfast in those families where they spent a night, and thereafter they went back to the hotel where they rested for a while. In the evening they played a football match with YPM football team. In the evening they went to Irente view to enjoy the sunset at Irente cliff. Finally they got a farewell dinner at Irente view hotel with YPM Staff, tensing representative and Football team representative. Finally they went back to Highland hotel.
On the 2nd day of March at 6 hours in the morning they left Lushoto for Dar Es Salaam where they arrived at 14 hours where they went to the cultural market and bought some stuffs. Then they went to Passionist hotel where they had reflections and deliberations about their trip, and they rested for a while before going to the airport. At 23 hours on the same day they left the hotel and went to the airport. On the 3rd day of March at 4 hours they took a flight to Norway.
Their stay was fruitful and enjoyable, we have learnt a lot from them and they learnt a lot from us as well despite the timetable being very tight. But all of them were able to participate fully in all programs. We cordially invite them to Tanzania once again.

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Job Title: Organizations, Accountant Report to: Programs Manager

Purpose of the Post
The Youth Peacemakers Tanzania aims to improve the livelihoods of community members in identified target areas in Tanzania by empowering youths, women and other community members in skills to advocate, lobby and implement national development plans within their communities and groups. That involve skills in production and accessing of markets. The project is currently being implemented in the region of Tanga in districts of Lushoto, Korogwe, Handeni, Mkinga and Tanga with Youths being the main target.
The Accountant will serve as the Finance and Accounts focal point for the Youth Peacemakers in all her activities. His/her key role will be to supervise, develop and deliver on all accounts related matters. He/she will work and assist to control and direct the accounts section, produce timely reports and supervise transactions.
The Accountant will be expected to observe the mission and core values of Youth Peacemakers and demonstrate a quality of skills that is exemplary to others.

Job Description:
1. Prepares asset, liability, and capital account entries by compiling and analyzing account information
2. Tracking and maintaining fixed asset ledgers, general ledger
3. Interprets regulations and accounting policies and procedures
4. Posts financial transactions including transfers, deposits, and journals.
5. Prepares financial records for annual auditing and reporting purposes to facilitate a clean audit.
6. Summarizes current financial status by collecting information; preparing balance sheet and other reports.
7. Maintains financial security by following internal controls
8. Answers accounting procedure questions by researching and interpreting accounting policy and regulations.
9. Monitors and maintains appropriate bank balances in YPM accounts; reconciles general ledger accounts.
10. Prepares monthly forecast and bank reconciliation; researches and resolves discrepancies.
11. Account for any funds as per provided guidelines with high level of accuracy, honest, integrity and timeliness.
12. Provide periodic Financial reports as required (Monthly, Quarterly, bi annual and annually).
13. Maintain a professional performance Complies with national and local financial legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, and advising management on needed actions.
14. Assists in the development and implementation of the YPM accounting system to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and auditing procedures.
15. Assists with the preparation of annual YPM budget for grants and categorical programs to assure expenditures are balanced to revenues.
16. Secures financial information by completing data base backups.
17. Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping financial information confidential.
18. Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related duties timely and as needed.
19. Undertake any other tasks that further the objectives of the YPM Lushoto Branch.

Minimum Qualification:
1. Advance Diploma or Degree in Accountancy from a recognized University or college

2. Experience in non-profit fund accounting a plus

Desired
1. Women are highly encouraged to apply
2. Preferably age is between 20 – 40 years
3. Must be able to adhere to strict confidentiality policies regarding client and organizational information

4. This is a full time position which demands availability at working station.

Mode of application
1. Letter of motivation and a detailed CV attached together with certified relevant copies of certificates.
2. Send to: The Director
Youth Peacemakers Tanzania
Box 395 Lushoto – Tanga
3. Deadline for application 15th March 2019

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YOUTH PEACE FORUM

YPM Tanzania organized a Peace Forum of more than 100 youth from colleges and High schools. The aim was to involve youth on peace building as it was discussed in the United Nation’s Resolution 2250. The youth generation is the generation that is likely to be affected and involved in wars. But with emphasis on the discussion shared on UNSCR 2250 Youth must be built as peacemakers and they must play the role of reconciliation.
Youth as the people with power and energy in the society must have positive contribution in promotion of peace and security. They are to be equipped so that they avoid being victims and perpetrators of different wars and protect peace and provide justice and security within their communities.
Youth must recognize that the rise of radicalization to violence and violent extremism especially among youth threatens stability and development and can lead to terrorism. A nation that has no peace cannot have the development it wants even if the society is well educated. Peace must be the priority of all people and youth are forming large population in Tanzania and many other countries in the world, unfortunately with no direction that group can be affected by armed conflict and even civil clashes.
The highlight of this gathering was to enlighten youth to be advocates for national governments, Regional and International Organizations to engage youth in building and maintaining peace through provision of better living environment, education, leveled grounds for participation and airing their views as well as contributing in addressing and fighting causes of poverty.
From many of the participants it was shared and believed that Tanzania can continue to be the peaceful country if youth of this country can be united in different ways, their talents celebrated, and together involved in promotion and protection of peace.
On top of the discussion and exchange of views on UNSCR 2250, the forum also gave room for the discussion on the Sustainable Development Goals. The presentations was on the 17 SDG’s goals, the contribution to development, the challenges in implementation and the goals of which youth feel to identify directly into their life endeavors. The issue of quality education, innovation and creativity was highlighted by many in group discussion on what can empower them. More of sports activities were asked and the YPM was burdened to see how they can develop small talents as a way to identity, confidence and positive living of youths in life cycles.
The forum saw the election of representative leaders from each participating institution which was followed by election of the steering committee to stand on Youth Peace and Security of youths in Lushoto. The end goal of the process and getting a steering committee was to increase awareness, call for active participation in matters affecting youth in Lushoto and formation of more Youth Peace clubs in their institutions.

