09 Mar 2016

The government launched the community service day initiative in 2010 to uplift disadvantaged communities as well as revive the spirit of compassion and contribute to sustainable development.

Each ministry or department was expected to set aside one day each month to give back to the community by doing something that would have a lasting impact in the community.
In Masunga, community service days have not been successful due to various challenges.

North East District Council senior public relations officer, Mr Caiphus Gabana said some departments were not dedicated to undertaking community service day activities.
He said it has lead to the failure of projects, noting that only a few managed to carry out projects that benefited diverse segments of the community and the needy in the past year.

He said among all government departments and other stakeholders in the district last year, the council managed to plant trees in different villages and donated a food basket to a needy person in Mbalambi whereas the Local Enterprise Authority also lent a helping hand to a needy person in Vukwi by fencing his yard and connecting a water tap.

He added that the Department of Wildlife and National Parks also donated food packages.
Mr Gabana further noted that they also had other good ideas, but failed to implement them due to financial constraints.

He said some civil servants were lagging behind with contributions when asked to take part in fundraising activities.
He also said with the few projects that they carried out,  the turn up of government departments was low, adding that people were not committed to carrying out the initiative.

In order to make the initiative a success, Mr Gabana said the district agreed to conduct community service days along with taking services to the people. He said they would now focus on conducting clean up campaigns in villages to take services to the people.

Even though community service days did not perform as planned, Mr Gabana noted that taking services to the people initiative has been doing well.
He added that various government and non-government departments participate.

He said they would be taking services to the people along with the community service day in early April, and that they were hoping for the full participation of all stakeholders.  Ends