WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?

Contributions can be made through the following details:

Account Name: The Foundation for People's Health and Environmental Conservation, Tanzania
Bank name: The National Bank of Commerce
Account Number: 033172000145
SWIFT Code: NLCBTZTX
Country: Tanzania

WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?

FOPHEC TANZANIA: CONTEXTUAL PROFILE AND DONATION:

The Foundation for People’s Health and Environmental Conservation Tanzania (FOPHEC Tanzania) is a dynamic non-governmental organization founded in response to the growing environmental and social challenges facing rural and underserved communities across Tanzania. It was officially registered on April 17, 2023, under the NGO Act No. 24 of 2002.

FOPHEC Head office is currently situated at Pugu Kajiungeni Kisarawe road at the foot of Kazimzumbwi forest reserve in Kisarawe District in Pwani region in the outskirts of Ilala Municipal Council in Dar es Salaam with a focused mission: to create harmony between humanity and nature through education, empowerment, and sustainable practices with the slogan of “Environmental Sustainability for Healthier Communities”

FOPHEC’s vision is to achieve “a wealthy, healthy and well-protected environment supporting a sustainable society and economy.” This is realized through its mission of “promoting a system where humankind and nature can coexist in harmony.” These guiding principles shape every initiative the organization undertakes, from grassroots tree planting efforts to the promotion of clean energy solutions in marginalized communities.

The establishment of FOPHEC Tanzania was a deeply professional journey sparked during training at the College of African Wildlife Management in Mweka, Tanzania, studying Wildlife Management. The two aspects have arisen from this foundation, one. The witness of human impact on vegetation, severe degradation of ecosystems, and its direct impact on people's livelihoods. Two. There is an inseparable link between environmental health and human prosperity. These aspects led to the formulation of this NGO, which is committed to empowering communities with knowledge and tools for sustainable living. This ethos forms the core of FOPHEC Tanzania’s work. The organization is rooted in the belief that true environmental conservation must center people, especially those disproportionately affected by climate change, such as women and youth. Thus, FOPHEC works to bridge scientific knowledge with grassroots action, empowering local people as the primary agents of change through mindset transformation by doing the following:-

1. Promoting Growth Mindsets that abilities and intelligence can be developed, and increase motivation, resilience, and willingness to learn. This transformation leads to a more skilled and adaptable workforce, fostering economic growth and innovation at the community level.

2. Cultivating Empathy and Compassion for more understanding and support of each other, this driven behavior reduces conflict, strengthens social bonds, and enhances cooperation, leading to a more inclusive and harmonious society.

3. Encouraging Critical Thinking and Civic Awareness through education that fosters critical thinking helps individuals make informed decisions and challenge harmful norms. Civic education also empowers people to engage actively in community governance, promoting accountability, justice, and sustainable development.

4. Building a Culture of Responsibility and Integrity, instilling values like honesty, accountability, and work ethic, individuals become more reliable contributors to society. Responsible behavior strengthens trust, reduces corruption, and improves collective outcomes in health, safety, and economic stability.

5. Addressing Limiting Beliefs and Cultural Stigmas, which limit progress, such as gender biases or stigma against mental health. Challenging and transforming these beliefs through awareness campaigns and education unlocks potential and promotes equity.

6. Encouraging Purpose-Driven Living: Finding meaning and purpose in life can significantly improve motivation and well-being. Purpose-driven people are more likely to contribute positively to their communities, engage in volunteerism, and support local initiatives.

7. Strengthening Emotional Intelligence:
Teaching skills like self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy leads to better communication and conflict resolution. Emotionally intelligent communities can handle diversity, adversity, and change more effectively.

8. Fostering Intergenerational Dialogue:
Bridging gaps between generations through shared wisdom and mutual respect can transform attitudes and deepen social cohesion. This creates continuity of values while adapting to modern challenges.

9. Using Media and Storytelling for Positive Change:
Transformational stories, films, and social media can inspire new thinking, break stereotypes, and mobilize collective action. Media plays a crucial role in shifting public narratives toward unity and resilience.

In sum, transforming the mindset of individuals Fophec Tanzania is implemented through educational seminars, workshops, social media, and training, and well-organized campaigns to achieve a transformative mindset of the community.

FOPHEC Tanzania has been working to fulfill several strategic objectives:

Promoting environmental education awareness to schools and the general public and building local capacity for environmental protection.
Promoting alternatives to forest resources, such as clean and sustainable energy technologies, to combat deforestation.
Developing ecotourism initiatives as a way to generate income while preserving biodiversity in areas close to protected areas.
Encouraging agroforestry and tree planting, particularly in schools with unused or degraded land.
Empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through training and support in sustainable practices.
Improving community health through better environmental management and awareness, especially on solid and liquid waste management.

