Project Report
| Mar 3, 2026
From learners to creators
By Witness Shangali | Program Officer
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Twende has continued to transform grassroot innovators to design and create technology-driven solutions that address local challenges across agriculture, digital security and green innovation. From learning design thinking fundamentals to producing working prototypes, participants are moving from passive learners to active technology creators.
Key achievements
- 39 youth trained in design thinking, prototyping and entrepreneurship
Working prototypes developed include:
- Paper pulper machine
- Miracula plastics
- Sungu Sungu Security alert
- Soap Boiler Machine
- Fruits dryer
Each project reflects a locally identified challenge from post-harvest losses facing smallholder farmers, to security threats, to plastic and paper waste polluting Arusha streets.
Impact
- Inspired a growing culture of creativity and community-led change across Tanzania
- Built innovators confidence in hands-on activities, and shift in mindset.
Nov 10, 2025
Empowered Innovators
By Epifania Peter Wilbard | Director of Programs
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Twende has continued to empower grassroot innovators to design and prototype technology-driven solutions that address local challenges in energy, agriculture, and climate change
Key Achievements
- 37 youth trained in design thinking, prototyping, and business modelling.
working prototypes developed, including:
- Vegetable Slicer – Efficiently slices vegetables to reduce preparation time and food waste.
- Crisps Maker – Produces quality potato crisps for small-scale food businesses.
- Chickpeas Thresher – Separates chickpeas from pods quickly and cleanly.
- Beans Thresher – Streamlines the threshing process to save labor and time for farmers.
Impact
- Strengthened technical, entrepreneurial, and problem-solving skills among participants.
- Inspired a culture of creativity and innovation among grassroots innovators.
Thanks to your generous support through GlobalGiving, grassroot innovators are gaining the skills, confidence, and opportunities to become community problem-solvers and change-makers across Tanzania.
Jul 11, 2025
Empowering Tanzanian Communities Through Innovation
By Epifania Peter Wilbard | Director of Programs
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As part of Twende’s broader mission to empower Tanzanian communities through technical innovation, this initiative focuses on equipping especially youth with hands-on technology and problem-solving skills. By fostering creativity and practical learning, the program enables participants to design and develop solutions that address real-life challenges in their communities.
Impact and Community Engagement
Through the Creative Capacity Building (CCB) program, we have successfully engaged numerous communities across Tanzania. Participants,many of whom are youth who have contributed unique perspectives and a strong sense of purpose to our makerspace. Their dedication has led to the creation of impactful, community-driven projects that respond to local needs.
Key Achievements
This initiative has driven meaningful outcomes, including:
Youth Internship & Mentorship
Offering a structured internship that includes mentorship and coaching for youth who spend significant time at Twende, developing technological innovations.
Access to Innovation Tools
Provision of essential tools and materials to support sustained prototyping and innovation.
Development of Community-Oriented Technologies
Participants have designed and built functional, locally appropriate technologies, such as:
Solar Dryer: Used to dry fruits and vegetables, reducing post-harvest loss.
Potato Planter: A motor-powered tool that simplifies the process of planting potatoes.
Plastering Machine: A motorized solution that reduces manual labor and time required for house plastering.
Automatic Milking Device: Eases the milking process by reducing human effort and saving time.
These technologies not only address real-world challenges but also highlight the creativity and technical capacity of our participants especially youth are the tomorrow’s problem solvers