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What We Missed, What You Missed!

What We Missed, What You Missed!

Dear Friend of Twende,

From September 25th to 27th, we celebrated a momentous milestone – a decade of impact!

But this journey began long before 2014. Twende’s roots stretch back to 2004 when our co-founder, Jim Elsworth, first established a workshop in his Arusha garden, driven by a vision to empower Tanzanian communities, especially the youth, out of drudgery.

We officially registered as an NGO in 2007, and in the years that followed, Jim, along with other dedicated individuals like Chris Mushi, our longest serving member of staff, laid the groundwork for what Twende is today.

Why, then, are we marking this decade of impact from 2014? This year signified a turning point for Twende. It marked the launch of our formal programs in schools and to our partner organizations, the structured support for innovators, and the official running of programs as we know them today. This shift was catalyzed by hosting the 8th International Development Design Summit (IDDS) in Arusha, which amplified our work on a global stage and led to a transformative partnership with MIT D-Lab.

To truly appreciate this milestone, we need to acknowledge the full story – the early days, the groundwork laid by our founders, the collaborations, and the unwavering commitment to empowering Tanzanian communities. This is what we may have missed, and what some of you may have missed as well.

What We Missed

Unveiling the Full Story: Twende’s Journey from 2004 to 2024

From a garden workshop to a vibrant hub of innovation, Twende’s journey has been one of continuous growth and evolution. We’ve learned, adapted, and strengthened our commitment to fostering education, technology, and entrepreneurship. We’ve nurtured partnerships, like those with Global Cycle Solutions and Accelerating Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (AISE), which have shaped our trajectory and expanded our reach.

While our impact can be formally tracked from 2014 onwards, we acknowledge the dedication of our founders who paved the way for these impactful programs.

What You Missed!!

Highlights from Twende’s Decade of Impact Event

For those of you who couldn’t join us, here’s a glimpse of what you missed at our three-day celebration:

Day 1: Stakeholders Gathering and Strategic Planning
Twende’s board chair, Ellen Mndima, facilitated a strategic planning session in our Njiro workshop.  We brought together key stakeholders – educators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, Jamii Tech innovators and partners – to collaboratively shape Twende’s future.

The presentations by Ellen and Executive Director, Nzira, covered Twende’s current vision, mission, strengths and weaknesses as well as directions for the next five years. Participants then came up with their own vision statements and identified priority goals for Twende. The information gathered will inform the development of Twende’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030.

We’ll be sharing a draft plan with all partners and stakeholders soon for your feedback before finalizing it.

Day 2: Innovation in Education Showcase
This day was a vibrant celebration of creativity and ingenuity, showcasing the incredible impact of our Innovation and STEM education programs.  Students and teachers shared inspiring stories and demonstrated how Twende has ignited a passion for innovation and problem-solving in their schools.

A highlight of the day was the Social Innovation Challenge, where 9 teams tackled real-world problems in just 30 minutes!  Challenges focused on assistive technology, gravity & speed, and a thrilling speed challenge that put their skills to the test.

Social entrepreneur, educator, lawyer, and CEO of Shule Direct, Faraja Kotta Nyalandu, delivered an inspiring keynote address that encouraged students to embrace 21st-century skills and become agents of change.

 

Day 3: Entrepreneurship and Jamii Tech Summit
The energy was electric as aspiring and established entrepreneurs gathered to connect, learn, and showcase their impactful ventures. The Jamii Tech Summit highlighted the power of technology in addressing social challenges, with inspiring presentations and innovative solutions.

Participants from the 2024 Jamii Tech Program proudly showcased their

innovations. They then pitched their innovations to a panel of judges and

potential investors.

Carolyn Kandusi, Senior Program Officer from Segal FamilyFoundation, delivered an inspirational keynote address on the role of tech and entrepreneurship in driving social change.

Gala Night: Celebrating a Community of Changemakers
The three-day Decade of Impact event ended with a celebration – a Gala Evening at Mount Meru Hotel attended by around 100 innovators, partners, colleagues and other supporters.

The evening included a keynote speech from MIT D-Lab’s Amy Smith,

short speeches by Chairperson, Ellen Mndima, Co-founders Jim Elsworth and Bernard Kiwia,  Jodie Wu (who helped with the construction of Twende’s workshop), and innovator, Colman Ndetembea, from Kyaro Assistive Tech.

We acknowledged those people and partners who have made Twende what it is today with the Twende Impact Awards.

We also launched a fundraising campaign for Twende’s skill center and multipurpose building extension, raising 5.1 million TZS in cash and pledges.

And… we had a great time on the dance floor!

THANK YOU!

We are incredibly grateful for the support of our amazing Twende community! You are the wind beneath our wings.

A special thanks to our “Decade of Impact” event funders: VC4A, The Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation, and Segal Family Foundation.

And to our incredible mission partners: Australian Volunteers, the School of St Jude, Projekt Inspire, Somo Africa, RLabs Iringa, Ifakara Innovation Hub, Nena Hub, Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha (WSHA), Elle Peut Naidim (EPN), and all participating schools.

And finally, a huge thank you to everyone who attended our events or contributed to our success in any way!

We appreciate your support.

You can find a full report of the three-day “Decade of Impact” event here.

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