Founder
F B F Founder's Note
The youth constitute over 70 percent of the population in Tanzania. This means the power to drive development in communities and nation at large is in the hands of the youth. Nonetheless, youth unemployment remains a major challenge. The growing rates of economy and education have not translated into productive and decent employment significant in alleviating poverty.
Skills mismatch is a challenge young people face as they seek employment. There are millions of youths ready to work yet businesses need skills these young people never got. Young people experience difficult school to work transition while businesses are unable to find suitable candidates for their positions.
Necessary life and entrepreneurship skills including self – awareness skills, critical and creative thinking skills, decision making skills, effective communication, and entrepreneurship skills are not readily included in our school curriculums yet in a constantly changing environment, such skills are an essential part of being able to meet the challenges of everyday life, drive transformative growth, obtain decent work, and sustainably build economic growth to combat poverty.
After working with youth in different public and private schools in Tanzania and attending different leadership programs such as: YALI (Young African Leadership Initiative) East Africa Regional Leadership Centre, You Lead Africa, and being a member of One Young Africa Community, I got inspired to establish Firm Beginnings Foundation. I realized a need for a support system for the youth through programs which equip them with necessary and practical life skills while being coached with mentors from different professions and industries of business.
We firmly believe that, positively transforming our communities will begin with empowering our youth!
Joycelyn Umbulla.
Founder and Executive Director.
