Christopher Dowswell Scholarship Fund

Hilda was born the first of a family of four children in rural Tanzania. In secondary school, Hilda found herself developing an interest in agriculture. She enjoyed studying agriculture since it was not only her passion, but she saw that by improving her skills she could improve the prospects for her family and help other farmers. 

This interest in agriculture continued into her adult life. After receiving a Christopher Dowswell scholarship, Hilda was able to attend an agricultural extension program and eventually find work as an agricultural extension officer. 

"The scholarship meant a lot to me," Hilda said. "It helped with tuition fees and other academic support and allowed me not to worry about finances, helping improve my academic performance.”

The Christopher Dowswell Scholarship Fund, launched by Winrock with initial financial support from Mr. Dowswell’s family after his death in 2009, helps increase the number of women in extension services. It financially supports women pursuing degrees in agricultural extension in Africa.

Hilda's goal working in agricultural extension has always been to become a reliable change agent, leading farmers by example through the knowledge and skills agricultural extension has provided her. The Dowswell Scholarship itself has served as a beneficial example, as well.

"For those who are around me, and my country as a whole, [the scholarship] has played a part as a motivation for women and other young girls through being recognized and given an opportunity to study and provided with a scholarship," she said. 

Thus far in her work as an agricultural field officer, she's discovered that improved knowledge and skills can greatly improve the living standards of farmers in her country through improved production and income. 

"Production is there," Hilda said, "but what is missing is stable income, so knowledge of agricultural extension will help me guide them in a right way. [For] example, the use of value addition to attract [a] good price.”