Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Friday, 18 October 2024 — Absa Bank Tanzania has committed TZS 25 million to the Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Vocational Training Workplace Inclusion Now (WIN) Project, helping to create sustainable employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. This significant initiative directly supports individuals with conditions such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and other developmental challenges, empowering them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
The TZS 25,458,000 raised by Absa Bank Tanzania includes TZS 15,458,000 in contributions from the bank’s staff, alongside TZS 10,000,000 from its citizenship account. This financial support has been used to purchase essential equipment for SALT’s social enterprises—SALT Supermarket and SALT Bakery—including a soap-making machine, dough-making machine, washing machine, deep freezer, and shelving. These resources will help enhance the vocational training programs and provide critical infrastructure for the production and sale of goods created by SALT participants.
This initiative will provide immediate employment to 22 individuals with developmental disabilities, giving them an opportunity to integrate into the workforce. The SALT Supermarket and Bakery will also serve as platforms for the sale of products made by the center’s participants, creating a sustainable income stream that will allow SALT to support even more individuals with developmental challenges in the future.
Speaking about the partnership, Irene Sengati, Absa Bank Tanzania’s Director of Legal and Compliance, said, “At Absa, we believe in the power of stories, and that every story matters. Our involvement with SALT reflects our commitment to ‘Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time.’ By supporting this project, we are not just contributing financially, but helping to change the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, giving them the opportunity to realize their potential through meaningful work and vocational training. This initiative truly embodies our brand promise: ‘Your story matters.’”
The partnership with SALT aligns with Absa Bank Tanzania’s broader strategic focus on shared value, particularly through its pillars of Education and Skills Development and Financial Inclusion. The bank is committed to fostering employability through vocational training and ensuring inclusive access to financial services, all while supporting economic growth and social justice in the communities it serves.
Ms. Rebeca Lebi, Executive Director of SALT, expressed her gratitude, noting, “We believe that every person with a disability possesses unique talents that, when nurtured through vocational training, can lead to significant personal and professional achievements. Our mission is to eliminate stereotypes by promoting workplace inclusion and providing a safe, secure, and enriching learning environment for all.”
This partnership is a testament to Absa Bank Tanzania’s ongoing commitment to driving positive societal change, reflecting the bank’s purpose to empower communities and shape Africa’s future through meaningful actions.
