from left Hon. Fatma A. Mwassa (Tabora Regional Commissioner), Ms. Chansa Kapaya (Acting Representative of UNHCR) and H.E. Mr. Masak...
from left Hon. Fatma A. Mwassa
(Tabora Regional Commissioner), Ms. Chansa Kapaya (Acting Representative of
UNHCR) and H.E. Mr. Masaki Okada (Ambassador of Japan) in the newly-built
classroom
|
The Regional Commissioner Honourable Ms. Fatma A. Mwassa inaugurated the
extension of Ulyankulu Secondary School on Thursday 2nd of August, 2012 in
Urambo District, Tabora Region. The extension project was funded by the
Japanese Government through UNHCR with the aim of providing a more conducive
learning environment for former Burundian refugees, now commonly referred to as
Newly Naturalised Tanzanians (NNTs) and local Tanzanian students in the
District.
Japanese assistance to Mpanda and Ulyankulu Districts including the
extension of the Ulyankulu Secondary School was funded as a part of the
country’s financial support to the UNHCR operations in Northwest Tanzania,
contributing a total of 6 million USD, equivalent to around 9 billion Tanzanian
Shillings, since the year 2008. The extension includes nine classrooms, two pit
latrine blocks and three water reserve tanks and will bring relief to the now
congested facility.
Ulyankulu Secondary School is the
only one in the settlement currently enrolling new students, while the two
other secondary schools have stopped, pending a final decision from the
Government on the modalities of the NNTs Local Integration. Nearly 1000
students, both NNTs and Tanzanians, will now be able to enjoy the new fully
furnished classrooms.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Regional Commissioner of
Tabora Region Hon. Fatma A. Mwassa expressed her gratitude to the Government of
Japan and UNHCR for their commitment towards promoting the development of
social services in Tabora Region. She also encouraged the NNTs to continue to
be patient as the Government’s view is for them to live happily and in harmony,
and she anticipates the decision will be issued soon.
Representing the students of Ulyankulu Secondary School, Alex G., a form
3 student, delivered his vote of thanks, stressing that the support to the
school has given the students a conducive environment for studying. He promised
that they will make use of this opportunity to study hard and strive for
excellence and make sure that the buildings and furniture are going to last as
anticipated.
(from left) Ms. Chansa Kapaya
(Acting Representative of UNHCR) and H.E. Mr. Masaki Okada (Ambassador of
Japan) and Hon. Fatma A. Mwassa (Tabora Regional Commissioner).
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The UNHCR Acting Representative Ms. Chansa Kapaya in her remarks reminded
the context of this inauguration. She explained that subsequent to the
Government of Tanzania’s announcement in 2010 of its intention to provide
citizenship to more than 162,000 Burundian refugees, donor countries, including
the Government of Japan committed to providing financial support for the local
integration process through UNHCR in Tabora and now Katavi region in order to
pave the way and facilitate the local integration process. She further stated
that providing access to education in a safe and adequate environment is a
priority for UNHCR, and that counting on the ongoing support of donors in this
regards is of utter importance.
On his side, the Japanese Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Mr. Masaki Okada
acknowledged the exceptional generosity of the Government of Tanzania to have
granted naturalization to those former Burundian refugees, as well as the
commitment by the local government and people of Tabora, who have been
accommodating and supporting the Burundian population for 40 years. Moreover,
touching upon the uncertain situation that the NNTs are currently facing with
their reintegration plan, he expressed his wish that by tightened cooperation
between the Government of Tanzania and UNHCR, and more importantly through a
thorough dialogue with the NNTs, the uncertainty of their future is removed as
soon as possible.
The event which took place at the Ulyankulu Secondary School was also
attended by other government officials from Urambo and Kaliua Districts.
Hii ndifo hutuba ya kiswahili ya balozi wa Japan
from left Hon. Fatma A. Mwassa
(Tabora Regional Commissioner), Ms. Chansa Kapaya (Acting Representative of
UNHCR) and H.E. Mr. Masaki Okada (Ambassador of Japan) in the newly-built
classroom
(from left) Ms. Chansa Kapaya
(Acting Representative of UNHCR) and H.E. Mr. Masaki Okada (Ambassador of
Japan) and Hon. Fatma A. Mwassa (Tabora Regional Commissioner).
HOTUBA
YA MHESHIMIWA MASAKI OKADA, BALOZI WA JAPANI
KATIKA
SHEREHE YA UFUNGUZI WA MRADI WA UPANUZI WA MAJENGO
YA
SHULE YA SEKONDARI YA ULYANKULU
YALIYOFADHILIWA
NA SERIKALI YA JAPANI
TAREHE
2 AGOSTI 2012,
WILAYANI
KALIUA, TABORA
Ni
heshima kubwa sana kwangu mimi, kwa niaba ya Serikali naWatu wa
Japani,
kupata hii nafasi leo ya kufungua majengo ambayo ni upanuzi wa shule ya
sekondari
ya Ulyankulu.
Kwa
miaka kadhaa nyuma, Serikali ya Japani imekuwa ikifadhili shughuli za
Shirika
la UNHCR kaskazini magharibi mwa Tanzania, ikichangia jumla ya Dola za
Kimarekani
milioni sita (6), ni karibu sawasawa na shilingi bilioni tisa (9) za
Kitanzania,
tangu mwaka elfu mbili na nane (2008). Ufunguzi wa leo ni matokeo ya
sehemu
ya mpango wa shirika hili la UNHCR ambao tumekuwa tukiufadhili.
