Social safety nets and poverty alleviation in Tanzania: the case of Chamwino district

This study analyzed the Social Safety Nets and Poverty Alleviation in Tanzania the case of Chamwino District. The main objective of the study was to examine the practices and potential of Social Safety Nets in enhancing livelihoods and income generating activities at individual households. More specific the study examined four aspects: the nature and operation of PSSN; the ability to access and afford basic human necessities; income generating activities of PSSN beneficiaries as well as problems of borrowing, envy and overall management of PSSN program. To achieve these objectives 80 beneficiaries’ households and 20 school pupils were sampled as respondents. Structured interview, observation and in-depth interviews were organized to compare and confirm the respondents’ responses. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) while qualitative data content analysis, memoing and transcription was deployed. Overall study finding revealed that PSSN is a non contributory social protection with CCTs, NCCTs and public works as main components. It is implemented in TASAF III following the great achievement in TASAF I and TASAF II. Over 100% of the household beneficiaries can access and afford health expenses after obtaining health insurance card to cover six members of the households after PSSN program intervention. Around 90% of school pupils have been well furnished with school basics; 76.25% household’s beneficiaries have invested in keeping livestock and a substantial part of sum bought grain. Beneficiaries trust to borrow has increased significantly and shortage of medicines forms part of the problems.