Supporting and Empowering Women in Arusha Tanzania

Lisa and I both finished full time work in January. We wanted to mark this life transition with something purposeful and different (challenging might be another word!).

Many of you will remember our son Rhodes volunteered in Arusha (near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania), and based on his experience we decided to volunteer (through https://www.meditripvolunteers.com/) in Arusha for a month. We are now in our second week, with Lisa working in the Medical ward of Mount Meru Regional Hospital whilst I am working with Tupendane Africa Foundation.

Tupendane Africa Foundation (https://www.tupendaneafricafoundation.com/) is a Non-Governmental Organization located in Arusha with the goal of supporting and empowering women from difficult social and economic backgrounds. It is led by an amazing women in Roseline Mushi.

The Foundation has 4 primary work streams - running a Day Care for 82 kids, Community Outreach to local underprivileged families, Education programs for local schools and running a year long Women's Empowerment Program for 25 women. The Women's Empowerment Program aims to enable women from under-educated, under-privileged and, in many cases, challenging family situations to build their own family lives around economic and social sustainability. It does this by educating the 25 women in English, Vocations (Tailoring, Sewing, Hair Dressing and Braiding), Mental Health and Resilience, Physical Wellbeing and Business skills. My job over the next month is to assist and help in their Business skills training.

Lisa was able to join me last Friday to see first hand the incredible work at both the Day Care and Women's Empowerment Program. Roseline and her small team achieve amazing outcomes with very little. You can see in the photo the 25 women in front of their classroom (probably the size of a single office in the Australian context!).

Tupendane Africa Foundation does not receive any Government funding (despite their best efforts) and relies purely on Donations.

Lisa and I have decided we would like to make a significant Donation to the Tupendane Africa Foundation to ensure the sustainability of the Women's Empowerment Program through the expansion of their physical classroom facility, class materials and hopefully even to provide the 25 Women with a meaningful "Starting Fund".

We would love your support, and you can be assured any donation will make a massive difference.