WAMA Foundation under the guidance of Mama Salma Kikwete has successfully enrolled 600 women in the individual scheme of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) since its inception in December 2012.

Mama Kikwete said on Tuesday during the annual sherry party that the foundation had initiated, facilitated and linked women entrepreneur groups who are now able to access health services. "WAMA has continued to work on achieving its vision of Tanzanian women being empowered in order to live quality life.

"We have been supporting the formation of women groups and provide entrepreneurial skills as well as link women groups with service providers and partner networks," she said. The first lady said that WAMA has trained 420 women in food processing in collaboration with SIDO Tanzania and that the women were this year expected to utilize the knowledge acquired to widen their funding base.

She said that in 2013 WAMA looks forward to complimenting government's efforts in addressing the same to needy and underprivileged women and girls especially those who had not yet been reached. "To date 247 girls who are orphans or come from poor families have been enrolled in the WAMA Nakayama Secondary School.

This year 90 new students will join the school. "I am pleased that through the generous support from well wishers this year we will continue constructing six semi- detached staff houses for 12 families, two classrooms and two dormitories," she noted.

The Chairperson of the spouses of the Head of the Diplomatic Missions, Mrs Celine Mpango said that they had witnessed in 2012 an increase in the number of economically empowered women, progressive communities and healthy, well educated children, free from poverty and ignorance.

Mrs Mpango said that within WAMA's goals and objectives, the foundation had successfully achieved building girl's secondary schools and providing good standard of education as well as educational facilities.

"During the past year, you have stepped up women mobilisation efforts and developed standardised curricula and packages for WAMA economic empowerment initiative and also launched the first union of WAMA foundation village, savings and loans association with 700 members in 40 groups," she said.