Kilimanjaro projects
During our stay in Iringa we were very well received and guided by Hyasinta Mgonja, our volunteer coordinator. Hyasinta has her own projects in Northern Tanzania and empowerment is one of her specialties. If you want to volunteer or do internships at one of her projects, we highly recommend working with this lady!
Hyasinta is the founder of Tanzania Initiatives for Community Resilience (TICR). Her organization is an accredited training organization. As a woman born in a country where women are often disadvantaged, she aims to change this as a social worker. The community has all the necessary resources, but sometimes just needs someone to guide them and provide them with minimal support for their own development. Her projects are based on empowering the community in terms of knowledge and skills. Since the start of TICR, the organization has implemented several projects that focus on personal development, along with their core values: Teamwork, Community Focus, Integrity, Responsibility and Honesty, Excellence, Respect for the Law and Dedication.
❖ Livelihood: In Tanzania, agriculture is the mainstay of livelihood for the majority of households. Focusing on sustainable agriculture contributes to food security, prevents dependency and increases self-reliance.
❖ Ecological resilience: Working to preserve the genetic diversity of forests; genetic management that adapts to the local situation and fits in with the future.
❖ Information and community-based knowledge: All local communities have developed their knowledge and technologies over many generations. This knowledge is used for sustainability initiatives and continued development and progress.
❖ Transformation: Community approach to well-being, which takes into account spiritual and social aspects and economic well-being. Our community sometimes needs a restructuring of all aspects of life, taking into account environmental aspects, technology, social institutions and population.
❖ Gender Equality: Our community must understand gender equality in its essence. Easy access to resources and opportunities, economic participation, decision-making and the extent to which different behaviors are valued, regardless of gender.
❖ Health and disasters: Specially for the community in the remote area of the Masai's; The community needs to adapt and understand how disasters happen and now how to respond to them. For example, many communities were unaware of COVID–19, resources and how to deal with it.
❖ Environmental conservation and lifestyle: We must adopt a lifestyle that can guarantee the quality of nature; protecting the future of our planet. There is no planet B. Action is needed regarding our Earth.
❖ Social infrastructure: Guaranteeing the availability of social infrastructure as a basis for citizens.
❖ Economic empowerment: Empowering people with few resources through education and donations; Giving them a sense of identity and community in which they can thrive and grow. Using local resources to support development of a sustainable community.
If you would like to support this strong woman, you can contact her directly. She is also looking for volunteers/interns for the following classes: sports & dance, math and computer, English, German & French language lessons and for an animal shelter.
Volunteers/interns will be picked up by Hyasinta from the airport, accommodation will be arranged and Hyasinta will guide you during your stay in Tanzania
