Children In Need Network
Members
Tasintha
Lusaka area
Programme mandate and
overview:
Tasintha
programme is a grass-roots Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) of a non
profit making, non partisan, and interdenominational nature which was
established by a group of 39 people representing 11 local Women and Youth
Organisations, the International Community in Lusaka and individuals who met
in Lusaka on 1st April 1992, Who were concerned about the
problems of the children and women living in hazardous situations of
prostitution, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and HIV/AIDS,
particularly as it related to the growing spread of HIV/AIDS and its already
acknowledged devastating impact on society. The word Tasintha derives from a
Zambian local language “Chewa” and means “deeper transformation”.
Vision statement: Free Zambia from Sex Work and HIV/AIDS
Mission statement:
Tasintha is an organization aimed at
transforming the lives of women engaging in sex work, trafficked girls,
women and those of vulnerable children through out Zambia by providing
alternative life styles through life saving and professional skills.
THE
PROGRAMME PROVIDES:
· Life saving and professional skills (depending on the individuals level of education)
· Health services
· Rehabilitation facilities
· Child welfare; and
· Advocacy for human rights and protection against abuse of women and children involved in prostitution and sex work.
The Programme strongly believes in strategies that promote rehabilitation, recovery and restoration of victims of prostitution as well as prevention mechanism.
The programme objectives:
· To collect, analyse data and disseminate information on the status, extent, participation, victims and dangers of prostitution.
· Develop Programmes and Projects for giving women and girls in need skills that will provide alternative lifestyles.
· Motivate those that are engaged in prostitution towards changed behaviours and lifestyles.
· Provide health services and advice.
· Organise and conduct counselling for victims.
· Provide life saving and professional skills and develop income generating activities for women and children in prostitution to replace their “quick” sex incomes.
· Create awareness among Policy makers, Youth Leaders, Teachers and the general public at large about the situation and needs of women and children engaged or associated with prostitution and its dangers.
· Educate young people about positive sexual behaviour.
· Raise funds and other necessary resources for its activities, and
· Undertake other programmes and projects related to these objectives.
· To liaise with other Projects, Programmes and Organisations working in the area of women and children in prostitution and sexual abuse both in the region and at international level in order to share ideas and promote their improved quality of life.
Programme strategies and activities include but not limited to:
a) identification of women and children involved in prostitution; Establishing relation with them: Recruitment into the Programme; Counselling towards Recovery and Resettlement of victims and family reunion:
b) Training in simple practical life-saving and Professional skills and income generating activities such as;
· Textile printing processing and designing (Tie-dye and Batik);
· Design, Tailoring and sewing
· Building materials production (block, roof/floor tiles and flower pot making)
· Knitting, crocheting and embroidery;
· Craftsmanship and sisal product production;
· Visual art;
· Community theatre and Drama;
· Music and choir;
· Culture dancing;
· Auto-mechanics (external);
· Secretarial and computer training (external);
· Book-Keeping and business management; (external)
· Book binding (external)
· Peer Education;
· Hotel catering Management (external);
· Poultry management
· Block making
c) Health support services that include but not limited to:
A medical scheme for all members and their children that facilitate access to public clinics and hospitals.
Operation of a full-time clinic at the centre that provides;
· A Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care
· An Under five Clinic
· An Ante/Post Natal clinic
· A Counselling and Health Education on Prostitution, STIs, HIV/AIDS, Hygiene and Nutrition as well as
· Home Care nursing for the sick.
d) Prevention – the early catchment Programme targets and reaches out to potential victims of prostitution such as vulnerable groups of young people and individuals whose difficult situations (school drop-outs, street vendors, street children, uncared for orphans) are likely to force them to commercialise their sex with life saving education, knowledge and skills through an outreach Programme both in schools, the streets and in communities.
e) The lobbying and advocacy programme endeavours to sensitise the public and government using information dissemination through the:
· Print and electronic media ,
· On spot interviews
· Publication and production of pamphlets, booklets, and videos,
· Extension and field work outreach,
· Research on the ills of prostitution in society as a whole, particularly, its psychological, physical and social impact on the lives of the women and children involved in it.
Through research results by a team of Tasintha (reformed) women who ere trained in simple research methodologies in January 1996 and staff, as well as personal accounts, the Programme highlights the:
· Consequences of inadequately or completely economically deprived women and children.
· The psychological and physical violence and trauma that characterises prostitution;
· Urgent need to create opportunities for these groups in order to save lives and improve their quality of life; and
· Establish, enact and enforce pro-life laws and policies that enhance and facilitate improved quality of life.