Quarterly Report 4 – June 1st to August 31st 2021
TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF TANZANIAN YOUTH
We train, coach and mentor youth from vulnerable and
challenging backgrounds to create professional, confident and
employable individuals. Through the Hi5 – 21st Century Skills
Training, youth are given an opportunity for a better life.
Greetings from Arusha!
Here we are wrapping up our fourth quarter, which means it is time to evaluate the last 12 months of all things Hi5 and
Jobortunity! Even with the uncertainty that the global pandemic has brought, we have managed to keep our core mission
program on track, offering the Training of Youth program every six months with a full class. There have been new
challenges, but our team has admirably faced each one with creativity and determination to fulfil our NGO’s mission of
supporting vulnerable youth. If anything, this moment has made our team stronger and more dedicated.
We have welcomed over 60 new students into the one-year Training of Youth program and introduced them to the world
of Hi5. We have graduated 47 motivated youth bringing our total of alumni to 498 and making us proud. We have trained
and coached over 30 supervisors and managers at Oasis Young Plants and Fides Tanzania. We have increased our staff by
2, adding two new trainers to the team: one in management and one entry level who is also a recent Jobortunity graduate.
Our 12-year birthday is approaching and we hope this year we can finally celebrate with the events we have been planning
and postponing throughout the pandemic. We are waiting for the right time that our students, alumni, friends and family
of Jobortunity can celebrate safely together. Some of my naïve optimism from the last Newsletter has been dampened
by the reality of on-going global rise in cases, increased travel restrictions and forced quarantines. If anything, here at
Jobortunity we have become more vigilant for the safety of our staff and students.
Luckily, we have taken lots of pictures these past 3 months, and so I will let images do a lot of the speaking for this QR 4!
Asante and Enjoy the Report!
Leslie Baxter
Managing Director
Quarterly Report 4 – June 1st to August 31st 2021
Updates on all things Jobortunity – Student News
Graduation 2020A. On July 2nd, 28 smiling faces greeted family
and friends of almost 200 people on a beautiful Friday afternoon
on the grounds of Jobortunity. We were proud to graduate 93%
of the class, 28 of 30 students. Rijk Zwaan General Manager, Mr.
Goodluck Kwayu, was the guest of honor and gave an inspirational Graduating Class 2020
graduation speech to the students.
Selection for Class of 2021B. During the month of June, we held the
Selection exercises and process for the Class of 2021B. In all we saw
75 applications sold, which was a great showing considering the
weak initial applications. Over a 3-day period our team selected 32
students for the class. Following selection, the trainers visited the
future students’ homes to identify the best candidates for the
scholarship program
Candidates Class of 2021B. Our second class this year began June 28th. This class
has 32 students, and while the previous class of 65% girls, this class
is the opposite – 20 boys are in the class, about 60%. They are
completing their second month now and are really developing into a strong team.
Classroom improvements. The rains had done quite a bit of damage
to the classroom, and so together with our landlord and fundi, we
repaired the leaky roof, made repairs to the ceiling and repainted
the interiors. Next we will be doing some creative artwork!
University of Windsor Intern. A Tanzanian student just finishing his
3rd year at the University of Windsor (Ontario, Canada) completed
his 40-hour internship at Jobortunity, learning about and supporting
our efforts to bridge the skills gap. Mwombeki Rugalema Opening of the New Class 2021B
participated in our selection activities and preparation for the new
class by helping trainers and IT. He also integrated easily with the
students of the current class who are the same age.
English Support Fridays. We have a renewed energy, thanks to our new Education Manager Mr. Steven Ndosi, to boost
the level of English amongst our students. Now Fridays, besides being known as Furaha Day, are English Support days.
Apprenticeships for Class of 2021A. We found placements for this class with the following partners: Wayo Guides (6), Fifis
Restaurant (2), Ngare Sero (4), Onsea House (4), Rivertrees (2), Four Points Sheraton (3), Plantation Lodge (1), Woodland
Café (2), Sound of Silence (2), Mrimba Palm (1). It has been a complicated journey – but we deeply thank those partners!
New Hi5 Graduate new hire. Maboni Nick is one of our most recent graduates, and he is now also the newest entry to our
team! He is an assistant to the Training Department, and with his intimate knowledge of the program has been able to
start adding value to the team from day 1.
Updates on all things Jobortunity – Organization News
E-Learning On June 17th and June 23rd, Jobortunity’s Managing Director and IT Manager met with Robert van den Broek
from Panta Media NL and Sam Obae from Texto Media. This steering committee created a plan for the Pilot project,
choosing two Professionalism lessons to begin immediate content production. Work has already begun on the
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development and creation of the professional videos. In the meantime, we are analyzing platform options.
" Educating the MIND without Educating the HEART is no Education at all. " - Aristotle
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Quarterly Report 4 – June 1st to August 31st 2021
Government Leadership and Representation. In June, Finance and
Administration Manager Robert Lyaruu participated in the election
of National Council of NGOs - NACONGO leaders at the District and
Regional level held in Arusha region. On June 26th Robert was
approved as NACONGO representative of Meru District Council as
well as elected a NACONGO leader of Arumeru District.
Rotary Usa River (Tanzania) together with sister organization
Rotary Papui (New Zealand) are supporting 5 disadvantaged youth
to participate in the class of 2021B. Through fundraising efforts in
NACONGO Leaders Meeting
New Zealand, the Rotary of Papui was able to raise a significant
amount to support our program of training, mentoring and
coaching Tanzanian youth. This was made possible by Rotary Usa River.
