SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Dr Tulia Ackson, has called on Tanzanians to embrace a culture of offering both material and financial assistance for the needy, especially people with disabilities in the community, to help them sustain their lives.

Dr Tulia made the remarks over the weekend while handing over a house to the family of the late Obed Ambonisye, a physically disabled resident of Matema Ward in Kyela District, Mbeya Region.

She emphasised that people with special needs often struggle to meet basic necessities and require support from those who are more fortunate—a responsibility that many citizens fail to fulfill.

Upon learning of Ambonisye's difficult living conditions, Dr Tulia sent officials from her organisation, Tulia Trust, to visit him. After assessing his situation, they decided to begin constructing a house for him.

Dr Tulia noted that the house built for Ambonisye consists of four rooms, with all necessary facilities, including a special toilet for people with disabilities, to ensure he can live more comfortably.

“We’ve decided to announce our initiatives of assistance to encourage others to follow suit. We came here from Mbeya to help, but there are people here with no clothes to put on.  Why not donate to them?” Dr Tulia questioned.

She added that it has become her tradition to build homes for people living in challenging conditions as part of her campaign to improve housing for vulnerable individuals.

Kyela District Commissioner Josephine Manase expressed her gratitude to Dr Tulia for her support in improving the family’s living conditions, describing it as an example for others to follow.

She explained that when officials from Tulia Trust initially came to report to her office, she didn’t fully understand their intentions. However, once construction began, she realised the purpose and value of the initiative.

Manase highlighted that many people in the district face difficult circumstances and called on others with the means to help so that everyone can enjoy a better quality of life.

“We are deeply grateful because this family is among those living in difficulty conditions in our district. There are others in similar situations, but today you have planted a very good seed in their hearts,” said Josephine.

Kyela Member of Parliament, Ali Jumbe, popularly known as 'Kinanasi,' bought a television and decoder for the family to help them access information, promising to cover the subscription for a year.

Ambonisye expressed his heartfelt thanks to Dr Tulia for her support, explaining that he had been living in harsh conditions that made life difficult for him and his family.

He shared that during the rainy season, he struggled the most because the house he lived in leaked, making them impossible to sleep at night.

He also revealed that, while others prayed for rain to help their crops, he prayed for the rain to stop.