How it all started ...
In March 2008, Tanja Akena travelled for the first time to Gulu in Northern Uganda. A pastor introduced her to a group of women.
The church organized a project that was aimed at enabling the women to earn their own living conditions and for their children.
The women had learned to make paper beads out of coloured paper strips. They had already produced a large quantity of beads, hoping that I would find ways to sell them. What they didn't know; I was no businesswoman at all.
Tanja tells her story: "During that time I was working for a large NGO in Uganda, serving them as a tourist coordinator and guide.
I did often wearing the paper beads myself, and the tourists wanted to buy some for themselves and their beloved ones at home.
I ordered more and more necklaces from the Northern Ugandan women and sold them to the guests. I did sent all profit from the sales to Gulu and received great feedback from the women. They told me over and over again that their children could now go to school and the family was able to build a new hut etc. Even more, because of these new opportunities they were able to upgrade their daily diet of porridge with beans. But the most impressive to me was, the change in their appearance, their nature and the glow in their faces and gladness in their eyes. To see how they did walk upright now, to know that they and their children can sustain themselves, to have hope and dreams again. The phrase "You've made me into someone again!" has not gone out of my head.
Therefore, we called our association: “From Nobody to Somebody”.
Our objective is to support those women so they can encounter their dignity, self-respect and value again.
The church organized a project that was aimed at enabling the women to earn their own living conditions and for their children.
The women had learned to make paper beads out of coloured paper strips. They had already produced a large quantity of beads, hoping that I would find ways to sell them. What they didn't know; I was no businesswoman at all.
Tanja tells her story: "During that time I was working for a large NGO in Uganda, serving them as a tourist coordinator and guide.
I did often wearing the paper beads myself, and the tourists wanted to buy some for themselves and their beloved ones at home.
I ordered more and more necklaces from the Northern Ugandan women and sold them to the guests. I did sent all profit from the sales to Gulu and received great feedback from the women. They told me over and over again that their children could now go to school and the family was able to build a new hut etc. Even more, because of these new opportunities they were able to upgrade their daily diet of porridge with beans. But the most impressive to me was, the change in their appearance, their nature and the glow in their faces and gladness in their eyes. To see how they did walk upright now, to know that they and their children can sustain themselves, to have hope and dreams again. The phrase "You've made me into someone again!" has not gone out of my head.
Therefore, we called our association: “From Nobody to Somebody”.
Our objective is to support those women so they can encounter their dignity, self-respect and value again.
Foundation From Nobody to Somebody e.V. - Germany
From Nobody to Somebody’s objective is to give widows and orphans in Uganda new hope and a good future.
- Giving orphaned children a loving home
- Helping women to be able to take care of themselves by selling paper beads
- Paying school fees and thus giving children the chance to get a better future
- Granting micro credits to women to foster self-employment activities
- Constructing a school and orphanages
- Helping the poorest of the poor through practical assistance, such as provision of food, mattresses and the renewal of thatched roofs
What is our project Goal ...
With this project we are going to realize one of our wildest dreams. Building a Secondary school for girls in this region.
Many girls are just hanging around not knowing what to do with their life. Quite often resulting in becoming the mother of a child at their 14th year of living. Having the opportunity to get education at Secondary school level will give them the possibility to divide themselves from the crowd, to become someone with great opportunities and a future of taking care of themselves and even their family. However within an area of many kilometers there isn't a quality Secondary school available and even if there would be; the family should have the money to send them to such school.
Last year we became - almost by incident - in contact with Mr. Henk Koppelaar director of Quintessence MC in
The Netherlands who instantly grabbed the idea and started to work with us to realize our dream. And now, less then one year after the first contact we have a full designed project and even already started with the realization of it.
If you want to become a partner in this project click here.
Many girls are just hanging around not knowing what to do with their life. Quite often resulting in becoming the mother of a child at their 14th year of living. Having the opportunity to get education at Secondary school level will give them the possibility to divide themselves from the crowd, to become someone with great opportunities and a future of taking care of themselves and even their family. However within an area of many kilometers there isn't a quality Secondary school available and even if there would be; the family should have the money to send them to such school.
Last year we became - almost by incident - in contact with Mr. Henk Koppelaar director of Quintessence MC in
The Netherlands who instantly grabbed the idea and started to work with us to realize our dream. And now, less then one year after the first contact we have a full designed project and even already started with the realization of it.
If you want to become a partner in this project click here.
The Board of From Nobody to Somebody e.V. in Germany
The Board of From Nobody to Somebody e.V. in Germany is formed by the following representatives:
- Ms. Tanja Akena - Chair
- Mr. Thomas Poetz - Vice chairperson
- Ms. Petra zur Nieden - Treasurer
One of the sources of income for the operating costs of the work in Uganda is to organize custom made Safari's.
If you are interested in such option, check out the following page to get more information.
If you are interested in such option, check out the following page to get more information.
If you want to visit the project and/or want to go on
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