People with disabilities in the Temeke Municipal Council in Tanzania: Narratives of accessing soft loans

Resumo

In Tanzania, several initiatives aim to empower People with Disabilities (PwDs) to access soft loans, amounting to 2% of the local government annual revenue. However, some PwDs are unable to access loans due to procedures that subject them to poverty. Therefore, this study assessed the processes PwDs undergo to access 2% of the soft loan in the Temeke Municipal Council. The study used the Social Constructionism Theory as the framework for the phenomenological research design. The narratives were created by 18 informants: 14 PWDs who had received loans, 2 Social Welfare Officers by virtue of their positions, and 2 Community Development Officers involved in direct loan disbursement. The final sample size was determined by the principle of data saturation, which guided the narrative development. Data analysis was conducted using themes extracted from verbatim excerpts. A set of meanings was created, accompanied by narratives for each group, to establish the essence of lived experience. The findings demonstrate the inadequacy of institutional enforcement (i.e., Laws, rules, and regulations) in supporting PWDs' access to funds. Furthermore, the study reveals that PWDs can form groups as a condition for accessing funds; however, the lack of timely, accurate information to make informed decisions is the major barrier. The study concludes that the challenges the PwDs face are largely socially constructed and perpetuated by institutions through the enforcement of policies that disadvantage them. Conclusively, ending poverty and leaving no PwDs behind would depend on policymakers formulating strategies that foster an inclusive financial environment for PwDs, end discrimination in all forms, and establish regular process evaluations to enhance the overall accessibility and effectiveness of soft-loan lending.