Dogodogo Multipurpose Training Center

On January 4th, 2023, Rhajabou and PoHEO volunteer Owen visited Dogodogo multipurpose training center in Bunju, Dar es Salaam. Dogodogo, which translates to 'little by little', speacilizes in training young adults to learn social, emotional and workforce skills like woodwork, farming, tailoring and welding. There are also younger kids at dogodogo who are orphans or underprivleged children who attend to Dogodogo school and study.

When arriving, we met with the director who showed us around the large compound. When you enter, you see the woodworking shop filled with chairs and tables and the smell of sawdust. The young adults built all the beautiful furniture for the trainng center including tables, chairs and desks. Not far from the wood shop is the welding area, with loads of fence materials and various metals. There is also a number of classrooms for math, history, english and more.

Rhajabu introduces our group and give the math teacher a break, rattling off a couple of math problems for the students to answer. They eagerly raise their hands and come up to the board to solve the equations Rhajabu wrote down.

Next, we checked out the farm plots. I was amazed to see (as pictured) pig pens, lambs, goats, cows, and chickens. They use the animals for food for the center, as well as sell animal products. It's extremely helpful to Dogodogo for training and self sufficiency. There is a seperate section with agriculture, like corn and greens, that the young adults were tasked with. To finish off the tour, we visited the tailoring room where students learn to make a variety of bags and clothes. I was amazed by the quality and craftsmanship shown. The director said they sell the bags and clothes at local markets for program funding.

As we were passing by one of the classrooms, the director pointed out a young child age 7 who had been there for a couple months. The child was leading the class in their English lesson pointing at the board signaling his classmates to read the word. The director told us when he first came he was antisocial with his peers and teachers and did not engage in classes. Dogodogo does offer counseling and were able to help him. I was suprised to see how such a young child enjoys leading class with confidence.

Dogodogo has many empty classrooms that they do not have the staff or funds to finish. They do get support from the local churches and community, however Dogodogo still struggles with a multitude of challenges and, like so many Tannzania non-profits, needs day to day support to stay afloat.

PoHEO works with Dogodogo through collaborative efforts, recruiting at-riak children that need resources, services and training to the center. At the same time, PoHEO has the capacity to write collaborative grants that Dogodogo cannot access on their own, but can play a critical role as a partner.