It is just over a year since Julieth Godwin began her apprenticeship with Busega Scotland. This is a pilot project, and Julieth is our first apprentice. One of the most upsetting features of Tanzania is the waste of young talent. Whether this is due to failings in the educational system or a lack of opportunities for meaningful employment or training. This is not our opinion alone but it is what Tanzanians are saying themselves.

It is that context that we introduced the apprenticeship, to allow on the job experience to be obtained in preparation for a career in social welfare. There is a gamble in providing such an opportunity, as employers may not recognise this unconventional route.

As far as Julieth is concerned, she worked very hard to build up relevant knowledge, skills and experience. She had four placements; in micro-credit, co-leading a women’s group, teaching in a street girl’s project and as a leader in a youth project. There was also a research assignment (see website post on 270518 – Research points the way forward) and the planning of a seminar at which she presented her research as the keynote speaker.

Julieth is currently completing a portfolio that she can use in applying for jobs. The job hunt will not be easy but with Julieth’s personality, ability and the apprenticeship behind her we are all hopeful.

While readers will empathise with her struggle as a universal one there are also the demands of being a single parent, in a country where state support does not exist. Despite our time in the country I’m not sure we understand at all what it takes to be resilient, and remain positive, in the face of life’s challenges for ordinary Tanzanians. What we do know is that it requires extraordinary personal qualities and Busega Scotland is there to do what it can.