BACKGROUND OF TAMPRO

The Tanzania Muslim Professionals Association (here in after referred to as TAMPRO) is a Non Governmental Organisation founded and registered on 22 August 1997 under the societal ordinance.  Its registration number is SO 8994. A move to establish TAMPRO was started by a Pressure group of Muslim graduates who decided to unite their fellow  Muslim professionals in the county hence initiated the establishment of TAMPRO.  Any Muslim professional provided he/she applies for membership is eligible to become a member. New members are approved by the AGM.

Currently TAMPRO has more than 500 members’ women and men throughout the country. TAMPRO’s members include teachers, community developers, economists, accountants, sociologists, chemists, doctors, nutritionists, food scientists, agriculturists, lab technicians, artists, engineers, lawyers, technologists, information and communication experts, political scientists and planners, members’ academic qualifications include certificates, diplomas, and degrees up to doctoral and postdoctoral level.

Since its establishment, some eight years ago, TAMPRO has gained a strong leadership base and experience to undertake various programmes. TAMPRO established a clearly defined organisational structure.  It has decentralized structures that facilitate urban and rural outreach activities.

As an NGO, it is independent in decision-making process. Decisions are made in a participatory manner during meetings whose records are available to members when needed.  TAMPRO leadership is accountable to all members to ensure transparency and good governance.

Currently the main sources of funds are derived from:

• Sadaka paid by any willing Muslim.
• Monthly membership Subscription.
• Donations from willing individuals and partners.

Also, presently efforts are ongoing to seek for partnerships and financial assistance to support self - initiated development projects.

One of the well known an ongoing project of TAMPRO is the project on Pre-primary teachers training college with an output of about 45 graduates annually.. These teachers are posted to go and improve the existing “Madrasas” to incorporate secular education on top of the religion teachings that Muslim children receive.

TAMPRO is also running a secondary school in Mkuranga district, Coast region.  The progress and performance of the Sotele  Secondary School is encouraging.

TAMPRO is presently affiliated to other CSOs around the country. Also, it has a strong network with government institutions and other NGOs like TANGO an umbrella NGO in the country. Also, TAMPRO plans to extend further more to the government system. For example, currently it is cooperating highly with various government ministries including Education, Science and Higher Education, and Social Welfare.

Previously, TAMPRO was in a forefront to pressurize the government to allow female Muslim students wear “Hijaab” and attend their Friday prayers.  According to the national constitution, this is the basic human right.  The results were very successful to date.

TAMPRO’s Vision

To institute a mechanism which will solve existing problems facing poor and disadvantaged communities in Tanzania.

TAMPRO’S Mission

To work with the community through various programs and Create Various Opportunities to improve the well - being of the community.

TAMPRO ACTIVITIES

TAMPRO aims at facilitating the creation of sustainable management systems at grassroots level by strengthening programmes, networking with CSOs/CBOs,/FBOS or groups on sensitisation, networking, collaboration, organizational capacity building ,family welfare, health, food, Nutrition, family resource and relationships, education, training, action-research and resource mobilization at grass-roots level. 
TAMPRO has always been interested in carrying out activities that promote the economic welfare of the poor and disadvantaged Tanzanian families.

TAMPRO’s activities are based on the needs of the community.  They range from operating a child - centred programmes, such as pre-primary schoolteachers training. Others are agricultural and micro-projects. Support to youth and women groups through training, entrepreneurship, research, consultancy and advisory services, information dissemination through newspapers, newsletters, books, seminars, workshops, and conferences. Information of TAMPRO activities is available at its head office.

It is anticipated that most programs will be sustained after the withdrawal of donor support because they are operated on community-based basis.  Also resources raised by some fund raising activities include consultancy and advisory services, sale of news letters/news papers, reports and other publications and contributions and fees made by members of the Association.

TAMPRO’s objectives: -

• To enhance solidarity among Muslim professionals in Tanzania.

• To promote learning capabilities among poor and disadvantaged communities and fulfil their educational needs.

• To provide consulting services in all areas of social economic and technology development.
• To initiate and coordinate different social - economic development projects for the aim of creating more employment opportunities and improving the well being of communities especially in rural areas and urban poor.

• To cooperate with other NGO/FBO/CBO/CSOs to bring change to the society.

TAMPRO’S Achievements.

Since its establishment TAMPRO has carried out a commendable work in the promotion of solidarity among Muslim professionals in Tanzania.  For example, it has organized several meetings, seminars and workshops related to Qur’an and Professionalism, human rights and Islamic laws.

Currently the Association has one successful project namely, a seven-month Pre-primary school teachers course. Progress reports of this project are available upon request. Until to date about 160 participants had graduated majority being women.

Several religious and secular debates have been arranged by TAMPRO for its members. These debates and dialogues have enabled TAMPRO members to learn and share experiences with each other in the country. It is the expectation of TAMPRO to continue to promote this activity to broaden its coverage of more debate and dialogues sessions.  TAMPRO has created a strong information network among its members, between its office and government institutions and other CSOs/NGOs.

TAMPRO aspires to improve its efficiency through various means, including requesting willing partners for small funds, materials and facilities. However, TAMPRO’s major constraint in the implementation of its annual plans is inadequate support in terms of funds and facilities including computers, transport of any kind and teaching facilities and materials.