Rotary Club of Arusha held a Yoga-Thon to raise funds for Vulnerable Girls in Arusha, and Jobortunity as one of two
beneficiaries of this fundraiser – as was previously reported. The event was a success and the money raised is going to
support the special scholarships of 4 girls from the Class of 2021B, as well as support the building of a dedicated Girls
bathroom for the classroom.
Rotary Club of Arusha West side is generously fully supporting 3 disadvantaged youth to participate in the class of 2021B.
Through local fundraising efforts, the Rotary raised money that will support our Training of Youth program and its students
that are motivated and enthusiastic to learn, work hard and change their trajectory!
IESE MBA Intern Yi-Ju Chen has joined our team
for the month of August to develop a Strategic Staff Outing and Intern Yi-Ju
Marketing Plan and to help us make practical
improvements to Marketing and Communication
of our NGOs activities. Besides her internship
activities, she has become our official
photographer! She was able to participate in a
team outing on Lake Duluti (see picture).
New Board member Victor Laiser joined the Jobortunity Board officially on August 7th. He is bringing with him great
relevant experience both in the sector of Hospitality as well as in Administration. He is replacing outgoing Secretary
Shermin Moledina. Shermin was one of the founding Board members and has been a great part of the team, she will be
missed and Jobortunity thanks her for her dedication and all of the value she added.
New NL Board member Michelle de Rijk joined the Dutch Board this quarter. She has lived many years in East Africa and
at the moment is in the Netherlands. She is in the sector of Training and Education, and we hope to see her and other NL
Board members here in Tanzania as soon as possible.
Newest Senior Trainer. Happyness Kaaya was promoted to Senior Trainer August 25th. She is a
Jobortunity graduate from Class 1 and has been a Hi5 trainer ever since. She is a reference for our
program and for other trainers who look to her for input and support –
Hongera Happy!
Social Work Coordinator. Neema Samwel has a new title: Senior Trainer
and Social Work Coordinator. A big part of our program is individual
mentoring and coaching. Our students have challenging backgrounds they
are overcoming and our team wants to be able to put more focus on these individual needs for
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better long-term impact.
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" Educating the MIND without Educating the HEART is no Education at all. " - Aristotle
T: +255 682 819 891 | +255 742 190 317 W:[Link] E: [Link]
Quarterly Report 4 – June 1st to August 31st 2021
Visit from Tanzanian Education Support. On July 30th, we had visitors Helle, Charlotte and Lisbeth from TES – Denmark.
They are regular visitors and supporters to schools in the area, but this is the first time they have visited our Training
Centre. They spent much of their time directly speaking with the students.
Hi5 ambassador of the year. On August 11th, a Hi5 Award was given to John Mkanda. He is an environmentalist working
closely with the Meru District Council office and an employee of Ngaresero Lodge (Partners Company). He has been an
ambassador of Jobortunity and our program now for many years. This year he brought a record number of youth to apply
for the class of 2021B, and a large group of our current students come from his area.
Challenges we are facing
The on-going primary challenge is the misplaced optimism about a quick strong return to tourism, which of course has
been muted by the Delta virus, by a global hesitancy to
get the vaccine, and breakthrough infections. This
means additional lockdowns and travel restrictions
keeping potential tourists away for another season.
This has impacted our organization is many different
ways, but mostly impacting our placements for
apprenticeships and the planned growth of our
Outreach Programs which has been part of our
strategic plan to create a more sustainable
organization and diversify our funding. But even more
than that, this has been a challenge for our staff and
students. We need to stay healthy for ourselves, our
families and our communities while at the same time
remaining active and keeping our organization strong. We have become more vigilant but we have not been immune, we
had a trainer fall ill in July and spend 4 weeks ill between hospitals and home. We were so happy to welcome her back in
early August.
Looking Ahead to the Fourth Quarter
New Classroom Bathroom for Girls. We are working with our Fundi on plans to build a new bathroom for girls at the
classroom. Rotary Club of Arusha is supporting us in this venture through the Yoga-Thon held in May 2021 to support
vulnerable girls in Arusha.
Swahili Course. Jobortunity will host a two-week Swahili immersion course for beginners and those in need of a refresher.
The course runs from Sept 20th to October 1, and all proceeds will go to support the Training of Youth program. This is a
key part of our strategic plan to grow sustainable activities so we can help youth for another 12 years!
Training at Miracle Experience. Two experienced Jobortunity trainers will travel to lodges in the Serengeti in mid-
September to give a one week Customer Service training course.
Global Giving Campaign. Jobortunity will try its hand at our first ever crowdfunding fundraiser. We have been selected to
participate in a campaign running from September 13-30th on the Global Giving platform. Look for our communications in
that time period and please help us through online donations!
Twelve Month Audit. In September we will have a 12-month audit, and will be able to post our official reports following
our Board meeting in October.
Asante sana, and until next time – August 31st 2021!
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" Educating the MIND without Educating the HEART is no Education at all. " - Aristotle
T: +255 682 819 891 | +255 742 190 317 W:[Link] E: [Link]
Quarterly Report 4 – June 1st to August 31st 2021
A snapshot of some of the Youth that make up the new Class of 2021B
Students taking care of Logan
Sports Day 2021
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" Educating the MIND without Educating the HEART is no Education at all. " - Aristotle
T: +255 682 819 891 | +255 742 190 317 W:[Link] E: [Link]
