Building a Brighter Future, Together
Jim Elsworth founded Twende in Arusha, establishing a small workshop in his garden where community members can access tools, technology, and practical skills.
Christonsia (Chris) Mushi joins as Twende’s first employee, mentoring aspiring innovators and helping turn ideas into working prototypes.
Twende relocates to Plot 146, TASO Grounds, where electricity is connected and new workshop equipment, including a lathe and milling machine, is installed.
Twende records its first major sale, supplying 50 Solata and 35 Nova solar-powered LED lighting units.
Twende moves to Plot 88, TASO Grounds, with plans to establish a dedicated workshop and office space.
 Twende partners with Global Cycle Solutions (GCS) to jointly operate and develop the new workshop.
Bernard Kiwia establishes Accelerating Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship (AISE), focused on innovation, design, and entrepreneurship.
After nine months of construction, a shared workshop opens, bringing together Twende, GCS, and AISE around a common mission of improving lives through technology.
GCS expands into its own premises, while Twende and AISE begin merging into a single organisation.
MIT D-Lab’s Creative Capacity Building (CCB) methodology becomes a cornerstone of Twende’s approach to community-led innovation.
Twende launches what would become its Innovation Clubs programme, partnering with schools including the School of St Jude.
Deborah Tien is appointed as Twende’s first Executive Director.
Twende launches Jamii Tech, bringing together international and Tanzanian graduates to work alongside communities in designing solutions to local challenges.
John Rexford Nzira becomes Executive Director, leading Twende through a period of growth and expansion.
Twende delivers its first Build-It Workshop at Silverleaf Academy, expanding hands-on innovation opportunities for young people.
In recognition of more than two decades of dedication, mentorship, and leadership, Christonsia (Mr Chris) Mushi is formally recognised as a founder of Twende.
Epifania Wilbard becomes Executive Director, continuing Twende’s mission to empower communities through innovation.
Provide communities with the knowledge, skills and resources to co-create technologies that solve local challenges and generate new opportunities.
We believe in doing the right thing in all circumstances
Our innovators create lasting legacies in the spaces they call home
We recognize that all aspects of society must lead the charge for change
We trust and use the design process throughout all our work, listening to feedback to co-create solutions with the community
We ensure that solutions are both sustainable and impacful despite financial constraints
Founder & Treasurer
Jim is a mechanical engineer with over 50 years of experience, including work with the UN and his own seed treatment start-up. In 2007, he founded Twende, driven by a passion to develop and disseminate agricultural technologies that improve the lives of small-holder farmers in Tanzania.
Fun Fact: Jim is a keen member of the Kilimanjaro Hash House Harriers, a social and fun running group in Arusha.
Founder
A renowned training consultant, Bernard is recognized as the ‘father of rural innovations’ in Tanzania. Featured in DW, BBC, and other publications, he brings his innovative approaches to skills development to Twende, empowering communities to create their own solutions.
Fun Fact: Bernard was once a DJ and used to do gigs in the slums of Arusha. You will know it’s Bernard driving when the car volume is at max.
Founder & Creative Trainer
Chris is a master craftsman and dedicated educator with over two decades of experience as a metal artisan, sign-graver operator, draughtsman, and teacher. He conducts onsite courses, empowering local innovators with his expertise. Chris holds a Trade Test Grade 1 from the National Vocational Training Centre at Moshi and is a D-LAB CCB Training of Trainers graduate.
Fun Fact: Chris loves to go some where he has never been. It doesn’t matter whether by car, bicycle or even walking. Whenever has time or feel bored he will go somewhere he never been.
Board Chair
Claude oversees program quality and marketing, ensuring strategic alignment with Twende’s mission and driving impactful outcomes.
Deputy Chair
Jim is a mechanical engineer with over 50 years of experience, including work with the UN and his own seed treatment start-up. In 2007, he founded Twende, driven by a passion to develop and disseminate agricultural technologies that improve the lives of small-holder farmers in Tanzania.
Fun Fact: Jim is a keen member of the Kilimanjaro Hash House Harriers, a social and fun running group in Arusha.
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Jim is a mechanical engineer with over 50 years of experience, including work with the UN and his own seed treatment start-up. In 2007, he founded Twende, driven by a passion to develop and disseminate agricultural technologies that improve the lives of small-holder farmers in Tanzania.
Fun Fact: Jim is a keen member of the Kilimanjaro Hash House Harriers, a social and fun running group in Arusha.
Board Secretary
Andrew Rummel is a former Jamii Tech innovator passionate about community-driven technology. He now serves on Twende’s Board, bringing a global perspective to grassroots innovation.
Member
Eligibor is an accounting professional with over 8 years of experience. He brings his financial expertise to the board, ensuring responsible management of Twende’s resources.
Partnerships
Angela leverages her experience in governance and startup support to foster strategic collaborations that amplify Twende’s impact.
International Partnerships
Jack facilitates global connections and growth strategies for social enterprises, expanding Twende’s international reach.
Executive Director
Epifania manages program logistics and provides inspirational leadership to the Twende team. She is a passionate advocate for rural development and women’s empowerment, with a BA in Rural Development from Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Fun Fact: Epifania enjoys Catholic gospel music so much that she attends church services on Sundays specifically to listen to the choir and hymns.
Director of Technology, Innovation and Training
Chris is a master craftsman and dedicated educator with over two decades of experience as a metal artisan, sign-graver operator, draughtsman, and teacher. He conducts onsite courses, empowering local innovators with his expertise. Chris holds a Trade Test Grade 1 from the National Vocational Training Centre at Moshi and is a D-LAB CCB Training of Trainers graduate.
Fun Fact: Chris loves to go some where he has never been. It doesn’t matter whether by car, bicycle or even walking. Whenever has time or feel bored he will go somewhere he never been.
Finance & Administration Officer
Shalom is the backbone of Twende’s financial operations, ensuring financial stability and growth. Her meticulous management of finances and administration, combined with her BA in Accounting from the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy(TIA) , provides a solid foundation for Twende’s operations. Additionally, she volunteers for a children’s camp.
Fun Fact: Shalom can navigate a car with ease, but somehow the concept of balancing on two wheels completely eludes her. She has never learned to ride a bicycle.
Head of Makerspace
Luqman, a graduate of the Jamii Tech Incubation Program and co-creator of an innovative maize shelling and threshing machine, is a skilled technician and innovative designer. He brings his expertise in motor rewinding, electric isolation, basic electronics, and SOLIDWORKS to support Twende’s training programs and assist innovators.
Fun Fact: Luqman’s ideal meetings must have food.
Media & Communication
Programs Officer
Witness coordinates Twende’s education programs, including Innovation Clubs and Build-it workshops, and serves as a vital community liaison. She is also responsible for internal and external communications, ensuring effective outreach and engagement.
Fun Fact: Witness loves smiling, people say it’s contagious.
Impact Officer
Amani is the driving force behind Twende’s makerspace, transforming it into a vibrant hub of innovation. A former participant in the Jamii Tech Program and co-creator of the Ugali making machine, Amani brings his mechanical expertise and passion for hands-on learning to empower other innovators.
Fun Fact: Â When he was 7 years old, Amani discovered he could reuse dead batteries to light their home. Since then he has become a curious and enthusiastic problem solver using innovative techniques.
M&E
Fundraising
Content & Social Media
Emerging Tech & Software Development Trainer
Website Design & Development
Communities transformed through skills to create technologies that improve livelihoods.
We are grateful to our partners whose support makes this work possible. Together, we are expanding access to innovation, creating opportunities, and empowering communities across Tanzania to develop solutions to the challenges they face.
