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Come join us in changing our community for the better life.

Local Tanzanians working to empower each other. You are welcome to join for a day, week, month or even more.

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What happens when a teacher, rapper, artist, businessman and a librarian meet in Lushoto?

10 Oct 2019 by hakunamatatakashata

Jambo! Welcome to the newly created landing platform for the Tanzania Indigenous Environmental Management Organization (TIEMO). My name is Alex, I am a guest writer. I was warmly welcomed to Lushoto by Fredrick and we ended up creating a website for Fredrick’s and his partners NGO so that it and all of their various projects… Read more

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Tanzania Indigenous Environmental Management Organisation (TIEMO) is a non-profit organization based in Lushoto in the beautiful Usambara Mountains. Currently (10/2019) we are running the Friends of Literacy Library, the Asante Digital Learning Center, and the Asante Cafe. We teach locals to read, about environmentalism, digital skills, and creating more value from local resources. Volunteers from all around the world have joined in the effort, how about you?

Our mission is to excite Tanzanians to read, and to give them knowledge and skills to use the resources available to their best advantage while respecting the environment. We want to improve the life of the community in Lushoto, and everywhere in Tanzania.

Our different programs, activities and projects

Our biggest project has been the introduction of Lushoto district’s first and only public library. The library is our main tool for running and starting the following programs: the after school book clubs, the after school English club, the poetry club, the sports and games program, and the book camps.

In the future we will open a campsite, with a program for kids around the village who do not have the opportunity to go to school. The campsite will also serve as a home for volunteers.

The Asante Digital Learning Center was founded in 2019 to help locals obtain skills the modern world requires. At the Digital Learning Center we have a kindergarten program, after school programs, and also training for adults. Through the programs we teach English, computer studies, environmentalism, and arts.

The Asante Cafe is located right near the center of Lushoto, a seven minute walk from the bus station. At the cafe we offer organic coffee produced by local women from the community. We sell art, and hand crafted souvenirs and jewelry made by locals. We also have herbal teas, hibiscus, ginger, cardamon and cinnamon, lemon grass, and black pepper with cloves. We also have some small snacks. In the future we will be offering food, fruits and soft drinks. The cafe serves as a social point for locals and travelers (free wifi). We also have a book exchange shelf!

The future campsite is currently being built. The campsite is just a 15 minute walk from the famous Irente viewpoint. The region has many children who can not afford to go to school. The campsite will offer many of them a place to learn valuable skills, such as carving, weaving, painting, drumming and music. At the moment volunteers can help build the campsite, in the future they will be able to stay there.

Kitopeni primary school has a special unit for children with cognitive disability since 2016. At Asante Cafe you can buy bracelets and necklaces made by the children and all profits go to the school. We also arrange visits to and volunteering at the school. Currently there are only two teachers for 25 children with various special needs.