This years’ Innovation Week (May 21-26) promoted “Innovation into Action” and provided a platform for sharing innovations that make a positive impact in human development. This outstanding event, organized by Human Development Innovation Fund (HDIF), was held at the Tanzania Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH) Building in Dar es Salaam. The week was graced by dozens of innovators, including grantees of the Data for Local Impact Innovation Challenge (DLIIC), a project funded by MCC/PEPFAR.
Commenting on the event, the DLI Innovation Challenge Outreach and Engagement Manager, Mr. Collin Gumbu, said this years’ Innovation Week came at the right time when DLI has just launched the fourth challenge window, which focuses on solving community level problems with community level data.
“It was a fantastic platform for us to create awareness on our fourth challenge window as up until now, the window is still open for the applications. We are hoping with as many as possible outreach activities we will be able to receive lots of applications by the deadline, which is June 11th, 4pm East African Time,” said Mr. Collin.
Mr. Collin added: “Most of our challenge windows emphasize innovating data-driven solutions based on the challenges that exist in the communities. Our current window focuses on five areas namely: Teenage Pregnancy, Substance Abuse, Physical/Sexual Abuse, Early Childhood Development, and Youth and Data-Driven Solutions, and I believe that we will get many applications from today’s session here at Innovation Week 2018. It was indeed a great platform”.
During the DLI session, grantees from the first and second challenge windows had the opportunity to showcase their innovative solutions.
Speaking shortly after showcasing the progress of his solution, Mr. Mkata Nyoni, a DLI second challenge grantee, said his healthcare service delivery solution, called TANZMED, is at a great stage. He and his team are now focusing on creating awareness of their platform, which is both App and Web-based.
“We are at a stage where we need to massively advertise our solution, therefore, whenever we get the opportunity to showcase our project progress we don’t think twice in participating. Me and my team, we are very grateful to be invited by the DLI in this years’ Innovation Week, and we are looking forward for more opportunities like this one to spread our innovation so that people from all over the country can benefit,” said Nyoni.
Similarly, Mr. Josephat Mandara, a DLI first window grantee, also had the chance to present his Tausi Jukwaa solution, which is aims to solve menstrual hygiene challenges faced by adolescent girls and young women. Click here to view the Tausi Jukwaa use story.
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