In this interview, APN caught up with Daniel Haule, a Resource Mobilization and Philanthropy Consultant at the Foundation for Civil Society, an independent Tanzanian Non-profit organization that provides grants and capacity-building services to civil society organizations in Tanzania. He is also the Coordinator of the Tanzania Philanthropy Organization, a network that brings together all philanthropy actors (Organizations, Individuals, Foundations, Government, etc.) to promote and grow the culture of giving in the country and create a better environment for philanthropy to thrive. Apart from that, he is one of the leaders under the Giving Tuesday movement in Tanzania.
Please briefly tell us about yourself and the work that you do.
Daniel’s commitment to promoting philanthropy started way back in 2015. He says, while studying for a Bachelor’s Degree of Commerce in Marketing from the University of Dar es Salaam Business School in Tanzania, he was volunteering and advocating for community initiatives with several organizations. This saw him winning the 2018 #MyGivingStory, a competition that was run by Giving Tuesday Tanzania, focusing on stories of how individuals were giving back to their communities. “I have always been championing philanthropic activities, including blood donation, environmental cleanups, charities, and youth mobilization to support the development of my community. My goal is to keep learning and serving the community to enhance knowledge, accessibility to information, and promote local development”.
APN: What does African philanthropy mean to you, and how does Philanthropy look in your context?
Daniel Haule: The act of giving or donating money, time, or resources by individuals, groups, or communities to enhance the social, economic, or political well-being of people in Africa is what African philanthropy means to me. It manifests itself in a number of ways, such as charitable giving, volunteer work, community development initiatives, social entrepreneurship, etc.
It is frequently based on cultural and traditional ideals that put the well-being of the community before personal wealth. The socioeconomic and political background of the continent, which includes issues with poverty, inequality, and governance, also influences it. As a result, it plays a crucial part in the larger
initiatives for sustainable development, economic empowerment, and shifting the power to the indigenous people.
In Tanzania, philanthropy is mainly driven by individual donors, local communities, corporate entities, and organizations. The culture of giving is deeply ingrained in Tanzanian society, with many people donating or providing support to mainly weddings, funerals, and giving that is associated with their faith, but not for various causes, including education, health, and poverty alleviation.
In recent years, the trend is shifting, as more individuals and communities are open to donating to different causes. Community-based philanthropy, in which people or groups combine their resources to support community development initiatives, is one of the most significant types of philanthropy in Tanzania. Several Tanzanian philanthropic organizations focus on various areas such as education, health, and the environment. These organizations raise funds and implement programs to support their chosen causes.
In 2022, FCS produced a publication titled “Stories of giving during the time of the Coronavirus pandemic in Tanzania,” which highlighted how Individual giving, community giving, and corporate giving helped respond to the pandemic.
APN: May you please share a story of how Youth Philanthropy is driving change in your community
Daniel Haule: Currently, several youth-led organizations in Tanzania focus on philanthropy and community development. These organizations are run by young people who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. They organize various initiatives, such as charity and fundraising events, community service projects, and awareness campaigns, to address different issues. Apart from that, youth in different social groups, such as in the universities, work spaces, school alumni, Boda Boda (Motorcycle riders), and youth in religious groups do also organize different charity and philanthropic activities that tend to support and help those who are in need; this, in one way or another, accelerates development in their communities.
APN: How can young people drive youth philanthropy in Africa?
Daniel Haule: Young people have to identify issues affecting their communities, raise awareness about these issues as a way of encouraging other young people to get involved. Young people can volunteer their time and skills to support various initiatives. They can volunteer in community development projects, mentorship programs, healthcare centers, environmental conservation projects, and so on. Young can also collaborate with other youth-led organizations, community groups, and relevant stakeholders to drive change in their communities. Furthermore, young people can advocate for policies that support the issues affecting their communities.
APN: What factors can be considered to grow Youth Philanthropy on the continent?
Daniel Haule: Education plays a critical role in promoting youth philanthropy. Young people need to be educated on the importance of philanthropy and how it can be used to make a positive impact in their communities. This can be achieved through formal education programs, community workshops, and other training opportunities. Again, access to funding is critical for growing youth philanthropy in Africa. Philanthropic organizations, foundations can provide financial support to youth-led initiatives and programs, enabling them to expand their reach and make a greater impact. Technology can be leveraged to expand the reach of youth philanthropy in Africa. The use of social media, online fundraising platforms, and other digital tools can help to connect young people across the continent and facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
APN: Can you give an inspiring quote about giving?
Daniel Haule “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop