Tell us about your background?
At 16 my Dad took me out of school for a year to travel around Russia, Nepal and India, which had a profound impact on me. I returned to the UK for a bit and started studying mostly online while still travelling for a degree, then masters and then short courses in International Development, Global Learning and child rights’ in practice.
Why Tanzania?
I travelled to east Africa at 18 and a few times after that. My degree was also very much focused on this region of the world. I originally booked a one way ticket to Tanzania and well over 10 years later, two kids and founding an NGO, I’m still here. I absolutely love this wonderful country.
Tell us how Pamoja Leo came about?
Pamoja Leo’s mission was quite a simple one, how do we help babies stay in families and not orphanages? When I discovered that most children in orphanages around the world had families and that poverty, lack of support and bad charity practices were driving kids into orphanages, I really felt like there was a need to do better.
The number one reason a baby ends up in an orphanage for example was if their mum died and their extended family couldn’t afford the milk to feed them. So Pamoja Leo’s goal was to change these forks in the road type moments. Our mission has always been to support loving women to be the Mums children need. Sounds simple but we are one of the first charities working in this way of caring for children. Our goal is to respond to orphanhood, abandonment and abuse in a child centred, community and family way. Addressing the roots of the issue.
“In the isolation of being overseas there is a beauty in the connections you can create with others too.”
It all started when I found two children abandoned in the street. That one moment, nearly had those kids in an orphanage, but instead a small group of local women, one government social worker and me ended up reuniting those children with their family. That day led to the founding of the charity!
It seems like quite an adventurous life. Were you always a risk taker?
I guess my slightly nomadic childhood meant I was accustomed to change and wasn’t as held back by some of the fears of the unknown, the missing people and maybe a little more ok with being outside my comfort zone.
I like to say I’m a cautious risk taker! You wouldn’t catch me bungy jumping but I’m game for backpacking around Tanzania with my two kids on my own any day.
Any favourite memories that stand out since starting your life in Tanzania?
Seeing children who I once worried if they’d make it through the night as vulnerable newborns, now come and say hello at age seven in their little school uniform. Honestly, nothing better than seeing the power of a little support and a lot of love, and people working together all in one little child out there living their best life!
What would your advice be for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Take time, seek mentors and advice! No one can do anything alone or in a vacuum. Reach out to others and learn from their wisdom. Balance fearlessness with being informed and prepared, too. The two compliment each other well.
Any words of wisdom?
It takes a village! No matter what it is motherhood, womanhood, life overseas, founder of a non profit, business, etc. Life flows better when we build a strong community of support.
Life Motto if you have one?
Not sure I have one but I have a few quotes I love. “Linda Amani Yako” which means protect your peace in Swahili. And “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain!”
Where is “home” now?
Home is Tanzania. I’m 10 years here now and that’s the longest I have lived in any one place. But home is also a little bit of an abstract concept to me and it’s fully about a specific place.
Expat or local?
Honestly neither. I tend to say I stay away too long to feel like an expat but not long enough to feel local.
Any pros/cons to life as an expat?
Pros include gorgeous friendships and connections. In the isolation of being overseas there is a beauty in the connections you can create with others, too. In my experience the connections I’ve made have been so meaningful and deep.
You learn to see life from so many different angles. It’s less about a right way and a wrong way but this gorgeous rainbow of different ways, different cultures approach life! I’ve found that to be such a gift of a life overseas.
Cons: Goodbyes! To family and loved ones. I have five siblings living on four different continents. My kids don’t get to see their grandparents as much as we would all like. That’s hard.
Misunderstanding can lead to frustration and feeling isolated. Cultural and language barrier means inevitable misunderstandings. These can be hard at times.
In another life I would have been…
Ohh I think maybe a child physiologist. Or a full time traveller!!
“I became especially passionate about orphan trafficking and how to prevent it.”
How people can help Pamoja Leo?
- Follow us on social media. @pamojaleo
- Set up a monthly gift of £14 or £30: pamojaleo.org/donate
- Donate to our mill for babies campaign to keep our life saving program feeding babies whose Mums have died by supporting women to be their mothers and providing them with the milk they need: donorbox.org/pamojaleo-providing-milk-for-orphaned-babies
- Get in touch: Georgina@pamojaleo.org