We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dagmara Ikiert. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dagmara below.

Hi Dagmara, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Statistically, in the rural Tanzania, only 14-20% of children pass the primary school leaving exam, which is a necessary formality to continue their secondary education. Most children finish their education at the age of 13-14, without having any kind of profession, ability or skill to make a decent living. It results in a stagnation in economic development, the reproduction of traditional social & family models, marriages among children, teen pregnancies and lack of emancipation and financial independence of women crucial to any long term social changes. The school curriculum usually ignores the essence of critical thinking and life skills, and therefore does not completely prepare for any employment. In addition, in Mtae and Mambo area where our business is nested, institutions/companies with any employment opportunities are very rare. Our company A.D. Views Management ltd. runs all our business activities trying to create a strong chain of employment and educational opportunities for children. We run an after school meeting point in Mtae, attended daily by over 200 kids, a library with over 5000 books, a tailoring and entrepreneurship vocational training course for young girls, weekend and holiday tutoring program for the most gifted children. We are also proud to conduct a sponsorship initiative where with helps of people from all around the world we already successfully secured scholarships for 45 children to attend private schools. Our aim is to start building a strong female society in the Usambara mountains. Young women better prepared for work are better citizens, better mothers, and more active members of the local community.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a 35-year-old graduate of Middle Eastern studies at the Jagiellonian University and the University of Bordeaux. Originally from Kraków, Poland I have linked my life with Africa for years, first with Morocco for 9 years, and since 2019 with Tanzania. On a daily basis, I run Uvi House & Restaurant in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania (@uvi_house_and_restaurant) opening this summer 2023 after a general renovation. In 2020 due to COVID-caused stagnation in tourism I got firstly involved in educational projects for children from public primary schools from the area. I coordinate all our projects within the Sisterhood Land initiative (https://www.sisterhoodland.com) that turned into a registered NGO – Uvi Foundation for Education this spring (@uvi_foundation_for_education). I also run a personal blog on Instagram (@autentyczna_tanzania) showing every day life of a Polish girl in rural Tanzania, as well as updates on our development projects, traveling and safari tips. I am a dog mother of 7 adopted stray puppies from Morocco and Tanzania. I am a feminist, a businesswoman, an activist for sustainable and responsible Aid. I believe that supporting education isn’t charity, but simple implementation of the basic right of every child.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

I have leased hotel businesses in both Morocco and Tanzania, but this spring 2023 I bough an old property, once a guest house that closed down in the pandemic. I have always assumed that it is better to lease because it gave me independence, the ability to fly away at any time. Why change my mind now? Something has changed, and my heart tells me that I am at home in Mambo and this is where I belong. This is one of the first advice I’d give to anyone thinking of purchasing a business. Make sure you love the place where you are, make sure you want to stay, you’re part of the community. In my experience even the most successful business won’t bring happiness unless you’re in the right place. Purchase of land in Tanzania is not allowed to foreigners, therefor the business was temporarily purchased under my business partner’s name, until I could become a Tanzanian citizen (which is the plan!) and our company could legally own the Uvi House & Restaurant. The acquisition process isn’t very complicated at first as most land in Tanzania isn’t surveyed, therefor it’s a simple land purchase contract signed in presence of an advocate. The process of getting the title deeds, the plot number, post code and all related documents isn’t easy though and it takes a very long time, as the land laws in Tanzania are fairly complicated and unclear. Regarding tax office, tourism and hygiene licenses the procedures are very straight forward, and I must say that many are easier to obtain than in Poland as all processed are being moved online due to the country’s size, to avoid long traveling hours to business owners and regular citizens. To anyone considering buying or investing in a business in Tanzania, I strongly recommend to visit the TRA’s (Tanzania Revenue Authority) and TIC’s (Tanzanian Investment Center) websites for clear information. And add a minimum of 30% to any amount you’d judge necessary for the original investment. Time runs different here, the distances and lack of efficient transport at times make all budget calculations complicated and adds to the expenses. But if chosen wisely, with the support of the local community, investing in a business in rural Tanzania can be a very positive experience that allows personal growth, decent income and ability to get involved in the development of the area.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Respect everyone working with you. Not for you – with you. The impact of positive comments is undeniable. While managing a business and a staff in Tanzania get to know people, their families, hopes and fears is a must, and for me personally the best aspect of running a business here. Professionalism doesn’t need to mean complete detachment. I managed to find a balance between authority and family work atmosphere. Empower your team. Raises, bonuses – on one hand, but micro credits, loans for school fees, tool rental etc. can also build a very strong bond, and it’s a very meaningful way of running a business. Include your team in decision making process, keep them in the loop of important changes, let them feel like their voice matters.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sisterhoodland.com
• Instagram: @autentyczna_tanzania @uvi_foundation_for_education @uvi_house_and_restaurant @picha_na_dada @sisterhoodie_tz
• Facebook: @autentyczna_tanzania @sisterhoodland_projects
• Linkedin: Uvi Foundation for Education