Photo credit: Amila Sadic
By Amila Sadic, MAGG
These past few weeks have been action-packed! The end of the year is very busy for FUNGUO as this is the time that they select the next cohort of investees!
To get a better understanding of what FUNGUO UNDP does, I will use the example of their previous investee- Soma Bags Limited. Soma Bags designs, manufactures and sells African stylish solar schoolbags made from 70% up-cycled materials like empty cement sacks. The solar bags charge electronic devices and come with a light bulb that produces light for up to 8 hours daily. School children that live in areas that lack electricity can now use Soma Bags to study after daylight! FUNGUO invests in companies that focus on innovation and sustainability, like Soma Bags, and encourages catalytic funding. Catalytic funding acts as an initial investment that reduces the perceived risk for other investors by demonstrating the viability of a project.
This year was FUNGUO’s third cohort of investees and required a proper unveiling event! My role was coordinate with the communications and media team to assure the event had full media coverage and that everything ran smoothly. At the event, I got to hear from the UNDP Resident Representative, the EU Head of Delegation, and Minister of Information ICT and Communication! The event was accompanied by a contemporary “flash-mob” style dance showcasing the new investees and their products.
I have attended a handful of events as a FUNGUO representative this past month. Some of these include: Save the Children Tanzania- Localization Strategy Refresh; Tanzania Innovation Ecosystem Forum, and a Japan International Cooperation Agency workshop. International organization collaboration is very strong in Dar Es Salaam, hence my attendance at many events!
Currently, I am preparing for the Annual National Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Conference and Exhibition (STICE). The STICE events enable the STI community to showcase the results of scientific research, and technological development and deliberate on a theme by showcasing research and innovation products. I am working with the Partnerships team at FUNGUO on a session that FUNGUO and its partners will be holding at STICE. Stay tuned!
Beyond work, I was able to sneak-away for a weekend and visit Zanzibar! I have never been to a beach as crystal clear as Nungwi Beach! In Zanzibar, I got to swim with dolphins, snorkel and explore the reef, visit Mnemba Island’s white sand back, and hunt for starfish! It was truly a breath-taking experience that helped me re-charge for a busy end-of-year of activities. Surprisingly, there were no mosquitoes, but beware of the crows! They are very vicious and will steal your food if you look away even for a second. I was the unfortunate victim of a pancake stealing crow experience!
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the BSIA, its students, faculty, staff, or Board of Directors.