Taking Notes: Tanzania Training Report, February 2026

As part of DSI’s expansion, we’ve formed partnerships in multiple countries in Africa. In Tanzania, we’re working with The Karagwe Rural Development and Environmental Conservation Agency (KARUDECA). Together, we held our first training in February!

About the Training

DSI believes in training that responds to the needs of organizations and individuals. We created a small-scale pilot program that was held in Karagwe district over an intensive 3-day period, More than twenty teachers from ten schools learned practical strategies and crucial information about effectively addressing behavioral patterns that concern children with disabilities and their families, schools, and communities!

The training focused on the topic of behavior. Teachers often struggle to understand and manage the behavior of children with disabilities who might respond to classroom interactions and activities in unexpected or challenging ways. Our “Understanding and Addressing Behavior” training module teaches key concepts and strategies to help trainees: first, think critically about why different behaviors occur, and second, to be able to apply skills and knowledge to plan and effectively manage challenging behaviors.

Reach, Impact and Feedback

KARUDECA estimates the ongoing impact of this training will reach 800 teachers, directly benefitting 500 children with disabilities and more than 2,000 children without disabilities who share the same learning environments!

At the conclusion of the training, all trainees (100%) said they would feel very comfortable using the information and strategies they learned when they return to their work with children with disabilities. Quantitative pre- and post-survey data indicates strong improvement in all trainees' knowledge and skills.

Some trainees shared they “were making a lot of mistakes before”; they pledged to stop using corporal punishment, and they began sharing their new knowledge with colleagues in their schools the following week. Some teachers are also advocating for school principals and other leaders to participate in this training to change current mindsets and practices broadly.

The feedback from trainees demonstrates the importance and the immediacy of shifting what’s acceptable in the classroom. One participant reported, “This has brought a really meaning of inclusion.” Another trainee clearly plans to apply what they’ve learned, saying, “I enjoyed the way teacher presents the module and I get experience that disability children can learn without strong punishment like stick.”

Dr. Steven Revelian, founder and CEO of KARUDECA, praised the three days of training: “This is a training but this is also a learning session. It's so robust and very good! This training will change the way they interact with CWDs [children with disabilities] to manage their behaviors.

"Overall, the experience not only strengthened teachers’ knowledge and skills but also sparked a mindset shift toward more compassionate, informed, and inclusive practices in schools.”

What Happens Next?

DSI and KARUDECA are already planning the next steps, building on the success of the pilot program and expanding the reach of the training to meet the full goal of the training project. Following the successful completion of this project, we will broaden the scope of the training project to 800 teachers within the greater Kagera region.

Special thanks to Dr. Revelian for his leadership, time, and expertise - he translated DSI's training materials into Swahili in preparation for this training and to be shared far and wide in-country (and potentially with other Swahili-speaking populations in Africa too)!

You can help DSI and KARUDECA continue the training program. Donate to sponsor a training in Tanzania, or in any of the countries we’re working in. Our thanks to everyone who has helped make these trainings possible.

While financial support is necessary for training sessions to take place, DSI also welcomes skilled volunteers with expertise in program development, fundraising, social media, and more. There are lots of ways to get involved and help us improve the lives of children with disabilities around the world.