Jithubutu adapts to new challenges
More creativity, new initiatives, but always the same commitment
01 JUNE 2025
In social projects, moving forward also means adapting. Contexts change, difficulties arise, and new needs appear, but the commitment stays the same. Today, Jithubutu tells us how they have faced these last few months with creativity, perseverance, and the desire to keep offering opportunities to their community.
These past months have been marked by a lot of movement, both positive and challenging. As a centre, we continue to grow and adapt to a reality that doesn’t always make things easy. Here’s what has been happening:
🚍 WHEN GETTING TO THE CENTRE BECOMES A CHALLENGE
Every day we keep track of attendance at our classes, and we make follow-up calls if we notice unexcused absences. In this most recent period, we noticed an unusual drop in attendance. When we called our students, the main reason they gave us was the rising cost of transport.
What used to cost 500 TZS now costs 1,000, about €0.35, due to the increase in fuel prices. This may seem like a small change to us, but it is a real hardship for many of our students, who in many cases cannot afford it.
As a centre, we cannot cover this cost directly, but we can stay firm on something essential: continuing to offer free access to all of our activities so that no one is left out.
On the other hand, these challenges make us stronger and more creative. We have innovated in our workshops, incorporating new materials, dynamics, and activities. The results have been incredible.
In addition, we have started developing new ideas and ways to promote Jithubutu and make it more visible, so that we can reach more people and keep growing as a community.
🇫🇷 FRENCH: WE KEEP PRACTISING, JUST IN A DIFFERENT WAY
At the moment, we are not in a position to offer formal French classes, but that doesn’t mean learning has stopped. So, when we lack instructors, we keep practising, just in a different way:
French conversation, every Friday. We have opened a space where anyone interested can come to practise French, chat in a relaxed setting, and build confidence. It’s a freer, more personal, and highly participatory format. Bienvenue!
🇩🇪 GERMAN: FROM A ONE-OFF TO A PERMANENT FIXTURE
What began as an intensive, temporary experience has become a regular activity at the centre.
When our volunteer Franzi joined the project, we were finally able, for the first time at Jithubutu, to start German classes. The experience was so positive for everyone that what was meant to be a two-month intensive course was extended to three. And, given the growing interest and the many requests to continue the classes, one of our members, who has full command of the language, has taken over the continuation of the project.
German is now taught two days a week, and it’s here to stay.
✈️ FIRST GROUPS ARRIVE DESPITE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES
Despite the current difficulties with travel (rising fuel prices, flights, and the general transport situation), we have been able to welcome the first groups of this period. They shared dance classes and time together with us, and enjoyed a very special interaction with our kids before setting off on their safaris.
Experiences that continue to give meaning to everything we do.
Thank you for continuing to travel. Thank you for daring to come.
