Inspiring Testimonies
Hadija Said Mwangu, at the age of 45, stands as a remarkable testament to the transformative impact of the African Reflections Foundation. Our encounter with Hadija dates back to her early twenties, a time when the seeds of our foundation were just beginning to sprout. Hadija resided in the humble village of Kisele, where her story unfolded as one of unwavering strength and determination, especially as a brave single mother of four, battling against the odds to provide for her family.
Each day, Hadija would rise at the break of dawn, around 5 am, to prepare donuts for sale, a means to gather funds for her children’s education. Her passion for development and her remarkable resilience did not go unnoticed by our Founder, Maryvonne Pool. Maryvonne initiated conversations within Hadija’s community, focusing on water and agricultural projects, and in doing so, unlocked the potential for impactful change.
It became evident, through numerous interactions with Hadija and her fellow villagers, that she possessed natural leadership qualities. Her character exuded strength, and her charisma served as a beacon of hope to many. Hadija commanded respect and garnered the trust of her community, a testament to her leadership abilities.
The African Reflections Foundation took a significant step by establishing two commercial small-scale farms, with Hadija at the helm of two out-grower groups formed to cultivate and market organic produce. Hadija took on the leadership of the Matokeo group comprising 22 women and the Jipemoyo group consisting of 18 women. Through these farming initiatives, our foundation collaborated with local landowners who generously offered their land to our out-grower groups, allowing the women to reap the benefits of their labor.
Hadija’s commitment to helping others, particularly the women in her community, has been unwavering. To this day, decades later, she continues to be a beacon of inspiration. In her own words, “My experience working with the African Reflections Foundation and Tanzpro through the livelihood initiatives, I have managed to receive networking with local government officials and mobilize my fellow community members positively. I have also received training in farming management, especially in the organic farming sector, and, last but not least, I have
grown socially and economically, able to provide for my kids and build a house. I am truly thankful for receiving empowerment in leadership, decent work, and economic advancement.” – Hadija.
Hadija’s journey exemplifies the foundation’s mission to empower women, uplift communities, and create lasting positive change. Her story is a testament to the strength of individuals and the transformative power of collective efforts in the pursuit of a better future.
Kidawa Haruna Jecha, a 56-year-old farmer, was born and raised in the breathtaking landscapes of Zanzibar’s Kusini district, nestled in the heart of Muyuni ward. Her life’s work revolved around cultivating the land to provide for her family, a labor of love that brought its share of challenges due to financial constraints and limited access to modern farming techniques…
Kidawa’s story took a remarkable and positive turn when she became a beneficiary of the Maridhiano 100% Organic Farming Outgrower Group in Zanzibar, an initiative introduced by the African Reflections Foundation in collaboration with Tanzpro Greens Limited. This outgrower group was established with a vision to promote eco-friendly practices and provide support to small-scale farmers in adopting organic farming methods. For Kidawa, this opportunity marked a turning point in her life. She joined a community of like-minded individuals who shared a common goal: to embrace organic farming and cultivate the land sustainably. Through this collective effort, she found herself on a path of resilience and progress. With the support and resources provided by the African Reflections Foundation and Tanzpro Greens Limited, Kidawa’s life began to transform economically. She learned about organic farming techniques that not only benefited her own livelihood but also contributed to the well-being of her entire community. Through organic farming, she witnessed the land rejuvenate, and her crops thrived, free from harmful chemicals. Kidawa’s journey stands as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when individuals come together to make a positive change. She illuminated a greener path toward a prosperous future for her community, and her story is a beacon of hope for generations to come. Kidawa’s determination and the support of the African Reflections Foundation have not only improved her own life but have also contributed to the overall well-being of her community, demonstrating the power of sustainable and eco-friendly practices in farming.
In 2016, just a year after Tanzpro Organic Limited started its operations under African reflections foundation , a young man named Godfrey Lucas (27) joined the company. As a resident and local of Mkuranga District, Godfrey was one of the very first beneficiaries of the out-grow-ers groups initiated at Mitaranda village.
He recalls his journey with the African reflections foundation in collaboration with Tanzpro as a highlight lesson in his life. The first months into the Mitaranda group, Godfrey, together with other group members and the ARF management team had to prepare a forest land in order to cultivate plants for organic produce. Tanzpro in partnership with ARF ensured the group receives adequate training in organic farming, environmental conservation, and SME awareness to mention a few.
As a young man with dreams of succeeding, he did not have many resources to advance his dreams as he was hindered by his underprivileged background. He recalls working very hard to date at the Mitaranda Organic farm that has seen him rising in the ranks from an ordinary group member to the group’s manager in which he ensures the farm delivers produce such as bell peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, okra, eggplants, and various other vegetables.
Godfrey credits his success to the lessons learned at the farm whereby the initiative has taught him and his group about organic farming, he also notes that managing the farm has built him enough to overcome multiple challenges at work and in his personal life, he has also learned to be of service, interact with people, build strength and perseverance and get creative with his ideas. As one of our outstanding team members in the Tanzpro – ARF Partnership, Godfrey’s sound growth and resilience inspire us all to keep working in advancing rural community development.
“My work with Arf and Tanzpro has been a successful venture that has helped shape me and mold me with much experience. Through Arf and Tanzpro I have managed to earn an income that helps me support my parents and family since I am the bread-winner. I have also had the opportunity to connect with various people and mentors who have helped me grow personally and in addition through my job I was able to acquire assets such as land whereby I plan to build my house. My future aspirations are rooted in the knowledge and opportunities I have received from Tanzpro in organic farming and I am hoping in the future to initiate my own. organic farm in order to grow my income and uplift other young people in my community. I am always full of gratitude to be part of such an empowering team.”