Here is the story of one of the the world’s highly accomplished women who has made a real difference in the lives of the most vulnerable Children and Women in Tanzania . JustaMwaituka affectionately christened “Mama J” by the girls she saved from abuse and exploitation,is a Tanzanian nurse social activist and child rights advocate, known particularly, for her work in transforing the lives of needy children and women .She is a woman with a commitment and a passion for serving others, making impact and leading witha purpose .
Justa was born on 28th May 1958 in a sub-rural area in Nzovwe village –Mbeya region in southern highlands of Tanzania. Both her parents were not highly educated, but her father was keen in educating Justa and so enrolled her in a private secondary school much against the wishes of his clan members and villagers who didn’t value girls education at a time. She has a MSc in Community Economic and Development, among other professional and academic credentials.
In 1998,Justa Mwaituka (Mama J”) founded an organization which has become one of the successful stories in Tanzania’s efforts to combat child abuse , neglect and exploitation ,She thought it was better at that time, to create a formal working structure, an organization she named “Kiota”, meaning in Kiswahili, a nest to connote the security and growth, she wanted to provide for the girls and letting them embed in it safely. Kiota Women Heaalth and Development organization (KIWOHEDE) was founded in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania’s, commercial capital and has extended across the country, in ten regions namely Dar essalaam,Mwanza,Mbeya,MtwaraSimiyu ,Mwanza,Shinyanga,Singida,Kigoma, and Iringa ( 38 districts ) and is well known around the world
The inception of the organization daring move, prompted by Justa’s witnessing of the effects of sexual violence ,exploitation and poverty on young girls in Dar es Salaam...