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ABOUT THE PROJECT
As the result of a generous donation from Dr. Colin Nelson (a prominent Victoria-based eye surgeon), the Nelson Family Microbusiness Fund was established in 2009, in cooperation with Royal Roads University. The purpose of this fund is to improve the poor economic conditions in and around Mwika in Northern Tanzania by funding the start-up of three new poverty-alleviating microbusinesses in the rural communities.
A team of Royal Roads learners (accompanied by Dr. Nelson) travelled to Tanzania in the spring of 2010 to learn more about the needs of the villages and assess various business ideas. Opportunities under consideration include…
The Nelson Family Microbusiness Fund is now providing $15,000 in seed funding for Royal Roads graduates to move to Tanzania for four months, further assess business viability and turn the most promising ideas into functioning enterprises. Once established, these businesses will be transitioned to local ownership, generating employment and creating re-investable wealth to help alleviate the extreme poverty in these rural communities.
THE NEED
Tanzanians are proud people, rich in heritage and culture, but prohibited from
development due to demographics and economic challenges. They face many
challenges beyond their control. While great strides have been made around the
development of orphanages and schools (all commen-dable initiatives), the
long-term strength of the community is in sustainable economic development.
While the lack of business knowledge and skills, and dependency on poor or
obsolete technology severely hinder business development in Tanzania, the
biggest constraint is access to financing. Most lending institutions operate
mainly in urban centres, thus restricting accessibility for the rural poor
(which constitute 90% of the population). Empowered with resources and tools
that allow them to earn an income, the people of Mwika will have the opportunity to overcome the poverty of their daily lives and to make a difference in the lives of others.
As the result of a generous donation from Dr. Colin Nelson (a prominent Victoria-based eye surgeon), the Nelson Family Microbusiness Fund was established in 2009, in cooperation with Royal Roads University. The purpose of this fund is to improve the poor economic conditions in and around Mwika in Northern Tanzania by funding the start-up of three new poverty-alleviating microbusinesses in the rural communities.
A team of Royal Roads learners (accompanied by Dr. Nelson) travelled to Tanzania in the spring of 2010 to learn more about the needs of the villages and assess various business ideas. Opportunities under consideration include…
The Nelson Family Microbusiness Fund is now providing $15,000 in seed funding for Royal Roads graduates to move to Tanzania for four months, further assess business viability and turn the most promising ideas into functioning enterprises. Once established, these businesses will be transitioned to local ownership, generating employment and creating re-investable wealth to help alleviate the extreme poverty in these rural communities.
THE NEED
Tanzanians are proud people, rich in heritage and culture, but prohibited from
development due to demographics and economic challenges. They face many
challenges beyond their control. While great strides have been made around the
development of orphanages and schools (all commen-dable initiatives), the
long-term strength of the community is in sustainable economic development.
While the lack of business knowledge and skills, and dependency on poor or
obsolete technology severely hinder business development in Tanzania, the
biggest constraint is access to financing. Most lending institutions operate
mainly in urban centres, thus restricting accessibility for the rural poor
(which constitute 90% of the population). Empowered with resources and tools
that allow them to earn an income, the people of Mwika will have the opportunity to overcome the poverty of their daily lives and to make a difference in the lives of others.
| ■ | Chicken incubator/egg supply business |
| ■ | Village tourism business |
| ■ | Microfranchise chain of hair salons that are well supplied and also perform basic eye exams (a badly needed service for African women) |
| ■ | Sewing business that would manufacture school uniforms and mosquito nets to help fight the spread of malaria (one of the most prevalent health risks in Tanzania) |