FOPHEC TANZANIA started a pilot project “Sustainable Development of Green Schools and community-owned Land through tree planting” as a volunteer in early July 2021 at Jokate Mwegelo Secondary School with 100 students and 3 teachers by planting 3000 seedlings, and the goal was to plant 5000 seedlings by 2025. Embarked on a mission to heal its degraded landscapes. FophecTanzania appreciates the initial support of €2000 from CRDB Bank and about € 500 from a friend in Germany. The school transformed barren 4 acres of land into vibrant green spaces, inspiring students and teachers. The project aims to plant at least 287 acres in the next 2 years by 2027.

The current status indicates that planted trees stand tall and have survived at the rate of 96.99%. It’s time to enhance their benefits by introducing agroforestry, where students will learn to combine crops and trees harmoniously, and maximize land productivity while conserving biodiversity. The project is a partnership between our organization, schools, students, and teachers who are actively engaged in managing tree nurseries and forested schoolyards, creating a ripple effect of awareness and action throughout the community. The approach is participatory, educational, and motivational, aligning ecological restoration with student engagement and learning.

We are looking for funding from donors that will be used as a continuation initiative fund to provide hands-on education, practical demonstrations in tree planting, and lasting benefits for the school and its community. The funds aim to strengthen and stabilize 3 years of already established projects on environmental awareness and sustainable development, and extend to at least 10 schools in the Kisarawe District by 2027. The school compound will have several activities: students planting fruit trees alongside cassava, teachers explaining the role of nitrogen-fixing plants, and the community marveling at the potential of sustainable practices.

The plan by 2027 is to distribute and plant 200,000 seedlings, reach and train 5,000 pupils on tree planting, 500 students, and the individual public on grafting/budding techniques, and establish one tree nursery at Jokate Mwegelo Secondary School. Efforts will focus on protecting areas like Kazimzumbwi and Pugu Forest Reserves and Nyerere National Park, mitigating human impact through promoting conservation education. The initiative integrates tree planting as a learning tool, engaging students and teachers to foster environmental responsibility and awareness. Through hands-on experiences, participants will develop skills for conservation and intelligent decision-making, contributing to biodiversity preservation. This community-based approach emphasizes localized, sustainable solutions to address Tanzania’s environmental challenges, with lessons from current activities shaping future projects.

Beyond environmental education, the organization addresses broader development challenges where communities face interlinked issues such as deforestation, water scarcity, energy, and poverty. FOPHEC introduces clean cooking technologies, supports forest restoration, and trains communities in sustainable livelihoods. These interventions reflect FOPHEC's holistic understanding of sustainability, where conservation, public health, and poverty alleviation intersect.

Climate justice is also a foundational pillar of FOPHEC’s work. The organization recognizes that the communities suffering most from environmental degradation are often those least responsible for it. The emphasis is that “Climate justice is not just about cutting emissions—it’s about transforming systems of Inequality.” FOPHEC puts this into practice by elevating indigenous knowledge, including women and youth in decision-making processes, and delivering interventions that restore dignity, equity, and opportunity. Internally, FOPHEC operates under a collaborative and professional governance structure. The organization is led by a Chief Executive Officer and supported by department heads specializing in key areas. This structure ensures efficient management and program delivery across diverse sectors as enumerated below:

Chief Executive Officer: Benedict Benson Lisoso
Programme Department : Pascal Hambart
Environmental Department and Deputy CEO: Richard Nchasi
Health Department: Hawa Saadan
Community engagement : Elizabeth Masatu
Financial department: Timothy Amani

This team embodies FOPHEC’s values of integrity, professionalism, teamwork, and accountability, providing strategic leadership and operational support to drive the organization’s impact.

FOPHEC Tanzania is more than an environmental organization—it is a movement to create sustainable, just, and resilient communities. By integrating environmental stewardship with social equity and local leadership, cultivate a future where people and the planet thrive together.

For those interested in supporting this mission, FOPHEC welcomes collaboration, donations, and volunteer engagement. Contributions can be made through the following details:

Account Name: The Foundation for People's Health and Environmental Conservation, Tanzania
Bank name: The National Bank of Commerce
Account Number: 033172000145
SWIFT Code: NLCBTZTX
Country: Tanzania