I have just returned to Canada after spending 90 days in Tanzania. It was an absolutely amazing experience that I will never forget. In fact, I am motivated now, more then ever, to get involved with non-profit/non-government organizations. Since I have been back most of my energy has been spent thinking about the possibility of opening my own NGO/NPO and figuring out what it would address. While I was in Tanzania I spend quite a lot of time talking with local NGO owners to discus how they picked what they wanted their organization to address and what they felt were the major areas that needed attention in their country. From these discussions I think I have come to conclusion that I would want to dedicate my NGO to women’s education and empowerment. Women in Tanzania are not given nearly as many opportunities as the men are. For instance, the founder of a local vocational center told me that in almost all families they place a much greater priority on sending the male children to school. For example, if a family has four children, two of which are girls, and the family only has enough money to send two kids to school they will choose to send the boys. Even if the girls are older. This is party because it is beleived that it is the women’s job to stay at home to take care of the younger children, wash clothes, make food, clean the house, take care of the animals and farm. Even from a spectators view the women seam to work much harder then the men, but never get any of the credit, opportunities nor rights that the men are given.
I think it is equally important for men to get education, however, I have chosen that my potential future NGO would be dedicated to women’s education to create gender equality in Tanzania.
The reason why I have chosen to focus on education to create this equality is because I feel that education is the foundation for change. It focuses on the next generation of people and with more education come endless possibilities.
I obviously can not commit to starting this NGO now as I have to go back to university and finish my undergraduate degree, but I am excited to see what comes of it in the future.
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Why would you choose to start your own NGO so soon in your career, rather than working with or for a good one that is already operating, to get some more experience? Just curious!
Thank you for your input.
If fact I have already done some work and volunteering with small non-profit organizations in Canada and Tanzania now. This summer I will also be working with The United Way Canada.
I agree that it is valuable to have work experience before breaking off on my own. Opening my own NGO is a future vision of mine, I didn’t plan on starting it right now before I even finish my undergraduate degree.
I also have a lot of research that would need to be done first.
I hope that answers your question.
Hi Katie,
Thank you very much for this wonderful post. I am from Tanzania and I was so touched by your article and i can also relate to what you are saying.
I am lucky that my parents worked very hard for me to be where I am now considering that my father out of nine children was the only child who went to school and showed interest in school. Otherwise had it not been for my father I would have been like most of the young ladies who marry at a very young age and are subject to look after children and the house.
I know exactly how you feel about starting an NGO as I have also wanted to do something to help the women back home. I think the only way to break them away from that cylce is for them to get education. The women in Tanzania are hard working and I wish in my lifetime I am able to get involved in programmes or activities to empower them.
I am considering going to study international development and I would like you to assist me with any organisations that you are familiar with that work with Tanzania. I live in Alberta and I am finding it very hard to find organisations in Alberta that work in partnership with Tanzania. Thank you very much and all the best for the future.