ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
Sopadas is a French-named organization, which stands for "solidarite paysanne pour le development agricole et social" in French, and translates to "farmers solidarity for agricultural and social development" in English. It was founded on November 29, 2000, in a refugee camp called Lugufu I, in the Uvinza district of the Kigoma region in Tanzania, East Africa. The organization was created by Brother Mwibe Akili Issa Delphin in collaboration with two other brothers, Mr. Ngoy Asende Iddi Lotembo and Brother Lumumba Wilondja Pala Gabriel.
The organization is a union of small farmers who joined together under the idea from Brother Mwibe Akili Issa Delphin. It now has two officially registered branches located in Africa, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. After Brother Mwibe Akili Issa Delphin obtained permission to enter a third country, the United States of America, he began organizing work and reached out to register the organization to start work in the USA.
The vision of our organization is to empower and uplift vulnerable communities by providing them with the skills and strategies to overcome the challenges they encounter.
We aim to transform their lives by equipping them with the necessary tools to thrive in the face of adversity.
Our mission is to engage these communities in development groups, where they can come together to share ideas, knowledge, and collectively address the difficulties of their daily lives. By fostering a supportive environment for collaboration and problem-solving, we strive to create sustainable solutions and opportunities for growth within these communities. Through our efforts, we seek to enable individuals to not just survive, but to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.
The organization aims to empower communities through capacity building and the establishment of learning centers. It also actively participates in environmental conservation activities and conducts research and consultancies. In addition, it is dedicated to fighting against new HIV/AIDS infections, providing support to people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans, vulnerable children, dropout schools, widows, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Through these efforts, the organization strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need and to create a healthier and more sustainable future for the community.
The agricultural sector plays a vital role in our community, which is why our activities focus on improving the knowledge and skills of farmers and stakeholders. We encourage the cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock for commercial purposes, promoting sustainable development through tree planting activities. Our efforts also extend to restoring the natural environment, reducing pollution, and mitigating the impact of human activities on the land. Additionally, we provide adult education in various areas, empowering individuals to contribute to the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector. Through these activities, we strive to create a more environmentally conscious and economically viable agricultural community for future generations.
The program offers a range of skills training, including English language, computer skills, tailoring, and soap making, as well as technical skills for project creation. Participants have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss challenges and solutions related to development issues. The program also aims to bring together stakeholders from different sectors to network, share information, and exchange ideas.
Additionally, it focuses on preventing violence against women, girls, and young boys, as well as promoting equality between men and women in terms of opportunities and access to resources. Ultimately, the program aims to empower young girls and boys and address the challenges they face.
Our organization is dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of children, as well as improving the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. We also work towards improving the economic status of individuals and communities through entrepreneurship and other economic activities. In addition, we are committed to promoting human rights and peace through education and awareness-raising efforts. We also focus on improving the knowledge and skills of young people in areas such as reproductive health and sexuality, and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS while promoting prevention and treatment. Our holistic approach aims to create a better future for all, with a focus on the most vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Our organization is dedicated to promoting leisure and entertainment, including theater, music, choir, poetry, sports, and other activities. We also aim to improve the economic status of young people through entrepreneurship and other economic activities, as well as promote human rights and peace through education and awareness-raising. Additionally, we strive to promote cultural awareness, understanding, and exchange, while also addressing the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS and promoting their rights and well-being. Furthermore, we are committed to addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities and promoting their rights and well-being, as well as improving the economic status of vulnerable groups through entrepreneurship and other economic activities. Our organizational structure is designed to support these goals and initiatives.
The organizational structure includes farmers/ranchers, community economic development, sensitization education, vocation training and adult education, environment protection, child protection, women development, youth development project, and vulnerable protection.
Currently, all staff members do not receive salaries due to the financial situation of the organization. Efforts are being made to establish various methods for the staff to start earning a little income to meet the needs of their families. The organization has made significant progress in establishing itself in three countries - USA, Tanzania, and DR Congo. It is important for the staff to start earning salaries as they play a crucial role in developing the organization's plans and achieving its goals. Field experience is an integral part of the organization's work.
Sopadas has extensive experience in organizing internal meetings for a variety of projects. These include mobilization meetings for parents to track their children's educational progress, debate conferences to build problem-solving skills related to environmental issues, and vocational training to equip women and young people with skills for future employment. Additionally, the organization helps in creating independent groups for women and youth who have completed vocational training, and assists them in obtaining government loans for project development. Sopadas also participates in internal and external meetings with government and organizational bodies, highlighting the importance of their reports. All of these activities are funded through member contributions, which unfortunately do not fully meet the organization's needs.
Sopadas has remained independent, without receiving any subsidies or grants from governments or other organizations. Despite this, it continues to develop its plans for sustainability. Future plans include increasing the number of farms and livestock, providing creative students with skills and tools to start their own projects after completing their studies, offering technical training to rural farmers for self-employment, opening new branches for all citizens, and finding sponsors to support projects and pay the organization's employees.
