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TUJIJENGE FOUNDATION
Tujijenge Foundation is a Tanzanian non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening community resilience by protecting human capital in the face of climate, health, and socio-economic pressures.
The Foundation operates at the intersection of policy and implementation, translating national priorities into practical, scalable solutions. It recognizes that sustainable development depends not only on infrastructure and economic growth, but on the ability of people and systems to remain stable and productive under changing conditions.
Tanzania is undergoing significant demographic and environmental change. A growing population, increasing demand for services, and climate variability are placing pressure on the systems that support everyday life. These dynamics are interconnected and require integrated responses.
Tujijenge was established to respond to this need by developing models that strengthen resilience across education, health, and livelihoods, ensuring that development progress is sustained over time.
PURPOSE , VISION & MISSION
PURPOSE
To safeguard and strengthen Tanzania’s human capital by building resilient schools, climate-responsive community systems, and economically stable families capable of withstanding environmental and socio-economic shocks.
VISION
Resilient people, thriving communities, and a secure and sustainable future.
MISSION
To design and implement practical, scalable solutions that strengthen resilience across education, health, and livelihoods while delivering measurable and sustainable outcomes.
Why it matters
Climate variability represents a systemic risk that affects multiple sectors simultaneously. Its impact is most visible at community level, where it disrupts learning, increases health risks, and undermines economic stability.
Without integrated responses, these pressures can lead to long-term human capital loss, increased poverty, and reduced national productivity.
By strengthening the systems that underpin education, health, and livelihoods, Tujijenge contributes to building communities that are able to absorb shocks, maintain essential services, and continue progressing despite environmental and socio-economic pressures.
LEADERSHIP
Guiding Strategic Direction and Institutional Delivery
Tujijenge Foundation is led by a structured team combining strategic vision, executive management, technical expertise, and program implementation capacity. This integrated approach ensures that institutional priorities are translated into practical, measurable interventions at community level.
Dr. Catherine Joachim
Founder, Tujijenge Foundation
Dr. Catherine Joachim is a Tanzanian development leader and global health systems specialist with over two decades of experience in policy, program management, and resource mobilization. She has worked extensively with government institutions, development partners, and multilateral organizations, contributing to the design and implementation of nationally significant programs in health and social development.
Her work has focused on strengthening systems, coordinating multi-partner initiatives, and advancing approaches that improve service delivery and long-term sustainability. Through these roles, she has contributed to large-scale efforts aimed at improving population health outcomes and strengthening institutional performance.
She currently serves as a Member of Parliament (Special Seats), representing Parents.
As Founder of Tujijenge Foundation, she provides strategic direction and institutional vision, guiding the development of scalable models that strengthen resilience and protect human capital.
Mary C. Katwaza
Chief Executive Officer
Mary Churchill Katwaza leads the overall management and execution of the Foundation’s strategy. She is responsible for translating institutional priorities into operational plans, overseeing program implementation, and ensuring that activities deliver measurable and sustainable results.
She brings experience in organizational leadership, program coordination, and stakeholder engagement, including managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and strengthening internal systems to support effective delivery. Her work has focused on improving operational performance, enhancing coordination across partners, and ensuring accountability in the use of resources.
At Tujijenge, she plays a central role in driving implementation, strengthening partnerships with government and development actors, and positioning the Foundation as a credible, results-oriented institution.
Dr. Cecilia Makafu
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Cecilia Makafu is a public health specialist with experience in health systems strengthening, program implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Her professional work spans priority areas including HIV, maternal and child health, nutrition, and malaria, with a focus on improving service delivery and program performance.
She has supported large-scale health programs through data-driven approaches, strengthening health information systems, and contributing to improved decision-making processes. Her experience includes coordinating program activities and ensuring that interventions are implemented with quality and consistency.
As Chief Operating Officer, she oversees operations and program coordination, ensuring that all initiatives are aligned with technical standards, delivered efficiently, and capable of achieving measurable outcomes.
Goodluck Naftari Bosha
Programs Coordinator
Goodluck Naftari Bosha coordinates program implementation at community level, ensuring alignment between institutional frameworks and local realities. He plays a key role in translating program strategies into practical interventions and supporting effective delivery on the ground.
He brings experience in community-based program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and field coordination. His work includes supporting monitoring processes, facilitating communication with communities, and ensuring that interventions remain responsive to local needs.
Through his role, he contributes to maintaining implementation quality, strengthening local ownership, and ensuring that programs deliver intended outcomes in a sustainable manner.
Governance
Tujijenge operates under a governance framework that emphasizes accountability, transparency, and alignment with national priorities. Governance structures are evolving to support strategic oversight, institutional integrity, and long-term sustainability.
Institutional Strength
This leadership structure combines strategic direction, management capacity, technical expertise, and field-level implementation, positioning Tujijenge Foundation as a credible institution capable of delivering integrated and scalable solutions.
CORE PRINCIPLES
Tujijenge’s work is guided by strategic principles designed to ensure relevance, sustainability, and accountability.
Interventions are grounded in locally identified needs through structured consultation with communities and authorities, ensuring alignment with real priorities and enhancing ownership. Solutions are designed to be affordable, maintainable, and compatible with locally available resources, recognizing fiscal and technical constraints faced by institutions and households.
The Foundation strengthens existing governance structures rather than creating parallel systems, promoting policy coherence and long-term sustainability. Transparency, responsible resource management, and inclusive decision-making are emphasized to build trust with beneficiaries and partners. Continuous learning and adaptive management allow programs to evolve in response to emerging evidence and changing conditions.