Celebrating Tai's 2024 Champions

In a world where youth strive for opportunities, university students often find it incredibly difficult to navigate the challenges of the 21st-century career market. Despite their talent, passion, and skills, the path to success is not always clear. At Tai, we see youth as catalysts for change, and volunteerism is deeply woven into our roots. We believe in the transformative power of empowering young people for a brighter future, and this drive to uplift youth with opportunities and expand their networks gave rise to the Tai Ambassadors Program.

This one-year initiative was designed to equip young people with the tools to thrive in various aspects of their lives. The program nurtured essential skills like coordination, organization, content creation, networking, and most importantly, how to use these talents to impact other youth. Through the American Film Series project, a collaboration between Tai and the US Embassy, a group of ten remarkable young individuals had the unique chance to mobilize fellow students for social impact. Through movie screenings and panel discussions, bringing communities together and engaging them in conversations about critical global issues.

On January 10, 2025, we celebrated the achievements of the first cohort of the Tai Ambassadors Program at an event attended by key figures, including Chad Morris, the U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer, Rehema Kalinga, Tai’s Executive Director, Ian Tarimo, Head of Operations at Tai, Ms. Debora Maboya, the Tai Ambassadors, and Team Tai. This was a moment to recognize the dedication and impact of the ambassadors who had worked hard throughout the year.

During the event, Tai Ambassadors Careen Mbati and James Gama shared how the program transformed their lives, opening doors to opportunities such as internships. Careen reflected on her growth, saying, “The program has allowed me to secure an internship as a project coordinator at Tai,” illustrating the program’s powerful impact on youth development.

Chad Morris emphasized the role of storytelling in shaping lives, highlighting how the American Film Series not only reflected American culture but resonated with universal themes. He reminded the audience, “No matter how small you are, you have a role to play,” underscoring the importance of every individual’s contribution to positive change. Additionally, Ian Tarimo spoke about the value of collaboration and seizing opportunities, reinforcing the program’s success in empowering youth.

The Tai Ambassadors Program proved to be a resounding success. Through their dedication, creativity, and hard work, the first cohort of ambassadors has impacted over 1,000 youth across Tanzania. The American Film Series Project, which featured monthly movie screenings followed by panel discussions with experts, tackled crucial topics like democracy, human trafficking, the elimination of slavery, Earth Day, and women’s empowerment. These discussions sparked deep reflection, shaped minds, and instilled a sense of responsibility among countless young people.

As we celebrate the achievements of the first cohort, we eagerly look forward to the second cohort of Tai Ambassadors. With their continued passion and commitment, we are confident that the program will keep elevating youth skills, empowering them to drive positive change and create an even brighter future. The journey of Tai Ambassadors is far from over, and together, we’ll keep shaping tomorrow’s leaders, one opportunity at a time.