About KIWAWAVITA
Empowering Deaf People Through Inclusive Agriculture
Tanzania Deaf Farmers and Livestock Keepers Centre (KIWAWAVITA) is a national non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering Deaf and hard-of-hearing people through modern agriculture, livestock keeping, beekeeping, research, practical training, innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic development partnerships.
We work to ensure that Deaf people have equal access to agricultural knowledge, productive resources, technology, markets and sustainable economic opportunities.
Our work is driven by the belief that agriculture can provide a practical pathway to employment, self-reliance, food security and long-term economic independence for Deaf people across Tanzania.
Inclusive Agriculture. Deaf Empowerment. Sustainable Development.
Our Story
KIWAWAVITA was founded by five Deaf members under the leadership of the Executive Chairperson, Mr Habibu Mrope, who is also a person with hearing disability.
The organization emerged in response to the social and economic challenges experienced by Deaf people in Tanzania, including limited employment opportunities, inadequate access to inclusive education and training, communication barriers, limited access to agricultural extension services, and insufficient access to productive resources and development opportunities.
Following consultations among the founding members, agriculture and livestock keeping were identified as practical ways of creating employment, increasing household income and strengthening economic independence among Deaf people.
From an Idea to a National Organization
In 2025, the group began a pilot farming initiative on approximately three hectares of land in Morogoro Region, where members planted maize and sunflower.
Despite limited technical training, insufficient agricultural inputs and challenging soil conditions, the initiative produced eight bags of crops.
The group later established another farming initiative in Mbeya Region, cultivating maize on approximately five hectares and harvesting twelve bags.