Support This Unique Free Library in Rural Tanzania

Each quarter we highlight someone who has received help from our programs and describe them and how their lives have changed because of the work that Jifundishe does. This time, we are introducing you to Anande, our Managing Director, who really makes it all happen.

Anande graduated from the African Visionary Fellowship program in New Jersey last month and then, went on to attend Perennial in Seattle, a leadership develpoment program that allows each candidate to "check-in" with the vision and mission of their organization as well as how to manage your own well-being and maintaining the integrity of the values of the organization.

Anande was born in the village of Maji ya Chai and was the seventh child of nine born to her Mom, who was the second wife of Anande's father. Her Mom never finished primary school and married at age 14 and now has 27 grandchildren. At age 40, Anande's family history is typical of other Tanzanian women her age. But things are changing. More and more girls are being educated, rather than married at a young age. They are finding employment, developing themselves as entrepreneurs and having fewer children and more stable homes. Thnaks in large part to efforts made by people like Anande.

Jifundishe is lucky to have Anande leading our organization. She is a role model, a mentor and an example to other young girls in the villages where we work that times are changing and lifestyles need to follow. She helps them take advantage of educational opportunities, reproductive health workshops and business and IT skills to prepare them for modern-day employment opportunities.

We applaud Anande on her recent graduation from the African Visionary Fellows program and thank her for her years of service to our organization now, and hopefully for years to come.