IMARISHA Year Two Q1 Quarterly Report

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by DAI. The program's core mandate is to build the capacity of PEPFAR implementing partners to improve the quality and effectiveness of economic strengthening interventions for HIV vulnerable households. In Year 2, Quarter 1, IMARISHA continued to focus on building the capacity of PEPFAR implementing partners. The program expanded its formal partnerships to include Pathfinder International, which works in Dar es Salaam and Shinyanga. IMARISHA expects that the bulk of the work with Pathfinder will happen in Quarter 4 and beyond due to its funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pathfinder submitted a continuation application with CDC for FY 2013, including an intensified and expanded savings program for its beneficiaries in line with recommendations provided by IMARISHA from the Household Economic Assessment. IMARISHA also had conversations with Pact and FHI 360 ROADS about more intensified collaboration. However, the program experienced some challenges with its sub-partner Africare in implementing planned courses. Africare cancelled three planned courses with IMARISHA on three separate occasions, citing internal communication problems and lack of coordination with field offices. IMARISHA's technical team worked closely with partners to identify and administer training and technical assistance to move new interventions forward. The program is now more integrated and connected to numerous PEPFAR partners to expand the quality and effectiveness of its economic strengthening strategies. In Year 2, IMARISHA's work will focus on building more and stronger strategic partnerships, rolling out practical, hands-on training/training of trainers (TOTs), providing mentoring to training recipients, providing specialized and tailored technical assistance, and sharing new innovations and ideas through exposure visits both within and outside of Tanzania. The program's work plan was developed and submitted on February 1, 2012, and received approval on February 17, 2012. IMARISHA launched its grants facility and held road show meetings in each of the seven regions in which the project operates to introduce the IMARISHA Innovation Fund and explain the application process. By February 3, IMARISHA had received 132 concept notes for economic strengthening interventions, which was reduced to 19 for full proposal submission. However, no grants had been administered by the end of March 2012, pending due diligence. IMARISHA's Director of Finance and Administration, Krystal Friesth, began work with the project on January 2, 2012. The program hired a new project driver and began recruitment for a Grants and Procurement Officer. However, the Grants and Procurement Officer has not been hired to date. The program's work on the IMARISHA Innovation Fund is ongoing, with 19 full proposals submitted for review.