It all started with a simple and powerful idea.

In 2012, the joint Tanzanian-Finnish programme, TanzICT, introduced the idea of a Living Lab to the Iringa community. “Solve community problems by starting with what you have”. 

Yusuf Ssessanga, then based at the University of Iringa, embraced the Living Lab philosophy and mobilised like-minded community leaders to start supporting young people who were struggling after finishing school. A training approach evolved from listening carefully to their needs and helping them to identify what they wanted to do, what resources they had, and what their passions were.

The Iringa Living Lab was linked with RLabs in South Africa, who mentored and inspired the Iringa team, and shared their Grow Leadership training model. The Iringa team joined the global RLabs movement and took the name RLabs Tanzania.  

The programme developed organically. Young people kept coming through the doors of the Iringa office saying that they had lost hope. Disappointed at not finding work and stuck at home, with no idea of how to move forward. Many said RLabs was the first place they felt valued and understood. That’s why our values are Love, Courage, and Innovation. First a young person must feel loved and valued and only then can they summon the courage to try something new. 

LEADERSHIP

  • Angela Ilomo

    GOVERNANCE ADVISOR

    Myers Briggs:
    ISFJ, Defender Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    I did a 5 week Food Freedom Breakthrough Programme and it has changed my relationship with food forever.

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Doing something/anything that I know will be meaningful to someone else's life.

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    Flight- flying around the city, going places I wouldn’t normally go, would be a great way to see the world from a different angle plus it would protect the environment from more greenhouse gases. It’s great for me and for everyone. :) Another one would be super regeneration so I can heal quickly and heal other people from any sort of injuries.

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    Returned to my old hobby which is dancing– it brought me so much peace and energy!

  • Moses Mkemwa

    GROW LEADERSHIP MANAGER

    Myers Briggs:
    ENFJ, Protagonist Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    Making and tasting a strawberry banana smoothie. It was delicious!

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Speaking to people (young people) on their challenges and working on finding solutions together.

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    Reading people's minds and knowing what they are planning to do next.

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    I played a "Finding a Ball" game in a training. In the game we circled around one participant who was supposed to tell us who is having a small ball at the moment. The ball was held around participants in the circle. It was really funny to see the participants turning here and there finding out where the ball was!

  • Kelvin Mveyange

    TRAINING CONTENT LEAD

    Myers Briggs:
    INFP, Mediator Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time
    Joined DSE Mobile Trading and obtained a share investment advisor.

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Run mind challenging training sessions that empower the community to think differently.

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    First, having the power to enable people to become more resilient with the huge challenges they face, and rather than losing hope, they can start using those challenges to navigate towards success. And second, the ability to change the whole education system so that it helps each learner to realise their individualised potential.

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    I was on a bus traveling and they were playing these Congolese songs that were really famous during my childhood.

ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS

  • Tumaini Meena

    IMPACT MANAGER

    Myers Briggs Type:
    ESFJ, Consul Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    I tried prickly pear and it was really tasty and sweet, now I have something to add in my fruit bowl!

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Anything that affects the community in a positive way– anything that improves lives to be specific!

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    To bring positive changes instantly when the world needs it to prosper and having the ability to restore nature so we can always breathe fresh air!

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    I played basketball with friends and I scored three points five times in a row and that gave me chills!

  • Martha Msungu

    IMPACT & FINANCE OFFICER

    Myers Briggs Type:
    ISFJ, Defender Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    Moving out from home and living on my own. It wasn’t easy at first, but now I feel very comfortable living on my own.

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Giving advice to people because I love being helpful.

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    Having the ability to know the future and to be invisible.

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    Going on my first trip to Dar es Salaam when I was with the RLabs Tanzania family. I really enjoyed it; I was up all night thinking about the trip!

  • Catheline Nyenza

    FINANCE OFFICER

    Myers Briggs Type:
    INFJ, Advocate Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    Drinking bamboo juice for the first time; the taste was really awful though.

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Giving fashion advice– dressing my friends! My entire childhood, my friends would come to me for help in choosing an outfit.

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    Super strength and being invisible

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    When my son Kendrick was born and when I first held him in my arms.

STRATEGIC ADVISORS

  • Naomi Rouse

    ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Myers Briggs Type:
    ENTJ, Commander Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    Touch Rugby. Turns out it’s really fun and not at all scary like it sounds.

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Exploring deep ideas with the RLabs team and changing lives; immersed in spreadsheets all day or writing articles. Living my best life!

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    Travel anywhere instantly to see family and friends. Finish my To Do list and have a break? But I’d dream up a new project and list, so errr…. One super power is enough for me.

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    Watching my children and friends swimming in a lake, lighting a campfire, and organising their own games for hours.

  • Laura Prelle

    HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

    Myers Briggs Type:
    ENFP, Campaigner Personality

    What’s the last thing you did for the first time?
    Tried Chaga Mushroom Coffee. Verdict? Delicious. There are few, if any, coffees, drinks, or food I will not try.

    What is the one thing that you would do even if you are not paid for doing it?
    Anything design (graphic, fashion, interior) oriented and photography.

    If you could have 2 superpowers, what would they be?
    Immediately know, understand, and be able to speak any language being spoken around me. And teleportation, but not just me, me and my things.

    What was the last thing you did that gave you child-like joy?
    Watched the Philadelphia Phillies win the NLDS to head to the World Series. Philly teams will always bring me child-like joy. That and my fantasy football team being undefeated (at least, if it ever happens, I imagine it would).

Owl

River

Story

Movement