What inspires Jenaya?

by Tim Wright

In 2011, Jenaya Rockman joined Sauti Moja, as our Africa Program Manager.  She came with a wealth of expertise – several years working with volunteers in Maasai communities, professional qualifications in both education and public health, and experience in program management.  We hired Jenaya to help build the capacity of Sauti Moja-Tanzania and to support development of reproductive health education.  At least, that was the plan.

The first week on the job, Jenaya began with hosting donors from Canada, and in the second week, co-hosted 24 Rotarians from Canada. Her experience in hosting international visitors was valuable.  Jenaya’s passion for education was important, as she has been ensured that each girl mother accesses appropriate education. She has supported our staff in both Kenya and Tanzania to develop and implement effective curricula around life skills, reproductive health, communication, and family planning. Her management experience is appreciated by local staff, as she has brought increased rigour to planning and reporting. She facilitated the local Board’s hiring of a Director for SM-TZ, and staff has expressed appreciation for Jenaya’s contribution to effective teamwork. We are all pleased with her output!

Recently, I asked Jenaya what was most fulfilling about her work. She responded with several comments. 

• “The staff are passionate about the beneficiaries and communities they serve, and often, have initiated and developed the programs that they implement.” 
• “We are not changing the World, but we do help a lot of people.  We are helping individuals, and as compared to some large organizations, lives are changed. We are close to beneficiaries.  People even show up on our doorsteps with sick children that need help.”
• “We have flexible hours. Everyone does what has to be done without regard for evenings, weekends or holidays.
•  “People are better at planning, now.”
• “As compared to my previous work, I actually get to ‘know’ the beneficiaries and personally engage with them on a day-to-day basis.  I am not just coming to a village, doing training, and leaving.”

Jenaya, along with of our Kenyan and Tanzanian staff, demonstrates professionalism and superior commitment to service of vulnerable people. Such character is critical to Sauti Moja becoming the agency that the Founders and Board envisioned.  Thank you, Jenaya!

A Strategic Gift Provides Twins with an Opportunity

by Jenaya Rockman

The Government of Tanzania claims 97% enrolment in primary school. However, this claim of high enrolment seems to be untrue for most rural areas. Driving through the countryside, one sees numerous children minding livestock, hauling water, collecting firewood, and caring for younger siblings. Many children have never been enrolled, and others have been withdrawn to help with home activities. For many Maasai families, the goats and cows, which are critical to survival, are valued more highly than education.

Daniel and Msanja 

Over a year ago, Daniel and Msanja, who are twins, graduated LECHE preschool, but until recently have not been able to attend primary school. Their mother is a widow with three other children but owns no property except for three goats. When her husband died, she and her children came under the care of her brother.  Because the uncle feeds and houses them, the twins have had to care for his goats so that his own child can attend school. He claimed that he could not afford school uniforms and school supplies for them.

Sarah Ilmolleian, the Early Childhood Development Program Coordinator for SM-TZ, was aware of the twin’s situation, but the Program did not have funds to assist students, such as Daniel and Msanja, with uniforms. However, a visitor to SM-TZ learned of the plight of the twins, and provided a donation for them. Sarah used the money for uniforms to enable students to proceed to primary school. This provided the leverage she needed to approach their uncle about school enrolment; lack of money was no longer an excuse. 

Mother, Uncle, Twins and Sarah

Sarah took the neighbourhood leader, called the balozi, to talk to the uncle about allowing the children to go to primary school. The uncle wanted to allow just one boy to go, but Sarah and the balozi insisted that they both be allowed. SM-TZ was able to provide the boys with uniforms and school supplies so they could enrol in school!  For now they will attend day school, but when space becomes available, Sarah will ensure that they attend boarding school. As boarding students, regular school attendance will be ensured.

Daniel and Msanja were named after the first two village leaders of Longido, because their mother wanted them to grow up to be great men. Without Sarah and the balozi advocating getting these children in school and without the donation from visitors, the twins would likely never have attended school. Now, they have a chance to become educated and the potential leaders their mother wants them to be; they have a chance to use their education to pull their family out of poverty; they have a chance to change the future by ensuring that their own children are educated. Change can start with just a few people; it can start with Daniel and Msanja.

For more information on Sauti Moja programs, select from the side margin or go to www.sautimoja.org.