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At Ability First Tanzania (AFTA), we are dedicated to implementing evidence-based environmental conservation initiatives that deliver measurable impact for communities and policymakers. One of our flagship projects in this area is WeatherApp, a mobile application developed in collaboration with Ardhi University to strengthen climate resilience across Tanzania.
WeatherApp: Enabling Climate-Smart Decision Making
WeatherApp provides real-time weather information, flood forecasting, and drought monitoring, with a special focus on Dar es Salaam (flood-prone areas) and Dodoma (drought-prone regions).
Core Features Include:
- Live weather updates for timely, localized decision-making
- Interactive maps highlighting flood risk zones, rainfall, potential flood conditions, and drought monitoring.
- Dynamic charts showing river discharge, temperature, precipitation, humidity, sunshine duration, and wind speed.
Dar es Salaam region Interactive map showing areas with potential floods.
Dar es Salaam region Interactive map showing areas with rainfall in real-time.
Interactive map showing areas with drought conditions in Dodoma region.
General Weather forecast page with user interactive features
Project Leadership and Team
WeatherApp was conceptualized and developed by a multi-disciplinary team with extensive expertise in geospatial sciences, climate change, and IT:
- Dr. Anastazia Msusa – Geospatial Sciences & Climate Change
- Dr. Dorothea Deus – Geospatial Sciences & Climate Change
- Mr. Octavian Nyalali – IT Developer and Chairperson, AFTA
The contribution of other Ardhi University researchers ensured scientific rigor, data quality, and community relevance, reinforcing the app’s credibility as a research-backed climate tool.
Strategic Partnerships and Support
We extend our sincere appreciation to Ardhi University for their technical support and collaboration, and to the project funders, particularly USAID through the Climate Adaptation Research Program (CARP), whose vision, mentorship, and financial support enabled the successful implementation of this initiative.
This partnership exemplifies how NGOs, academic institutions, and supporters/funders can jointly create innovative solutions with real-world impact.
Scientific Recognition
The research and development of WeatherApp have been formally recognized in international scientific literature. The project is published in the ISPRS Archives, underscoring its contribution to environmental conservation and scientific research in Tanzania.
Looking Forward
WeatherApp represents a strategic advancement in AFTA’s environmental conservation portfolio. We plan to expand its reach across Tanzania, integrating additional climate monitoring features and supporting evidence-based policy and community decision-making.
We thank our team, Ardhi University experts, and funders for making this project possible. Together, we are demonstrating that innovation, collaboration, and science can drive meaningful environmental impact and strengthen Tanzania’s climate resilience.
A hand pedaled trike is one of the most common used assistive
device for enhancing personal mobility. It assists persons with mobility
difficulties to become more participatory in the community, ensures access to
education, better health and quality life. However it enables them to live full
and active lives in their communities.
In this project we produced a hand pedaled trike that is an improved version of
the basic HWI Dual Offset Tube Trike (DOTT-CC) designed, researched by "His
Wheels International", in the US. The trike underwent a multi-disciplinary
approach research and development by a team of engineers, nurses, orthopedic
surgeons, general surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, kinesiologists,
quality inspectors, the end users and others.
We designed this trike from scratch to suit our local environment hence, it has
unique features compared to other common used trikes in our country. It"s design
and production based on raw materials that were easily available in our local
markets and affordable hence, low production and maintenance costs. It"s physical
make-up provides most efficient interaction between the trike and the rider. The
model is highly maneuverable as it can nearly pivot around the real wheel and uses
direct-drive front wheel equipped with with latest technology drum brakes and
parking brake at the real wheel for more safety when transferring in and out of
the seat.
Other features included small size and weight, side mirrors, mud guards, removable
roof to provide shade and protection to the rider in case of hot sun, rain or other
dangers. It has a luggage rack/carrier, flexible arm rests, chain guards, crutch
holders, safety reflectors, small carriage/wagon towing ability, solar electricity
to supply power for different uses such as powering headlights at night and small
electric devices.
The project intent is to empower people living with physical (mobility) disabilities
especially adolescents and youth, so as to enable them to easily access health,
educational and economical services within their communities.
Pictorial demonstration of local production of the hand pedaled trike at different stages.
