Abubakar (Abu) Omar Yeye was born in the small village of Kilole in Korogwe district at the foot of Mt Usambara. He attended Mazoezi primary school and joined with Galanos secondary school for O-level secondary education. After his secondary education, he then joined The Professional Tour Guide College in Arusha. There, he completed his education and began to work as a tour guide before starting his own safari company in 2019. Upon reflection, Abu is driven to social justice because he was born and raised in a small and poor family. It was always his dream to support both his family and community. He says, “During my education journey, I was kicked out of school several times because of the lack of the school fees. My primary school and many schools had no water, not enough toilet pits, and many girls in our community dropped out of school because of lack of sanitary pads and early pregnancies. All these reasons pushed me to found the Hisani Foundation. We believe wholeheartedly that Hisani Foundation can bring changes and reduce these challenges facing our communities.”
Hassan Aufi is a social worker on a mission to make a positive impact on society He is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Social Work at the Open University of Tanzania. He also holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology and Social Work and has extensive experience as a child protection specialist & welfare expert. He also was responsible for establishing Kidege Consultancy & Capacity Building Services. He is a highly regarded Psychosocial support expert and Socio-Economic Analyst. He holds expertise in career advising and research, having published articles on his findings. In Hassan’s words, “I got into social work because I’ve always had a passion for helping others and making a positive impact in my community. Seeing the struggles and challenges that many people face, especially those marginalized or in vulnerable situations, motivated me to pursue a career where I could actively contribute to their well-being and advocate for their rights. Regarding Hisani Foundation, I was drawn to this project because of its holistic approach to addressing social issues and its commitment to empowering individuals and communities. The foundation’s mission aligns with my values and goals as a social worker, emphasizing the importance of compassion, inclusivity, and sustainable change. Working with Hisani Foundation allows me to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations to implement impactful programs and initiatives that address the root causes of social problems. It provides me with the opportunity to utilize my skills and expertise to create meaningful change and improve the lives of those in need.”
Lauren Treitman is the US based CEO of Hisani Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire. Lauren is extremely passionate about international social work and improving the lives of others. While she is not traveling between the US and Tanzania, she is a therapist with a specialty in grief, trauma, executive dysfunction, life coaching, anxiety and depression. Lauren is particularly drawn to social justice and has been involved with several human rights groups including Amnesty International and by herself, founded a local chapter of Black Lives Matter. Lauren says, “I am particularly drawn to and interested in working in Tanzania after living in Arusha in my early teenage years. The people I met and the experiences I had while immersed in and engaged with the community changed my life. With the education I have now, I believe that I can make a difference, or at least inspire people around me to do so. I love Tanzania with all my heart, it is nyumbani.”
Ann Nthigah’s journey started when she completed her secondary education and knew she wanted to pursue a career in Tourism as she had a passion for meeting new people. Ann then enrolled in Tourism college and obtained an Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism. She began her career as a lodge receptionist in Arusha in 2005 before being promoted to lodge manager in 2010. She stayed in this role until 2016 when she transitioned into a new job as a tour consultant for 5 years. Ann and her husband, Abu launched their own tour company, Longway Expeditions. Ann is driven to social justice because she was born into a large family and was one of 8 siblings. Watching her parents struggle to raise a large family without stable income, she knew from a young age that she wanted to do something to give back to her community. In Ann’s words, “I have a passion to assist the less fortunate and as a woman and a mother I know what it feels not to be able to provide for your kids with just the basic needs.”
Lulu M currently holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business. Her journey has been quite diverse, starting in Tanzania where she grew up in a business-oriented family. Over the years, she has had the chance to live and work in various European countries, which has ignited a deep passion for business within her. For the past 3 years, she has had the privilege of working at some of biggest multinational companies. Besides her professional pursuits, she finds immense joy in traveling and exploring new places, as well as creating delicious meals with her family and friends when she’s not on the move. Lulu is drawn to social justice and returns to Tanzania often. In her words, “I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Hisani team. Tanzania holds an incredibly special place in my heart. Growing up in such a remarkable country, I’ve come to appreciate its beauty and potential. Now, I feel compelled to contribute to shaping a better future for the next generation.”
Ms. Charlotte Mwaigwisya currently is employed as an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and subordinate Courts thereto save for the primary Court. She also works in social and economic organizations to help raise awareness on social and economical betterment projects. She has previously worked with Girl Up Club under the UN Foundation. Charlotte has fostered a lifelong passion for bettering and changing lives of young girls and people living in poverty. According to Charlotte, “I believe my passion can be far more expounded through Hisani Foundation.”