Help Tanzanian Youth Make Tech to Help Themselves

The Creative Capacity Building training workshops have successfully engaged a total of 103 participants from diverse community backgrounds, ranging in age from 13 to 38. Through rigorous qualitative and quantitative assessments, we are proud to witness the trainees' newfound ability to address local challenges through the design and creation of localized technologies. Additionally, they are actively developing innovative solutions to problems encountered within their families and communities. A prime example of the impactful tech solutions emerging from this workshop is the garlic peeler. This device not only empowers garlic seed entrepreneurs by streamlining their value-addition processes but also proves invaluable for personal use, saving time and preventing finger injuries commonly associated with manual peelin

At Twende, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of innovators. Our Innovation Club has ignited the passion for innovation in 56 St. Jude students, while 15 Braeburn International School students flourished during our engaging hands-on Build It workshop. The enthusiasm displayed by these young minds is truly inspiring, and they eagerly anticipate further opportunities to expand their knowledge and creative skills.

The progress of our Bikepreneur project, launched in partnership with ABC Impact and Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha, has been nothing short of remarkable. This initiative empowers young individuals with the necessary skills and resources to build sustainable bike-based businesses centered around innovation, entrepreneurship, and bike mechanics. Our recent Creative Capacity Building Workshop, held from April 2nd to 6th, yielded remarkable outcomes. Participants successfully designed and constructed four functional prototypes: a bicycle-powered vegetable slicer, water pump, and exercise machine, further fueling their entrepreneurial aspiration

Recognizing the importance of financial support for burgeoning startups, we have partnered with Venture Capital For Africa (VC4A) to train 10 mentors who will play a pivotal role in assisting these ventures in attracting capital. Although our Mentor Driven Capital (MDC) program is still in its early stages of implementation, with the train-the-trainer phase underway, it has already generated significant momentum. We are filled with anticipation as we look forward to witnessing these mentors empower startups to secure the funding necessary to thrive.

As we continue to nurture grassroots to startups through skills and knowledge , we are confident that the entrepreneurial ecosystem will flourish, leading to economic growth and social impact in the communities we serve. Twende remains dedicated to driving innovation, empowering individuals, and fostering a brighter future for all.

At Twende, we champion local innovation as the driving force behind tackling Africa's challenges. This year marks a decade of impact, and we're doubling down on our commitment to empowering individuals and transforming communities through sustainable, community-led technologies.

Here's a glimpse into the work that was done for the past 3  months towards the goal of equipping Tanzanian youth with the skills to design and build technologies that address local challenges

Design for second life Innovations

In collaboration with MIT, KOICA, and Samsung, we launched the "Design for Second Life Innovations" project early in 2024. This initiative aims to engage youth in innovation, design, and technology creation, with a focus on upcycling Samsung digital devices such as phones and televisions.

We've already reached over 50 young people from Arusha and Kilimanjaro, providing them with training in design, technology refinement, and essential business skills. The project has already yielded impressive results, with some notable creations including a firewood chopper, fingerprint mechanism, water sensor control system, snacks making machine, garlic peeler, paper recycler, automatic fire detector, stove, weeder, blender, drone, and smart dustbin.

Innovation in Education

We're fostering the next generation of innovators! Our Innovation Club has inspired 56 St. Jude students, while 15 Braeburn International School students thrived in our hands-on Build It workshop. Their enthusiasm is undeniable, with students eager for more opportunities to learn and create.

Bikepreneur Project

We're thrilled with the progress of our Bikepreneur project, launched in partnership with ABC Impact and Westerwelle Startup Haus Arusha. This initiative equips young people with the knowledge and tools to establish sustainable bike-based businesses rooted in innovation, entrepreneurship, and bike mechanics. From April 2nd-6th, we conducted a Creative Capacity Building Workshop with 16 participants, yielding impressive results. They designed and built four working prototypes: a bicycle-powered vegetable slicer, water pump, and exercise machine, further fueling their entrepreneurial spirit.

Mentorship for Growth

In collaboration with Venture Capital For Africa (VC4A), we're training 10 mentors to help startups attract capital. Our Mentor Driven Capital (MDC) program, which is at the initial stages of implementation through the train-the-trainer phase, is already making waves. We're eager to see these mentors guide startups toward securing the funding they need to flourish.

Conclusion

As we celebrate ten years of impact, Twende remains dedicated to empowering local innovators and driving sustainable change. We're excited to continue our journey, fostering the creativity and ingenuity of Tanzanian youth to build