Women’s Network

Our Director frequently gives talks to schools and community groups, this is the feedback from the one he gave on the 12th April 2011 to the Working Women’s Network Richmond and Twickenham Area

“Have you ever heard of a goat and cow pyramid scheme, preserving food with a sand and water “fridge”, a fuel efficient stove which reduces wood usage by 60-70% and chicken coops build over fish ponds to fertilize the water? These are just some of the projects undertaken by the Livingstone Tanzania Trust, the charity founded by Julian Page, to combat poverty in rural Tanzania, which he described to a packed meeting on the 12th April. He works in an area where 97% of the community are subsistence farmers, where demands on the natural resources are unsustainable and poverty is rife, but which has a hugely rich culture with family and community working together. Education is the key to improving living standards: the Trust has transformed local schools to make them more conducive to learning, started a school farm which teaches efficient methods to the wider community as well as the students, instituted health and hygiene campaigns, the planting of fruit trees and vegetables to improve diet, encouraged local groups to set up market gardens, fish ponds, pig breeding…the list is endless. In every case the emphasis is on sustainability and total involvement of the community – this is charity at its most practical, giving people (in Julian’s words) a hand up not a hand out. Julian has a deep understanding and respect for the people he works with and this enthusiasm and passion were infectious – it made for a fascinating and enlightening evening. Many thanks to him and Irena for hosting the meeting”

Working Women’s Network – Richmond and Twickenham Area – 4th May 2011