Empower 100 Tanzanian Youth through Education

As always, the past few months have been nothing short of dynamic at Jobortunity! Our compound has been buzzing with energy, and the atmosphere all electric with exciting events and activities that are making a real difference. From community-building events to celebrating the impact we have been making in the past 15 years, we’ve been hard at work driving progress!

None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our incredible Jobortunity Community. Your dedication and enthusiasm fuel everything we do, and we are so grateful for your involvement in this journey.

Stay tuned as we continue to grow, innovate, and expand our efforts to empower and uplift those around us. More exciting things are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

Thank you for being a vital part of Jobortunity’s success. The best is yet to come!

Class 2024B: bright, fresh minds!

On the morning of July 8, 31 new students—19 boys and 12 girls—arrived at Jobortunity, full of energy and excitement to start their Hi5 orientation. To make them feel welcome, we organized fun games and energizers, with each staff member introducing themselves to the group. Afterwards, we kicked off the first lesson on building trust. The goal of this session was to break the ice and help students feel comfortable with one another. By fostering rapport and trust early on, students can work well together as a group throughout their time at Jobortunity.

Apprenticeship: start of the program

On 1st June 29 students of Class 2024A officially started their 8-month apprenticeship journey! These bright and eager students were placed with 10 of our esteemed partner companies, where they began gaining hands-on experience across various service departments, including housekeeping, restaurant, and kitchen roles. 3 of these students were placed in Four Points by Sheraton: The Arusha, 1 in Kili Villa, 1 in Mount Kilimanjaro Safari Club, 3 Ngaresero Mountain Lodge, 2 in Plantation Lodge, 3 in Rhotia Valley, 5 in Rijk Zwaan, 2 in Shwari Restaurant, 7 in Tanganyika Wilderness Camps and 5 in Wilderness Wayo.

New Talents Hired!

On 1st July 2024, we were thrilled to welcome four talented new staff members to the Hi5 team at Jobortunity whose energy and enthusiasm have already begun to blend seamlessly with our vibrant culture.

 - Joice Kedimon stepped in to boost our marketing and fundraising efforts, bringing fresh ideas and creativity to the table.

- Allen Yohana joined us as our Finance Assistant, ready to streamline our financial processes and support our growth.

- Baraka Williams joined as our Assistant IT & Training specialist, ensuring that our tech needs are met while empowering our team through training.

- Pendo Jafason, our new cook, joined to delight everyone with delicious meals that nourish our students and staff alike.

Hi5 Highlights

Grooming Lesson: On 22nd July, a fashion show presentation was held at the centre, inspired by the Personal Presentation and Grooming lesson offered to students at the start of their training.

The lesson encourages students to:

-Reflect on their own appearance.

-Understand how grooming—clothing, hair, and accessories—affects how others perceive them.

-Recognize that specific grooming styles are often associated with particular environments.

-Learn the dos and don’ts of proper grooming.

 Before the students’ fashion show, the trainers kicked things off by donning various outfits and doing catwalks in front of the class. Each student observed and recorded their impressions of each look, followed by a reflection session between the trainers and students. The next day, it was the students' turn to take the stage and showcase their own fashion choices. Class 2024B embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, presenting a wide range of outfits—from Maasai attire, prayer clothing, casual wear, and healthcare uniforms, to security guard outfits and traditional tribal garments. The experience was filled with fun and excitement, leaving everyone inspired and entertained.

Hi5 Sports:Hi5 Sports is an exciting and engaging activity within the teamwork module of the Ring Finger indicator in the Hi5 curriculum. On 19th September 2024, Class 2024B participated in soccer matches, with separate games for each gender. Trainers closely observed each student's participation to provide follow-up reflection and feedback. The girls' match ended in a stalemate, while in the boys' match, Team A secured a win by scoring twice, defeating Team B, who managed a single goal.

This lesson is designed to help students:

-Reflect on their own actions and contributions as team members.

-Practice effective collaboration and teamwork.

