About Us

Sunseed Tanzania Trust works with people in arid lands to improve the quality of their lives and environment and the productivity of their land.

UK Charity Registration No. 1061635
Tanzanian NGO No: 1350

Who We Are

Sunseed Tanzania Trust (STT) is a UK and Tanzanian Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) that has been working in the Dodoma region of Tanzania with poor rural communities to improve the quality of their lives and their environment through its Domestic Energy Programme (DEP) for over ten years. The DEP programme introduces fuel efficient stoves with chimneys into homes, and the agroforestry project creates nurseries and improved tree planting/management schemes. The IEP introduces industrial sized energy efficient stoves into local schools, supporting government initiatives to ensure children receive at least one hot meal per day.

STT is run by a board of volunteer trustees. It is supported by patrons and a network of friends. It has a permanent office in Dodoma currently staffed by five (three Tanzanians, including the senior project officer and one expatriate (the latter with a Masters degree in development and paid a local salary).  There are a minimum of three trustee visits to the programme each year. Trustees pay all their own expenses and take no remuneration for these visits. More than 90% of STT’s income is spent on STT projects in Tanzania. All the money gained from carbon off-setting will be invested in the programme and thus enable the DEP to benefit more poor families. 

STT works with the Dodoma Regional Administrative Secretary, District and Village Executives and the poor men, women and children living in the region. STT has a strong association with the Institute of Rural Development Planning (IRDP) which is located in Dodoma. The IRDP runs a BSc programme in rural development. For the last 4 years STT has provided six- week field placements for IRDP graduates. STT also works in close collaboration with the Community Development Department of Dodoma Municipality Council.

Why Sunseed Tanzania Trust Exists

In many arid and semi-arid areas of the world, people are increasingly living on marginal, poor quality land. Deforestation and soil degradation is accelerating as pressure on the fragile ecosystems of this land increases, and people are suffering much hardship. Technologies exist which could make the lives of people in arid lands easier while at the same time improving the environment.

However, they often do not reach those most in need, and are generally far too expensive for them to afford. To help bridge the gap between need and availability Sunseed Tanzania Trust is working to develop and spread low cost, appropriate new technologies and adaptations of existing technologies.