Founded on Personal Experience, Driven by Community Partnership
Shimbwe Development Trust was born from the lived experience of a young Tanzanian woman who understood firsthand the barriers preventing rural girls from achieving their potential. What began as one person's determination to "pay it forward" has become a 25-year partnership transforming an entire community while proving that sustainable development happens when those who've experienced challenges lead the solutions
Our Founding Story: From Personal Experience to Community Transformation
Personal Foundation for Change As the eldest child in her family, Leocardia was fortunate to have a strong bond with her father who, unusually for the time, believed in his daughter's educational potential. While many of her peers faced traditional expectations limiting girls to domestic roles, Leocardia's father supported her schooling—a decision that transformed not only her life but ultimately thousands of others.
Mrs. Leocardia Tesha: Visionary Founder and Driving Force
The Genesis of Our Mission Shimbwe Development Trust was initially conceived by Mrs. Leocardia Tesha, whose personal journey from rural Tanzania to educational success inspired her to create opportunities for others facing the same barriers she once knew intimately.
Shared Commitment Both founders shared the conviction that development must be led by those who understand challenges from personal experience while partnering with external resources and expertise. This philosophy, born from their own journeys, became the foundation of SDT's community-partnership approach
Dr. Peter Tesha: Partnership in Vision and Action
Joint Founding Partnership Dr. Peter Tesha, Leocardia's husband and fellow visionary, brought medical expertise and UK professional networks to complement Leocardia's deep understanding of community challenges and cultural dynamics. As an NHS ophthalmologist who had experienced rural poverty himself before pursuing further medical training in the UK, Peter understood both the obstacles and possibilities for development.
Leocardia's Essential Role in Our Success
Leocardia's involvement in Tanzania was absolutely key to SDT's success. Her ability to engage local ward officials, traditional leaders, and community members came from genuine cultural understanding and respect for local knowledge and customs.
Community Engagement and Local Leadership
Authentic community connection and cultural understanding.
Building trust & partnership through respectful dialogue.
Traditional leader engagement and local relationship building.
Strategic Project Implementation
On-ground leadership with weeks spent in Tanzania annually
Quality assurance ensuring projects completed effectively
Cultural oversight maintaining appropriate implementation.
Strategic network building with personal story inspiration
Relationship-based fundraising creating lasting partnerships
Educational awareness about rural development realities
UK Fundraising and Network Mobilisation
Our Founding Principles: Born from Experience
Experience-Based Understanding Having personally navigated the barriers SDT addresses, our founders understood that sustainable solutions must come from within communities rather than being imposed by external experts, however well-intentioned.
Respect for Local Knowledge Leocardia's background taught her that rural communities possess tremendous wisdom and capabilities that external organisations often overlook. Our approach honors traditional knowledge while introducing appropriate technology and resources.
Partnership, Not Charity Both founders rejected charity models that create dependency, instead emphasising genuine partnership where communities lead and external support enables rather than directs change.
Community Leadership and Ownership
Founded on Personal Experience, Driven by Community Partnership
Technology & Innovation
Partnering with Local Communities
Utilizing and adapting technologies familiar to the developed world, we can provide teachers, parents, and students with products and services to improve learning and decision-making.
The Genesis of Our Mission Shimbwe Development Trust was initially conceived by Mrs. Leocardia Tesha, whose personal journey from rural Tanzania to educational success inspired her to create opportunities for others facing the same barriers she once knew intimately.
Shimbwe Development Trust was born from the lived experience of a young Tanzanian woman who understood firsthand the barriers preventing rural girls from achieving their potential. What began as one person's determination to "pay it forward" has become a 25-year partnership transforming an entire community while proving that sustainable development happens when those who've experienced challenges lead the solutions
Our Founding Story: From Personal Experience to Community Transformation
To make a lasting impact, we know that we must actively engage and include the communities we are seeking to help. We are continually learning and growing in how we show up as an authentic, ethical partner.
Mrs. Leocardia Tesha: Visionary Founder and Driving Force
Personal Foundation for Change As the eldest child in her family, Leocardia was fortunate to have a strong bond with her father who, unusually for the time, believed in his daughter's educational potential. While many of her peers faced traditional expectations limiting girls to domestic roles, Leocardia's father supported her schooling—a decision that transformed not only her life but ultimately thousands of others.
Our team
Dr Peter Tesha (Chairman)
Our founder brings first-hand experience of the challenges in Shimbwe, driving his commitment since 1997. As an experienced NHS ophthalmologist, Peter regularly volunteers his skills in Tanzania, demonstrating our deep, on-the-ground dedication.
Natacha
With a masters degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as strong ties to some of our most important communities, Natacha is influential in shaping our education policies, proposals, and fundraising rounds.
david@unitis.com
natacha@unitis.com
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”
– Mark Van Doren
Join Our Partnership Story
From Mrs. Leocardia Tesha's determination to "pay it forward" to thousands of lives transformed through authentic partnership, SDT demonstrates what's possible when those who've experienced challenges lead the solutions supported by committed partnerships and resources.
Your involvement continues this legacy of transformation that strengthens communities across generations while proving that development partnership creates lasting change.
