History
The Malage Workshop & Vocational Training Centre was founded in 2004 and has only been made possible by the experience of founder Gasiano Senzighe.
In 1978 Gasiano Senzighe started his studies in ‘Automotive Engineering’ at the Technical College of Arusha, graduating in May 1981. Subsequently Gasiano accepted the offer to remain at Arusha
College as an assistant professor before deciding to go to Germany in 1982 to gain practical knowledge. Supported by the German government he completed various work placements at companies like
Daimler-Benz and Volkswagen before going to Bolton, UK, for 9 months in 1983 to study pedagogics. Having successfully completed his practical exams in Germany, Gasiano returns to Tanzania in
1984.
After having completed his military service, he returns to Arusha College for four years before accepting an offer by the diocese of Same to build and lead a vocational training center. His first
two centers are built in Same and Chanjale. As a result of his outstanding work Gasiano is soon transferred to the districts biggest diocese in Arusha. All of Gasiano’s vocational training
centers are still operating today offering many young adults the opportunity to receive professional education.
In 1997 Gasiano is forced to end his church career and accept a better job in the tourism sector to finance his children’s’ school education. He nevertheless
continues to visit evening classes at Arusha College to allow him to realize his dream of an own vocational training center in rural Kisangara. In 2003 Gasiano buys a piece of land and opens a
workshop. In January 2004, the first five teenagers start their training to become professional mechanics.
After the successful graduation of the first five students in November 2005, Gasiano decides to give into the demand of several applicants and offer a further profession: tailoring. To service
the increasing number of students Gasiano hires an additional teacher, a secretary, a security guard and a cook. To finance the rapid expansion of the center he is forced to sell his motor
bike.
By the end of 2006, the number of students has increased to over 20. Because Gasiano is asked to extend the offered courses
to also accommodate carpentry he is yet again forced to tab into his private savings.
Thanks to the secured funding and the support of the students, the new building for carpentry is completed in early 2007.
To date the first and only donation (1.200 USD) was given to Malage by some of Gasiano’s friend from the UK, who happened to pay him a visit during a safari and were impressed by the accomplished
work. The donated money, the profit from a very good harvest, selling one of his privately owned cows and the free work of two of his former students (masons), allow Gasiano to build a dormitory.
Finally, students living far from the school campus no longer have to sleep in the classrooms.
Since 2006, approximately 20 students have successfully graduated every year. Equipped with their earned certificates most of these students were able to find employment immediately upon leaving
the school – a perspective, which without Gasiano and his colleagues, would most likely not have been possible.
At the beginning of this year, after two years of hard, work Gasiano has further managed to embed the Malage Vocational Training Centre into an NGO: MEDETRUFU, a major milestone in ensuring
continuity and allowing for the next stage of development: international exchange through now being officially allowed to host volunteers.
