Meet Abdi our Programmes Manager
Abdi start with LTT in Jan 2023. As our first programmes manager to be Tanzanian and based in Tanzania it has been an exciting development in the journey of LTT. Julian, LTT director and founder interviewed Abdi for this article.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Abdallah and I am the new Programmes Manager with LTT. I have over six years of experience in community development and behaviour change in the non-profit sector.
I have gained most of my experience and knowledge through working with various local and international NGOs including Raleigh International.
Projects have included:
campaigning for climate change, focusing on changing the policy governing the use of sustainable energy and emphasizing tree planting efforts,
implementing a community environmental campaign focusing on “no deforestation”,
working as an Education lead Facilitator to educate school students about road safety,
advancing menstrual hygiene education and promoting adolescent reproductive health awareness to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and unwanted pregnancy among students.
entrepreneur educator in rural communities.
Through these experiences, I have developed strong public relations, campaign designing and project management skills. With a strong passion for community and youth development, I strive to achieve social impact.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the non-profit sector, and how has that inspiration informed your work at LTT?
My inspiration to pursue a career started when I was volunteering in rural communities of Tanzania, seeing the impact youth contributed, giving me a deeper understanding of the power young people have at driving change. I've always been passionate about community development initiatives and making a positive impact on people's lives through creating sustainable and systemic change. This inspiration has informed my work at LTT by motivating me to seek out innovative solutions to complex social challenges, and to work collaboratively with colleagues, partners, and communities to achieve our goals.
Why did you want to work for LTT?
I was drawn to LTT's mission to make a positive impact on people's lives through their programmes (i.e Education, Livelihoods, WASH, and Agriculture). The opportunity to work for an organization that is dedicated to creating positive social change together with the community on a huge scale was a huge draw for me. I was also impressed with the diversity of their programs, initiatives, and working methodology and the organization's commitment to ethical and sustainable practices which allows the community to have a sense of ownership of the programmes.
How are you finding it 2 months in?
Working for LTT has been a rewarding and challenging experience. I have had the opportunity to work on several different projects and collaborate with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. The organization's commitment to poverty alleviation and education is inspiring and motivates me to do my best work. At the same time, working in a complex global environment with diverse stakeholders can be challenging, and I am continually learning and adapting to new situations.
As I have always believed challenges provide the best out of a person, I intend to endure all the challenges that come my way to gain more knowledge and experience.
What are the biggest challenges you face in doing your job?
One of the biggest challenges I face is navigating the complex and inspiring global landscape in which LTT operates. This includes understanding and navigating cultural differences of the communities, navigating legal and regulatory programmes frameworks, and managing diverse partner relationships within the country. Another challenge is ensuring that our programs and initiatives are responsive to the needs of the communities we serve and align with our organizational values and mission. Finally, as a remote worker, I sometimes find it challenging to stay connected with my team and maintain a strong sense of collaboration and communication, particularly across different time zones.