My favorite travel memory is when I went to the U.S. for the first time. It was such an eye-opening experience for me, and I had so much fun. Being in an entirely new place that I'd never been to before with new faces made me anxious but happy. Apart from that, one of my dreams, when I was in high school, was to be able to travel to the U.S. and in that way, I was able to realize one of my dreams.
Staff Spotlight: Winfrida Mshindo
Title:
Tanzania Team LeaderPhotos
Winfrida (Winnie) Mshindo was born and raised in the town of Iringa in Tanzania. She earned her degree from Tengeru Institute of Community Development in Arusha with a concentration in Participatory Project Planning Management.
Before joining Global Volunteers staff on the Tanzania Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration Project in 2017, Winnie was a Community Development Officer for the Iringa District Council.
Before joining Global Volunteers staff on the Tanzania Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) Demonstration Project in 2017, Winnie was a Community Development Officer for the Iringa District Council.
What is your favorite travel memory?
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Global Volunteers has contributed so much to my rapid growth since I have been constantly meeting new people with different backgrounds and personalities. Over the last few years since I started working with Global Volunteers, I have learned a great deal about how to cope with different people and so many other skills like leading skills through lots of training and hard work.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
The Reaching Children's Potential program really offers the best. One of the best stories that always amazes me is that one of the moms in the program, who had already lost three babies within just a few hours or days of birth, delivered her fourth baby safely through the help of volunteers. A few weeks before her due date, volunteers visited her in her house and she expressed how she was feeling. With the Tanzanian caregivers' assistance, volunteers examined her and wrote down the prescriptions to take to the hospital so that the doctors were aware of her condition. And guess what!! This worked out and she delivered a healthy baby who is now more than a year old and is healthy!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would still choose Tanzania because it is my home country and I would like to contribute to the development of my country through my organization.
The Reaching Children's Potential program is the best program I've ever heard of. Since it is also conducted in my home country, then I would be so happy to work with this program in Tanzania in order to keep on supporting my fellow Tanzanians who are in need.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Global Volunteers is unique because it creates the opportunity for people around the world to learn from and about each other in order to wage peace and promote justice. This opens the doors to good relationships among people, regardless of the differences they have. I see this in my work all the time.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
Global Volunteers' Philosophy of Service, policies, and guidelines is the biggest factor in its success around the globe, and in Tanzania. Every component of their way of working is meaningful and fits/supports all the activities that are conducted by the organization.
I strongly believe in the fundamental principles upon which Global Volunteers is based, such as only working where we are invited, and always working under the direction of local people.