Country: Tanzania

Area of focus: Missungwi, Mwanza region

MRHP (Mwanza Rural Housing and Food Security Programme) is a great outfit that has been operating in Tanzania for 17 years. It trains villagers in northern Tanzania to set up enterprises making high-quality bricks from local clay fired with agricultural residues. These enterprises have made sufficient bricks to construct over 100,000 homes and greatly improved comfort and durability in 70 villages. 

The COINS Foundation and MRHP are now working a long term partnership to continue this great work. MRHP began their Brick Production Project in 2009 – this is a 3 year project that aims to build a brick production site with a training facility which will also become a commercial enterprise, aiming to generate profits of TSh50 million net (about £26, 847,600). We have a shared vision of community development and sustainability; working together on this 3 year project plan the aim is

MRHP owns a 7 ton FUSO truck that is currently out of action. Our first step is to fund the road tax, insurance and essential repairs. The truck is vital to the success of the Project. It will be able to relocate two large sheds from Mwanza City to the kiln site in Missungwi as well as building up stockpiles of rice husks, transporting machinery and man power on a regular basis.

How is this truck remobilisation sustainable? 

In the first instance the truck, once remobilized is instrumental for MRHP and the enterprises - the truck will significantly reduce costs of soil transport and brick distribution area and therefore increase profits. Secondly it will also be able to sustain itself through hire to local businesses on an occasional basis.

We are excited by the partnership prospects that MRHP holds.