Marine conservation and Community Development

Community Development

DAMAX has worked extensively in the areas of health. A considerable proportion of our project portfolio is on reproductive and maternal health to both general population and adolescents, family planning, gender, maternal and child health, malaria, HIV/AIDS, clinical trials, nutrition, immunization, as well as across different functional areas of behavior change, health systems in the public and private sectors. 

Working with over 20 local and international organizations including the Ministry of Health, Presidents Office Regional Administration and Local Government, Ministry of Education, Private sector, and NGOs, DAMAX have been able to conduct research studies through evaluation and assessment. We employ both qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies. 

 Over 1800 house hold surveys were conducted of which questionnaires were administered to project beneficiaries and on qualitative, in-depth interviews were conducted to medical personnel in health facilities in Tanzania. 

According UNICEF, the poorest children, children with disabilities and children living in underserved communities are most vulnerable to dropping out of school or never going to school. Early marriage and pregnancy keep girls out of school. Adolescent pregnancy led to almost 3,700 girls dropping out of primary and secondary education in 2016. More than one third of all girls are married by the age of 18, but girls from poor families are twice more likely to be married early than girls from wealthier homes. 

DAMAX has worked with a number of organizations and education stakeholders to evaluate the projects implemented to contribute towards the nation’s goals for universal education, and specifically to ensure that girls realize their rights to safe, quality, gender-responsive education by improving the participation of adolescent girls in primary and secondary education.

We have conducted research studies to assess the integration and delivery of SRHR in the Tanzania education system, specifically for the primary and secondary aged children between 10 and 18 years old.  SRHR education in the school system is an acknowledged evidence-based intervention strategy to reach many young people at an early age, and thereby reducing risks of unprotected sexual behavior and consequently acquisition of STIs and early pregnancies.

The Tanzania national youth policy 2007 states, many youths are engaged in sectors of agriculture, fishing, mining, animal husbandry and small-scale industries like carpentry and black smith, petty businesses like selling second-hand clothes, fruits and various foodstuffs. Despite the fact that these youth are self-employed they face a lot of problems in implementing their activities. Such problems include the lack of working capital, equipment and technical knowhow or necessary skills.

DAMAX has the expertise mapping of Income Generating Activities among different marginalized groups of youth in rural and peri-urban areas in Tanzania mainland. The specific focus of the assessment is to identify the type of Income Generating Activities, Income and expenditure analysis, competition analysis, market analysis, financial and economic analysis, risk assessment and review of raw materials.

Most of the youth especially in the urban areas are involved in the informal sector. The youth have not been graduating into formal sector activities because of poor technologies, low productivity, poor working conditions and poor linkages with the formal sector. As a result, this has perpetually continued to increase income poverty amongst the youth.

However, Youth who are in the rural areas face difficult working environment which led to most of them to migrate to the urban areas hoping to have a better life. Poor infrastructures, inadequate social services have contributed to this Problem. This trend has increased social crimes and youth uncertainty in urban areas.

DAMAX Solutions has supported clients to evaluate the implemented project to address child trafficking for domestic labor to reduce child trafficking and unsafe migration through increased awareness on child trafficking and unsafe migration among children, families, communities and the private sector. We used a cross-sectional mixed methodology assessment, deploying both quantitative and qualitative methods. 

Quantitatively, structured interviews using questionnaires were conducted among caretakers and children who are vulnerable and victims of child trafficking and unsafe migration for domestic labor. Qualitatively, the evaluator utilized Focus Group Discussions (FGD), Key Informant Interview (KII) and In-Depth Interview (IDI) to gather data from law enforcers, project implementers, government workers and beneficiaries.

Working with youth, DAMAX have ample experience in recruiting and working with adolescents as project beneficiaries ensuring privacy and confidentiality, and research ethical considerations for minors are upheld.