Tigo Tanzania has partnered with Swedish non-profit organization Reach for Change to launch the ‘Tigo Reach for Change’ initiative in a move that will identify and support local social entrepreneurs with solid ideas on improving the lives of Tanzanian children.
According to Tigo Tanzania General Manager Mr. Diego Gutierrez, “Statistics show that children less than 18 years of age constitute almost half of Tanzania’s population. But to date the investment in addressing their needs is not proportionate with their share of the population or their role as tomorrow’s leaders and human capital. Investing in children is the single most important investment in national development’’.
Mr. Gutierrez added that “Tigo has for many years been deeply involved in addressing challenges concerning children and youth in Tanzania. We believe the most effective way to bring about sustainable change is to empower motivated individuals with the right tools to bring to life innovative ideas that can change their society. Tigo Reach for Change initiative allows us to do just that!”
Those interested can apply online on the Tigo Tanzania website. Top ideas will join a three year incubator programme to help transform the ideas into sustainable ventures and will receive funding of USD 25,000 a year for up to three years, as well as mentoring and professional advice from senior employees of Tigo.
For the duration of the 3 years programme the social entrepreneur’s business idea will undergo evaluation to ensure that they attain required key performance indicators until their project is fully developed and self-sustainable.
Tigo last year, received over 1000 applications and selected three projects aimed at giving children with disabilities vocational skills; mobile classes for street children; and a project aimed at bridging the rural-urban digital divide.