Simon Meela
Project Officer
Mnyuzi AP - Korogwe, Tanga
Simon Meela is a dedicated Community Development Professional with experience in designing, coordinating, and implementing community-driven development initiatives that improve rural livelihoods and strengthen community resilience. His work focuses on food and nutrition security, economic empowerment, sustainable agriculture, livestock development, and capacity building, with a strong commitment to ensuring that local communities are at the centre of development processes.
Through his work with RECODA (Research, Community and Organizational Development Associates) and other development initiatives, Simon collaborates closely with farmers, women, youth, community groups, and local stakeholders to translate development ideas into practical solutions that create lasting and meaningful change.
Key Experience and Projects
Poultry Mother Unit (PMU) Initiative | Current Role
Simon coordinates the Poultry Mother Unit initiative, which promotes household economic empowerment, improved nutrition, and sustainable poultry production. The initiative supports community members, particularly women and youth, to brood and raise healthy chicks under appropriate biosecurity and management practices before distributing them to farming households. This approach strengthens local poultry value chains, creates income-generating opportunities, and contributes to improved household access to nutritious food.
Farmer Research Network (FRN) Project | Singida
Simon worked closely with smallholder farmers to strengthen their capacity to conduct and participate in farm-level research. The initiative brought together scientific knowledge and farmers’ indigenous knowledge and experience, enabling communities to identify suitable and resilient crop varieties, test improved farming practices, and adopt climate-smart and sustainable agricultural approaches aimed at improving productivity and resilience.
Boresha Lishe (Nutrition Improvement) Project | Singida
Simon supported community-based interventions aimed at improving nutrition and reducing malnutrition and stunting among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. His work included community outreach, nutrition education, hygiene promotion, and practical cooking demonstrations using locally available, affordable, and nutrient-rich foods. These activities strengthened household knowledge and practical skills for improving diets and overall family well-being.
Core Professional Skills
Community Mobilization and Facilitation: Skilled in engaging, organizing, and empowering communities and local stakeholders to identify priorities and develop locally appropriate solutions to socio-economic challenges.
Project Management and Field Implementation: Experienced in project planning, coordination, field implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and facilitation of community-based activities.
Capacity Building and Training: Experienced in strengthening the capacities of farmer groups, savings groups, community leaders, women, and youth through participatory training and practical learning approaches.
Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods: Knowledge and practical experience in approaches that strengthen food security, household incomes, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods.
Community-Based Nutrition: Experience in promoting improved household nutrition, dietary diversity, hygiene, and practical food preparation using locally available resources.
Professional Vision
Simon Meela’s vision is to contribute to the development of resilient, self-reliant, and economically empowered communities across Tanzania, where households have improved access to nutritious food, secure livelihoods, and sustainable income opportunities. He believes that lasting development is achieved when communities are actively involved in identifying challenges, developing solutions, and leading the changes that affect their lives.
Through collaboration, innovation, knowledge sharing, and practical community-based approaches, Simon remains committed to contributing to sustainable agricultural development, improved nutrition, economic empowerment, and stronger rural communities.
Through his work with RECODA (Research, Community and Organizational Development Associates) and other development initiatives, Simon collaborates closely with farmers, women, youth, community groups, and local stakeholders to translate development ideas into practical solutions that create lasting and meaningful change.
Key Experience and Projects
Poultry Mother Unit (PMU) Initiative | Current Role
Simon coordinates the Poultry Mother Unit initiative, which promotes household economic empowerment, improved nutrition, and sustainable poultry production. The initiative supports community members, particularly women and youth, to brood and raise healthy chicks under appropriate biosecurity and management practices before distributing them to farming households. This approach strengthens local poultry value chains, creates income-generating opportunities, and contributes to improved household access to nutritious food.
Farmer Research Network (FRN) Project | Singida
Simon worked closely with smallholder farmers to strengthen their capacity to conduct and participate in farm-level research. The initiative brought together scientific knowledge and farmers’ indigenous knowledge and experience, enabling communities to identify suitable and resilient crop varieties, test improved farming practices, and adopt climate-smart and sustainable agricultural approaches aimed at improving productivity and resilience.
Boresha Lishe (Nutrition Improvement) Project | Singida
Simon supported community-based interventions aimed at improving nutrition and reducing malnutrition and stunting among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. His work included community outreach, nutrition education, hygiene promotion, and practical cooking demonstrations using locally available, affordable, and nutrient-rich foods. These activities strengthened household knowledge and practical skills for improving diets and overall family well-being.
Core Professional Skills
Community Mobilization and Facilitation: Skilled in engaging, organizing, and empowering communities and local stakeholders to identify priorities and develop locally appropriate solutions to socio-economic challenges.
Project Management and Field Implementation: Experienced in project planning, coordination, field implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and facilitation of community-based activities.
Capacity Building and Training: Experienced in strengthening the capacities of farmer groups, savings groups, community leaders, women, and youth through participatory training and practical learning approaches.
Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods: Knowledge and practical experience in approaches that strengthen food security, household incomes, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods.
Community-Based Nutrition: Experience in promoting improved household nutrition, dietary diversity, hygiene, and practical food preparation using locally available resources.
Professional Vision
Simon Meela’s vision is to contribute to the development of resilient, self-reliant, and economically empowered communities across Tanzania, where households have improved access to nutritious food, secure livelihoods, and sustainable income opportunities. He believes that lasting development is achieved when communities are actively involved in identifying challenges, developing solutions, and leading the changes that affect their lives.
Through collaboration, innovation, knowledge sharing, and practical community-based approaches, Simon remains committed to contributing to sustainable agricultural development, improved nutrition, economic empowerment, and stronger rural communities.