“Sawa World Solution videos were so simple yet so effective,” marvels Lonny Chen, International Chairman of Tanzania’s Morogoro Youth Development Initiative (MOYODEI).  MOYODEI participated in Sawa World’s 2015 expansion pilot project in Tanzania, South Sudan, and Kenya, and is now a Sawa partner.  The aim is to support local solutions in 42 of the world’s poorest countries by 2030 and to empower 1 billion people living in extreme poverty.

Chen needed lasting solutions to challenges faced by youth in his community who had little access to education and employment opportunities. MOYODEI already offered great services like team sports, computer training, and a peer support club for girls. But much more was needed.

“Sawa World gave us ideas to create a path for our youth, to learn skills that actually improve their lives,” explains Chen.  Local youth watched the Solution Videos and studied Learning Posters provided by Sawa. Then they got busy, establishing small enterprises that craft paper bags, sanitary pads, and soap. Beneficiaries like Hamza Msimbe and Mariam Lupinda are grateful; they produce anywhere from 400-600 bags monthly. Hamza earns enough to feed his family, and Mariam, previously a street food vendor, now stays home with her three children. She’s trained 10 others to make bags. Since 2015, MOYODEI has been using Sawa’s job creation and training model for youth with great success. “It’s improved our thinking of what a model should be for vulnerable youth,” notes Chen.

Click here to meet MOYODEI and observe Sawa’s impact.