IMARISHA Year Three Q1 Quarterly Report: IMARISHA — Tanzania Economic Strengthening for Households Affected by AIDS

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by DAI. The program's primary goal is to improve the economic well-being of households affected by AIDS, with a focus on increasing their income and reducing their vulnerability to poverty. The program's technical area 1 focuses on increasing the capacity of PEPFAR implementing partners (IPS) to implement effective economic strengthening interventions. In the first two years of operations, IMARISHA has worked with a large number of partners to build their capacity, providing training, technical assistance, and experiential learning opportunities. The program has also promoted improved oversight of households engaged in economic strengthening through mentoring and supervision activities. IMARISHA's engagement with partners has been extensive, with the program providing multiple opportunities for learning and technical knowledge sharing. The program has leveraged a cascade model of training to multiply learning opportunities, whereby IMARISHA's specialist staff train partners and sub-partners, who then train their own staff and communities. This approach has enabled the program to reach a large number of households and communities, and has helped to build a strong network of partners and stakeholders. In terms of specific activities, IMARISHA has conducted due diligence on several finalist applications for grants, and has moved forward with three grantees: CADA, Cheetah Development Tanzania, and ELCT South Central Diocese. The program has also submitted and resubmitted approval requests for KIHUMBE and Africa Bridge, and has followed up on the status of these requests. Additionally, IMARISHA has conducted a monitoring visit of the Empowerment and Livelihoods for Adolescents (ELA) Program in Temeke, and has scheduled a third meeting with BRAC to discuss areas of concern and caution the grantee that if milestones are not met, the grant would be at risk for termination. IMARISHA has also undergone changes in its staffing structure, with the promotion of Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Khalid Mgaramo, to the role of Deputy Technical Director. In this new role, Mr. Mgaramo will be taking on additional management responsibility, including overseeing engagement of all IMARISHA's partnerships with PEPFAR partners and leading the implementation of IMARISHA's local government authorities pilot program. The program's quarterly report highlights several key deliverables, including the receipt of a modification for incremental funding, the establishment of a project staffing restructure plan, and the oversight of grants. The report also notes that two grant approval requests are pending USAID approval decisions, and that IMARISHA is following up on the status of these requests. Overall, IMARISHA's technical program is focused on building the capacity of PEPFAR implementing partners to implement effective economic strengthening interventions. The program has made significant progress in this area, and has established a strong network of partners and stakeholders. However, the program continues to face challenges, including delays in receiving funds and issues with grantee performance.