Nimefurahi
kushuhudia kuwa mradi umefanikiwa kuboresha mazingira ya
kujifunzia
kwa wanafunzi wa Shule ya Sekondari ya Ulyankulu kwa kuongeza
madarasa
mapya tisa (9) ambayo yapo mbele yetu, ambayo yatanufaisha watoto
wote
kutoka kwenye makazi ya Ulyankulu na jamii zinazoizunguka.
Ninapenda
kuchukua nafasi hii, nizungumzie kidogo kuhusu mwelekeo wa
baadhi
ya shughuli za nchi yetu Mkoani Tabora na hasa Ulyankulu. Ubalozi wa
Japani
umetekeleza mradi wa kuchimba visima Ulyankuru miaka kumi na tano (15)
iliyopita,
hivi karibuni, baadhi yenu mnaweza kukumbuka kwamba mwezi Februari
mwaka
elfu mbili na kumi (2010), Mtanzania aliyekuwa mkimbiaji wa mbio za
marathoni,
Juma Ikangaa, wakimbiaji wawili wa mbio za Marathoni wa Kijapani, na
Kikundi
cha wanafunzi wa Kijapani walitembelea Ulyankulu na kuandaa
mashindano
ya mbio za marathoni pamoja na wenyeji wa hapa. Katika Mkoa wa
Tabora,
Ubalozi wetu umejenga hosteli ya wasichana na zahanati katika Mkoa huu.
Mashirika
mengi yasiyokuwa ya kiserikali ya Kijapani na makampini ya kibiashara
yamechangia
katika Mpango wa Milenia wa Kijiji (Millennium Village Initiative)
katika
Kijiji cha Milenia cha Mbola. Zaidi ya hayo, mazao ya biashara yanayolimwa
Tabora,
kama vile majani ya tumbaku na mbegu za ufuta, ndiyo bidhaa kubwa
inayosafirishwa
kutoka Tanzania kwenda Japani. Kwa kuongezea, hivi sasa, kuna
mradi
wa uwekezaji unaoandaliwa wa utengenezaji wa vitambaa vya nguo kwa
kutumia
pamba ya hapa hapa nchini. Ninatumaini kwamba, kutokana na shughuli
zote
hizi za kiserikali na kibiashara, tutaweza kuchangia kuboresha hali ya maisha
katika
mkoa huu.
Mabibi
na Mabwana,
Ninapenda
kuutambua ukarimu wa kipekee wa Serikali ya Tanzania ambayo
imewapa
uraia karibu raia Watanzania wapya laki moja na sabini elfu (170,000) hali
kadhalika
na kujitolea kwa serikali ya Mkoa wa Tabora na watu wake, ambao
wamekuwa
wakiwapa makazi na kuwasaidia Waburundi kwa miaka arubaini (40).
Miongoni
mwa mazingira ambayo raia Watanzania wapya sasa hivi
wanakumbana
nayo ni mpango wa baadaye wa maisha yao. Ni matamanio yangu ya
kweli
kwamba kwa kuimarisha ushirikiano kati ya Serikali ya Tanzania na Shirika la
UNHCR,
na muhimu zaidi kwa njia ya mazungumzo na raia Watanzania wapya,
mashaka
ya maisha yao ya baadaye yanaondolewa haraka iwezekanavyo. Uwazi wa
matarajio
yao ya baadae, ninaamini, ndicho kitu muhimu katika kutengeneza
mazingira
ya kufaa kwa wanafunzi.
Mabibi
na Mabwana,
Zaidi
ya hayo, ninapenda kutoa shukrani zangu kwa ukaribisho mliotupatia
hapa
Ulyankulu. Nilipata nafasi ya kutembelea makazi ya Katumba wakati wa ziara
ya
mabalozi iliyoandaliwa na UNHCRMei mwaka huu, na kupata uzoefu mkubwa
kwa
kuona kwa macho yangu maisha ya raia Watanzania wapya na kuzungumza
nao
ambapo walitoa maoni yao kuhusu mazingira na hali yao ya baadae. Natarajia
kufahamiana
zaidi na wakazi wa Ulyankulu mara hii, ambapo kwa hakika
kutapanua
zaidi uelewa wangu wa ukweli wa “Makazi ya Zamani”.
Kabla
ya kumaliza maelezo yangu, ningependa kutoa heshima zangu kwa
kwa
wafanyakazi wa Shirika la UNHCR Tanzania, Serikali kuu na Halmashauri
ambao
wapo hapa leo, hali kadhalia wenzao ambao wapo kwenye kazi za nje, kwa
juhudi
zao endelevu za kuleta suluhisho la kudumu kwa watu wa eneo hili. Wakati
tukitumaini
kuendelea kwa mafanikio ya juhudi hizi, ninaitamani siku moja ambapo
hakutahitajika
tena misaada ya nje na watu wataweza kuwa na maisha yao wenyewe
yenye
matarajio mazuri kwa siku za baadae.
Asanteni sana kwa
kunisikiliza.
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