Pamoja Tunaweza Grand Opening Celebration at the new building March 8, 2011

March 8, 2011 was International Women's day and we chose that day to be the grand opening of our new women's centre in Moshi, Tanzania. We are sadly leaving our old location on Arusha Road. There were many firsts that occurred there and we have fond memories. The new centre is a powerful new beginning for us. We were able to purchase the land and building through the generous donation of a Tanzanian-Canadian man named Sadru Mohamedali and his wife Khairoon. We also thank his extended family, Nina and Imi Moloo and their sons Husein, Ali and Raheem for their ongoing support. We hope they will visit the centre one day in the near future so they can see the gift they have given us.

The day started off with special announcements and greetings and then we had dancing from a group of young men from a vocational training program called Mkombozi. They perform dancing and acrobatics. They were a crowd pleaser! We also had dancing from our business training and microfinance group from Chekereni Village. These women (and 1 man!) danced for us and sang in the traditional Tanzanian way. We felt so honored that they chose to participate in the grand opening in that way.

I told a bit of the history of the centre and our relationship to CACHA and Kilimanajro Women Information Exchange and Consultancy Organization. I wanted people to know where we started and how far we had come. I know that we also have a long way to go and wish I had a lot more resources to do more for our clients and the community. I really felt the presence of our motto 'one woman at a time' as I looked out over all of those women at the grand opening whose lives we have touched over the last 3 years. I also need to thank my dedicated staff and volunteers who work hard to keep us going and believe so much in what we do.
I will append some pictures of that beautiful day and will try to attach some videos either to this site or via YouTube. The dancing really was amazing.

We provided a delicious Tanzanian buffet and cake. There was champagne popped and a ribbon cutting....the ladies from Chekereni cut the ribbon and then broke into the most amazing dancing and ululation....I stood there and wept. I was home.