Pamoja Project
Since 2019, we employ the use of stories though 3D animation videos to create awareness about the challenges that affect people with disabilities in order to decrease negative attitude and stigma towards people living with disabilities in Tanzania
Project status: On going
The issue we addressing
The Tanzanian education system promotes, develop all individuals’ potentials and personalities; to do so this the Tanzanian government likewise implemented “The Education and Training Policy” in 2014, which ensures free universal education (Martinez, 2017). Nevertheless, studies of students with disabilities in Tanzania indicate the urgent need for new initiatives to destroy the barriers which hinder education opportunities for children with disabilities.
According to the national study of persons with disabilities in Tanzania (Tanzania 2008 Disability Survey), 13.2% of all Tanzanian households have at least one member with a disability (Tanzania 2008 Disability Survey) and more than 4.2 million people in Tanzania live with a disability (CCBRT.org). Persons with disabilities are more likely to end up suffering from illiteracy, with about half (47.6%) of the population over 15 years of age living with a disability being illiterate.
There are several reasons behind the low school attendance amongst persons with disabilities. One of the biggest challenges is activity limitations caused by the disability. This is often caused by inadequate physical environments, such as the inappropriate design of school buildings which limits the ability to take part in activities. Many students face difficulty when it comes to learning materials because most schools do not have the necessary materials for students with disabilities (Mkumbo, 2008).
Children with disabilities often experience stigma and discrimination both in school from other students and from the surrounding community (Martinez, 2017). Because of the stigma, many disabled children are hidden away by their families and never enrolled in school.
Our approach
By creating community dialogue, the Pamoja Project aims to reduce negative attitude, stereotype, and stigma that people with disabilities face, using 3D animations.
To address the many challenges people with disabilities face, Tai recognizes the unique value of using storytelling as a development method because it is known to be a successful tool to create social behavioral change! 3D animation films are a particularly useful tool for the development field because of their ability to create engagement, address sensitive topics, and deliver complex ideas.
Tai Tanzania aims to secure recognition and reflection from the viewers, each episode is based on stories and issues highlighted and given from people with disabilities themselves, reflecting five different disabilities: blindness, albinism, deafness, physical impairment, and mental disabilities. Each episode will revolve around a specific disability and reflect challenges and stigmas related to that disability. The project is based on human-centered design (HCD), which is a method used to develop solutions to problems with the involvement of human perspectives in the problem-solving process.
The goal is to work closely in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the United Nations: SDGs 1 and 4 focus specifically on issues related to people with disabilities. SDG 4 focuses on quality education which aims to secure inclusive education for all, including students with disabilities, and SDG 1 focuses on the connection between poverty and disability.
Video Content
We use 3D animation as an edutainment means, to engage the community.
Story collection
We collect testimony from people with disabilities to give visibility on the challenges they face.
Dissemination
We share our videos to disseminate educational materials to the community, so as to reduce negative stereotypes and stigmas
Implementation
Through facilitating community dialogues, Tai Tanzania aim to secure recognition and reflection from the viewers, each episode is based on stories and issues highlighted and given from people with disabilities themselves, reflecting five different disabilities: blindness, albinism, deafness, physical impairment, and mental disabilities.
Each episode will revolve around a specific disability and reflect challenges and stigmas related to that disability. The project is based on the human-centered design (HCD), which is a method used to develop solutions to problems with the involvement of human perspectives in the problem-solving process.
The goal is to work closely in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by the United Nations: SDGs 1 and 4 focus specifically on issues related to people with disabilities. SDG 4 focuses on quality education which aims to secure inclusive education for all, including students with disabilities, and SDG 1 focuses on the connection between poverty and disability.
Our 3D animation films are a particularly useful tool for the development field because of their ability to create engagement, address sensitive topics, and deliver complex ideas.