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YPM Celebrates the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

This year 2018, marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly, resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992, marking 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
On Saturday, October 20th YPM held the ‘Grand VICOBA Day’ to mark that specific International Day for Eradication of Poverty which is usually celebrated on 17th October. The occasion saw more than 350 delegates who were representatives of two to five members coming from part of the YPM VICOBA groups for network building, exchange of ideas and celebrating the success of those who have been committed to fighting poverty and bringing new hope in life through forming groups in the past four years.
In marking the International Day for Eradication of Poverty, the representatives managed to share their success stories and the mile stones in their lives. The VICOBA has made their stories of eradicate poverty a reality despite challenges facing them. It has given them confidence to stand for what is justice and demand it where denied within families, couples, villages and communities. Through economic stability they have tried to live the words of the UN General Secretary that “…ending poverty is not a matter of charity but a question of justice.” http://www.un.org/en/events/povertyday/

The official guest of honor was the District Commissioner who was represented by Joyce Israel, the head of Development department in the Lushoto District Council. She emphasized on the importance of joining hands to see that our communities are set free from the oppression caused by extreme poverty. She acknowledged and hailed the work of YPM in which it has helped a good number of families to come a step away from despair. She was happy to see how a number of participants share their hopes to be counted as new new rich from the ditch of poverty. She further congratulated the specific program of VICOBA to have elaborately bring into life the 2018 theme that says “Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity”
On marking the day, there were special speeches given by a number of organizations such as NSSF (National Social Security Fund), NMB Bank, NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund) on their services and what they can offer to the members. That was followed by a number of questions for further understanding from the audience.
At the climax of the event YPM awarded the facilitators who succeeded in establishing many groups as compared to others. These were the runner up Mr. Vicent Dastan Paul who managed to organize more than 12 groups. The first and thus record holder was Mr. Wilson Joseph Dereva who formed more than fifty groups. They were awarded a medal and certificates of appreciation to the magnificent work. All others who managed to form any number of groups were also awarded a certificate of recognition of their work.

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“The Right to Peace – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70”

On 21st September it is an international peace day celebration, Due to many YPM responsibilities this day was moved and celebrated on 25th Sept 2018. It was attended by the Tensing team with the YPM football team, Computer class kids and the staff.
Tahona Godfrey and Elias Adrian YPM volunteers were involved in running the whole exercise by explaining the importance of peace on earth and asking questions to some of the participants. The importance of the day was manifested through brief speeches from participants on how each of us has a role to play so as to enjoy peace. The words reflected the importance of Right to peace to all people. As youth in Africa they shared on a number of countries where peace is a farfetched reality, but also how many youths suffer violence through being forced into conflict and war tone areas. They see how peace is the ingredient for justice and human rights to all. The words echoed the message for the day given by the General Secretary of UN Antonio Guterres on marking the International Peace Day. As he says “It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. This year marks the 70th anniversary of that landmark document.” — Secretary-General António Guterres
As Youth Peacemakers we join the world in celebrating and even more putting emphasis on the importance of peace as one of the basic and important ingredient for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Youths under YPM are involved in a number of activities in Schools, Colleges and general life walks with peace as a guiding compass for success. It has been witnessed through the stories that were shared by the football players that they have been wining different trophies at their level to the point that now they will represent the district to the FA CUP in Tanga region. The secret has been working for peace, living peacefully and sharing peace even to opponents in their competitions. The same is needed to all people of the world. We need peace to each individual so as to enjoy the God given creation. Justice is fundamental for Peace, but the true provider of Justice should be raised in peaceful circumstances—YPM envision provision of peace platforms to youth and community members to be able to see justice throughout our communities.
The event was colored with training on S2C (Subject to Citizen), Brief explanations of Importance of VICOBA to Youths economic initiatives and various games like pulling a rope, a coca cola drinking competition, the fun learning activities on dependence and need of one another as well as a volleyball contest.
Through this event we believe the participating youths have gained an opportunity to appreciate the importance of peace in the world but will also use the talents and opportunities they have to invest and work for peace so as to set platforms for achieving their dreams.

“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” Mathew 5:9

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YPM conducted education campaign at Makanya Ward; “NIACHE NISOME ELIMU NI MKOMBOZI WANGU”

YPM conducted education campaign at Makanya Ward; this is one of the areas where there is a great challenge for students to continue studies especially after basic education, given the importance of education in human life, and to focus on the vision of YPM in empowering young people, YPM find it important to have public awareness campaigns to raise conscious on the importance of education and the long time impact of avoiding education, this activity was in line with the campaign motto
“NIACHE NISOME ELIMU NI MKOMBOZI WANGU”
YPM had the opportunity to meet the leadership of Makanya Village and Ward and was given a warm welcome to carry out this mobilization activity. In the occasion there were a lot of young girls and boys from the nearby schools of Mboghoi and Makanya Primary and Secondary Schools as well as the parents who were attending the market day.
The message was well received and the comments were of high appreciation with the invitation for a second round to allow more members and nearby schools to get the knowledge.
We do believe the knowledge will help the community and the youths to value education more than it has been in the previous years. It is expected that they will manage to consider performing better and go to Secondary schools rather than rushing to doing the home maid works in towns and cities.
The Art group of YPM was central in performing and educating the community on the stage and by mingling with them to exchange views and ideas on their performance. YPM will continue with this exercise in other areas to continue to mobilize the community on the importance of education, it is hoped that this will bring new light in the village and rural communities where education was not important at all.