In the rural landscapes of Biharamulo District in the Kagera Region of Tanzania, PALES (Participatory Livelihoods Improvement, Ecology and Sanitation) — also known as MasterPeace Club–Tanzania — is creating pathways for community-driven transformation. As a community-based organization, PALES works at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, women’s empowerment, and environmental protection. Its mission is rooted in participatory, climate-smart, and locally led approaches that strengthen smallholder farmers and amplify the voices of women and youth. Through its initiatives, the organization nurtures resilient livelihoods while promoting peaceful, inclusive communities built on dignity and opportunity.
One of the projects PALES is most proud of this year is a pilot digital learning initiative implemented in partnership with SIMA Academy. Through this collaboration, the organization introduced short, thought-provoking films from the SIMA Academy platform to community learners. These films focused on key social, environmental, and livelihood-related themes relevant to daily life in rural Tanzania.
The idea behind the project emerged from a clear and pressing need. Many rural learners — particularly women and young people — have limited access to engaging, high-quality educational content. Traditional training sessions, while valuable, often rely heavily on lectures and may struggle to sustain attention or spark deep discussion. PALES recognized that learning needed to be more interactive, relatable, and inspiring.
By screening culturally relevant films and facilitating guided discussions afterward, the initiative transformed passive viewing into active learning. The films served as conversation starters, encouraging participants to reflect on their own realities, question assumptions, and explore new ideas. In community halls and shared spaces, learners gathered not only to watch but to exchange perspectives, share personal experiences, and collectively identify solutions. The approach proved to be low-cost and accessible, yet highly impactful in stimulating critical awareness and community-led dialogue.
Beyond digital learning, PALES’ broader programs continue to touch lives in tangible ways. One powerful example is the story of Jonesia Bahati, a smallholder farmer and mother from Biharamulo District. For years, repeated malaria episodes kept her family trapped in cycles of illness, medical expenses, and lost productivity. Each malaria season brought fear and financial strain.
Her turning point came when she joined PALES’ Artemisia project. Through hands-on training, she learned how to cultivate Artemisia on her own farm and prepare Artemisia tea safely for malaria prevention and early response. This knowledge reduced the frequency of clinic visits and treatment costs, giving her greater control over her family’s health.
“Before this training, malaria was something we feared every season,” Jonesia shared. “Now I feel confident because I understand how to use Artemisia from my own farm to protect my family. I spend less money on medicine and more time working on my farm.”
The benefits extended far beyond improved health. With renewed confidence, Jonesia began sharing her knowledge with other women in her village. She became a peer educator, helping normalize affordable, community-based health solutions rooted in local knowledge. Her journey reflects the essence of PALES’ work: empowerment that starts with practical skills but grows into leadership and collective resilience.
As MasterPeace Club–Tanzania, PALES sees its local efforts as part of something much larger. The organization is deeply connected to the global MasterPeace network through shared values of nonviolence, community-led action, and creative approaches to social change. While their work is firmly rooted in Biharamulo — supporting smallholder farmers, empowering women, and protecting the environment — they know they are contributing to a global movement that believes peace is built through dignity, opportunity, and collaboration.
Exchanging stories, tools, and lessons with other MasterPeace clubs reinforces this sense of belonging. It is a reminder that local challenges are often shared across borders, and that solutions developed in one community can inspire action in another. When connected, grassroots initiatives gain greater strength and visibility, transforming local change into global impact.
Looking ahead, PALES envisions communities that are self-reliant, peaceful, and proud stewards of their land. They dream of women and youth confidently leading sustainable agriculture, protecting natural resources, and shaping local solutions. They see smallholder farmers thriving through climate-smart practices, knowledge flowing across generations, and grassroots innovation influencing broader systems of change.
Above all, their message remains clear: real transformation begins at the community level. When local action is nurtured, supported, and connected to global solidarity, lasting peace and sustainability become possible.
This story is part of the MasterPeace Impact Series where we share why people join, why they stay, and how change grows through connection.