Global Changemakers

It was 10am on 13 August 2010; I opened my Darecha email account to read emails as usual. At the beginning there were no any new emails but few seconds later I received a very encouraging email:

“I would like to say thank you again and again first to be a member of Darecha family real am proudly of it, the knowledge that I have got during the training its unique I will never thought such a thing I would like to say thanks to Darecha was made me. The knowledge and experience about entrepreneurship, life skills in all how to share idea with others there a lot brothers… Right now am prepared for form six national exams in all I would like thanks again and again” by James Aloyce, Finalist Darecha 2010

In 2010, Darecha brought together 20 talented finalists from a pool of hundreds of applicants from all over Tanzania. They were very enthusiastic, energetic and passionate to learn entrepreneurship from a team of exceptional young entrepreneurs (Edwin, Sifael, Alfred, Ambele and Lusekelo). On 14 August 2010, the day of the Grand Event, finalists presented their business ideas, then three of them were chosen by a panel of successful entrepreneurs as top winners.

Here is what young entrepreneurs responded on their experience with Darecha:

Gloria Nkane, the first winner of Darecha 2010 who presented the idea of starting a company that will supply water from deep bore well with the use of solar panel said:

“I was so much excited and my heart was full of happiness when it was announced that I won the contest as a number one winner. At first, I did not believe that it was me who won the contest! My whole family was very happy for my success. Now I know that nothing is impossible. Thank you DARECHA for your commitments to the Youth. Thanks and regards.”

Sylvester Chigwala, the second winner who presented the idea of installing Solar Panels in his community had the following to share:

“I’m glad I did participate in this challenge as it has unleash some entrepreneurial potentials in me, which I believe is most important thing in making positive changes in my society and making further step forward toward becoming an entrepreneur. My gratitude thanks to all the DARECHA team, the founder of the competition Mr. Julius Shirima and the sponsors of the challenge British Council and Global Changemakers for making the competition possible.”

Lastly, Ester Minja, the third winner who presented the idea of establishing high quality and profitable public toilets in the cities had the following good news to share with us:

“I’m so happy for being the winner I would likes to thank the Almighty GOD for giving me health and confidence to participate and present at the competition, also I thank my guardian,my friends for supporting me when I was thinking about this competition. Last but not least to all DARECHA team.”

Finally, Darecha team would like to thank all participants, guests and individuals who contributed to the success of this year project. We thank you British Council-Global Changemakers for trusting us. We promise to always produce excellent results. Soon Darecha will launch the first ever “entrepreneurial magazine for youth” in Tanzania, we look forward to receive your support in this send us your ideas or connections at applications@darecha.org

—Julius James Shirima, Global Changemaker