Brilliant, kind, and dedicated, Tariro’s program coordinator Tafadzwa Muzhandu (right, shown with student Tatenda C.) has been honored with two fellowships!
I’m writing to share some wonderful news from Tariro! Our program director, Tafadzwa Muzhandu, has been selected to participate in the Community Solutions Program, administered by the United States Department of State. This unique program offers participants the opportunity to complete a four-month fellowship in the United States, working with a non-profit or governmental organization. By offering this type of professional development, the program intends to work toward positive change in areas such as women’s issues, conflict resolution, and accountability.
Worldwide, only 66 fellows are accepted into the Community Solutions Program each year. By accepting Fadzie as a fellow, the US Department of State has made a strong statement that she is among “the best and brightest global community leaders!” When I recently wrote to Fadzie to ask her what she was most excited about doing as a Community Solutions Program fellow, she replied:
The Community Solutions program is exciting because of the mentorship aspect. I think when you spend too much time in Zimbabwe, you get used to how difficult it to do anything and that sometimes limits your ability to think outside the box. I know this program will give me a new perspective, and will be refreshing to do something different. I am looking forward to meeting practitioners from all over the world and learn new ways of thinking and running projects like Tariro.
Fadzie will arrive in the United States on July 30th, and stay until December 7th. While she has not yet received the name of her hosting organization, I will post to the blog again as soon as we know where she will be.
In addition, Fadzie has received yet another invitation to visit the United States from Mount Holyoke College, which plans to bring her for a two-week residency organized by Professor Holly Hanson, with funding from the Mellon Foundation. During her time at Mount Holyoke, she will speak to students about her work with Tariro, as well as exploring the possibility of hosting student internships and research on the ground in Zimbabwe. She is currently working to schedule this visit in conjunction with her fellowship from the State Department.
Please help me in congratulating Fadzie on being awarded these two honors! You can pass your greetings and congratulations on to her by posting a comment on this post, or by posting a note on Tariro’s Facebook page.
