Tengeru Cultural Tourism Programme

provide enjoyable tours and unforgettable experiences for memories back home � �. Mama Gladness was a Tengerus poultry farmer and depended on the crops for many years. In 1998 MS-TCDT,a Danish NGO (non – government organization), brought the first volunteers to Tengerus Community. Baba john, one of the many volunteers that helped, suggested to Mama Gladness to start up a camping site for tourist w

ithin the community. Tanzania’s future seemed peaceful and a good place for many tourist and volunteers to come. Without knowing how to begin Mama Gladness went to visit this uncle, who had a Tourism school in search of some advice and guidance. Although he didn’t encourage Mama Gladness to continue with the project, explaining that clients would not camp in a place full of cows and chickens, she continued asking for advice from different relatives and tour operators. After different recommendations and some research of her own, Kabendera- a tour agent- was valued Mama Gladness’ idea to start up a Cultural Programmer that could help the community. However, world’s peace was disrupted and tourism declined for some time. After many disappointments and rejections Mama’S heart was set on continuing with the project. Without receiving any help from anyone, she decided to start the project on her own with her son lema. After writing and printing a brochure they went to the Tanzania Tourist Board office to join the Tourist Board’s Culture programmer. TTB suggested to go to SNV,an international development organization that introduced them to go to TACTO (Tanzanian Cultural Organization) where unfortunately, once again they were denied any help. Mama Gladness’ perseverance took her to summon the local leader to a meeting in which Kabendera, the tour agent, was going to explain to the community the benefits of creating a cultural and it wasn’t until 2004 that TTB (Tanzanian Tourist Board) accepted her programme. After several mouths and a hard struggle to gather money to improve and print the brochure, they finally delivered it to board. TTB was impressed with her work and to date she is supported by this board to improve her ideas. The Minister of the parliament and the Ambassador of Poland have also assisted to Tengeru’s Culture programme. At present, different clients are send by SNV and TTB to enjoy a taste of local life. Information has sent out to different places and tourist around the world are being part of what is now known as Tengerus Cultural Programme. This programmer is dedicated today to directly help the the community. The money the received is tax free and is distributed among different areas within the community, such as orphanages, helping people with HIV, school, etc. it is also in this community where the Green Foundation was formed, with the same interest of helping the people.