Giving Warriors a Voice, Giving Families Hope

The Tanzania Sicklecell Warriors Organization (TASIWA) is a non-governmental organization based in Mwanza, Tanzania. Founded in 2016 by three women—two mothers of children living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and one Sickle Cell Warrior herself—TASIWA was established out of personal experience, compassion, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of people affected by the disease. The organization was officially registered in August 2019 under Tanzania’s Non-Governmental Organizations Act No. 24 of 2002, Revised Edition 2005, with a mandate to operate across Mainland Tanzania and its headquarters in Mwanza.

TASIWA is committed to improving the quality of life of people living with SCD and their families through education, public awareness, advocacy, prevention, and access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare. Our work focuses on promoting early screening, supporting effective disease management, providing guidance and counselling, strengthening psychosocial support, and empowering patients and caregivers with the knowledge and resources they need. We also work to challenge stigma, discrimination, and misconceptions surrounding SCD while promoting dignity, inclusion, and hope for affected families.

Since its establishment, TASIWA has continued to strengthen its role in SCD advocacy and awareness by mobilizing communities through outreach programmes that integrate education, awareness, and screening. Although these efforts have reached many communities across the Mwanza Region, the need for expanded interventions throughout Tanzania remains significant. Every year, thousands of children are born with SCD in Tanzania, underscoring the urgent need for increased awareness, early diagnosis, and improved access to appropriate care.

At TASIWA, we believe that education is a powerful tool in the fight against Sickle Cell Disease. By equipping individuals, families, and communities with accurate information, promoting informed reproductive decisions, and encouraging early screening and appropriate healthcare, we aim to reduce preventable suffering and contribute to a healthier future for generations to come. Our long-term vision is to break the sickle cell cycle and help build a sickle cell-free generation in Tanzania.