-Become aware of their individual roles within a team.

-Understand the value of each member's contribution to the group's success.

-Develop the skills to face challenges within a team and address them constructively.

Visitors and New Partnerships

The Foundation for Tomorrow: On 17th September 2024, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from The Foundation for Tomorrow (TFFT) to Jobortunity. The visit was filled with exciting discussions centred around potential partnerships to address the growing concern of unemployed graduates. TFFT expressed their interest in a special training program for their alumni, with a focus on enhancing employability skills. The goal was to empower TFFT graduates to identify job opportunities, secure them, and thrive in their careers by adopting a positive and professional attitude. After fruitful discussions, both Jobortunity and TFFT agreed to collaborate in delivering Hi5 skills training during TFFT’s Career and Networking Forum, focusing on two key areas: Career Guidance and Behavioural Change Management, targeting around 35 of TFFT’s alumni.

The Dutch Board:  Three members of the Jobortunity Dutch board visited us to join in the celebration of our 15-year anniversary fair on 7 September. The visitors included Jolanda, the Chairperson, Michel, a board member, and Hugo, the Treasurer. This visit was particularly significant as it marked the first time Jolanda and Michel had the opportunity to meet the Jobortunity staff in person. They were able to experience firsthand how our daily operations run and observe our classes in action, gaining valuable insight into how Jobortunity empowers students through the Hi5 learning. During their stay, the board members attended an evening party where they met with the Tanzanian board. This gathering offered a wonderful opportunity for both boards to exchange ideas and explore further ways in which the Dutch board can continue to support and contribute to Jobortunity's mission. The visit also included trips to some of our key partner companies, allowing the board members to learn more about the collaborative efforts that make our apprenticeship programs successful. Additionally, they visited a few students in their homes, gaining a deeper understanding of their daily lives and how Jobortunity impacts them beyond the classroom.

A Day to Remember: 15 years of transforming lives!

On 7th September 2024, the long-anticipated day finally arrived, transforming the Jobortunity premises into a vibrant, festive scene. The space was beautifully decorated with colourful balloons, ribbons, and twinkling hanging lights, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. Fancy seating areas were thoughtfully arranged, giving attendees the perfect setting to relax, socialize, and connect. At the heart of the garden, a stage was set for a series of dazzling performances, including a live band, student-led dances, and soulful songs. Surrounding the grounds, tents were set up for partner companies to proudly showcase their services and businesses, adding to the festive energy. And the food? Absolutely mouth-watering! Jobortunity, along with our cherished partner Fifi’s Restaurant, served delicious meals that left everyone satisfied. Excitement built as raffle tickets were sold, offering attendees a chance to win special prizes. The thrill reached its peak at the end of the event when the Master of Ceremonies began announcing the winning numbers. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone sitting on the edge of their seats, holding their tickets tightly as complete silence fell over the crowd.

Amidst all the excitement, the true highlight of the day came when Jolanda, our Dutch Board Chair, made a surprise announcement. To everyone's delight, she revealed that the Dutch Board had successfully raised over 8,000 Euros through Dutch contacts. This incredible donation will be used to buy new laptops and chairs for our students, a generous gift that will make a lasting impact. The entire Jobortunity family extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who played a part in making this event such a tremendous success.

Staff Development Trainings:

Dekker Chrysanten: Moshi and Arusha branches

From 13 June – 12 July 2024, a Personal Leadership Skills course was held at Dekker Chrysanten's Moshi and Arusha branches, with 44 staff members taking part. The goal was to help participants develop leadership skills using hands-on learning methods. The interactive training encouraged participants to actively practice leadership in real-life situations, working together and learning from each other. By the end of the course, participants had a better understanding of their leadership styles, improved communication skills, and recognized how their leadership actions affect others. They also identified areas for personal growth and committed to using their new skills in daily work, while understanding the importance of motivating teams and building trust. The training gave participants the tools they need to lead confidently in their roles.