Intern Spotlight: From The U.S. to Tanzania; A Global Perspective

The Fresh Air Fund recently had the opportunity to work with Ngojea Kitinusa, the co-founder and managing director of Every Child Tanzania, a community-based leadership organization that inspires youth to create social impact. Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship program, Ngojea interned with The Fresh Air Fund’s Community Outreach, Partnerships & Support Services (COSS) department to learn about how The Fund helps youth build lasting connections with nature while developing essential life skills, and how he can advance this work in his own organization.  

How did you start your career in youth development work?  

My journey began because I grew up in rural Tanzania as an orphan. Access to opportunities was very minimal, and access to college education was even worse. I was very lucky to have a community-based organization and support from my grandmother growing up. With that support, I finished high school and graduated with a university degree, earning certificates in education and leadership. This background cultivated my purpose and passion for wanting to come back and support my community in the same way I was supported. I co-founded Every Child Tanzania with the mission of empowering and inspiring young people to become the change makers in their own communities.  

Every Child Tanzania started in 2018, and we have supported 120 students from primary school to secondary and universities. We have students who have graduated now and are working and have also supported more than 100 small community projects.  

How did you connect with The Fresh Air Fund? 

I joined the Washington Mandella Fellowship and came to the U.S. from Tanzania in 2022. Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina hosted The Washington Mandella Fellowship’s six-week leadership institute and through that program, I was able to become an intern with The Fresh Air Fund. The program takes fellows through three areas, civic engagement, public management, and business, which includes six weeks of in-person training. They also offer Professional Development Experiences that pair fellows with public, private and non-profit organizations to broaden perspectives and position U.S. organizations for international engagement and partnership. 

Can you share more about Every Child Tanzania? What is the mission of the organization? 

Every Child Tanzania hosts several programs. We have student sponsorships, leadership camps, community development projects and teacher training. We have a 67-acre farm where students come for six weeks and also learn entrepreneurship and innovation, computer skills and connect with one another. They also can participate in an internship to gain experience in their areas of interest. Lastly, we offer teacher training in the same program to give fresh graduates the opportunity to come to our firm and put their experiences and skills into practice. 

Why do you think it is important for youth to have access to programs like The Fresh Air Fund? 

I met some of the youth who had attended The Fresh Air Fund’s summer camps and leadership programs. One of the examples they shared was that when they first started, they were very shy and didn’t open up or talk to other children, but that by the time they finished, they were able to explore newfound interests, make friends and develop social skills.  

It is very important for all youth to participate in extracurricular activities outside of a school, because that’s where they are most innovative. They are able to open their minds and challenge each other or possibly work together on a certain project. For Tanzanian children, it is important because it offers a space – despite many challenges going on in the world such as mental health crises, diseases and poverty — for young people to find their interest in whatever they believe in. 

What is your favorite memory from working with The Fresh Air Fund?  

I love that there is so much diversity at The Fresh Air Fund. For me, professionally and personally, it’s helped me develop insights on how to bring more diversity back to Every Child Tanzania, so that we can invite different perspectives that can help us build a stronger institution.  

Everyone at The Fresh Air Fund just has a deep love for learning and sharing knowledge. One of the memories I will take away is of the people dedicating their time to sharing their experience working at The Fresh Air Fund, but also, the youth that I met and everyone who was very key to my program — I really appreciate them and I’m so grateful for the opportunity.  

I want to thank the whole Fresh Air Fund for giving me an opportunity to be part of this program. It is an experience that I think will stay with me forever. 

Photos courtesy of Ngojea Kitinusa.