MRHP (Mwanza Rural Housing Programme) was
initiated in 1990 with the main aim of supporting the rural
population the Mwanza region to improve their housing
conditions.
MRHP assists the local population in improving quality of life
through several different projects including: agricultural
development, low-cost housing options, and a Savings and
Credit scheme providing micro-loans to local groups and
individuals.
The programme started as a government project. It became an
autonomous local NGO in 1995 having double registration, i.e.
first as an Association, then additionally as a Trust Fund. MRHP has a
professional staff of 16. MRHP assists the rural population in
improved housing, food security and housing finance through
establishment and support of micro-economic activities.
MRHP has worked with rural farmers in the villages of the
Missungwi District in an attempt to improve their habitat and
housing conditions. The organization has received funds for
the low-cost housing program from VECO-COOPIBO (a Belgian NGO)
and Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO)
based in Zeist, Netherlands.
MRHP decided to look further into the possibility of assisting
farmers to raise their agricultural production so that they
can also get cash to finance housing. MRHP entered a
partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Through PRA
and Project Planning processes, the Agricultural Development
Project was initiated in the year 2000.
