Share what you learn

John Wihala is chairman of the organisation UVIMTA, a partner of MS in Tanzania. In UVIMTA women have a prominent role.

By Jens Lærke

20. november 2003

“My father believed that all children in our family should acquire education. Therefore, we were the first children in the village who learnt to read and write. When later I started working, I was very strict with my younger brothers. I insisted that they should continue in school. It is important to be educated, but also to use the education and impart what one has learnt.”

John Wihala is 46 years old and chairman of the agriculture organisation, UVIMTA - one of MS’ partners in Tanzania. Its members are peasants from twelve villages and the organisation addresses the issues of agriculture and environment. For instance, they build dams, wells and irrigation systems from which the entire local community can benefit. Moreover, they continue to work with organisational development.

“We are aware that MS will not be with us for ever. Therefore, our most important work is the education of our members. It is important for sustainability, and for the future, that people know how to work efficiently with their agriculture. We build up human capacity and share out the experiences we have gained,” says John, who is a qualified teacher and has acquired additional leader training through MS.

Women are better

“It is a big opportunity and challenge for me to work with education because many people have confidence in me. It means that I have to keep on learning new skills and be the first one to educate myself. In this way, I push people – and they push me. I become a sort of role model for others,” he says.

Women have a prominent role in UVIMTA – not least, thanks to John.

“Previously, we men did not think that women could manage work, make decisions, plan and draw up budgets. However, women are better than men in running a business. For instance, women are better at drawing up budgets because they are accustomed to shopping and cooking food for the whole family. Besides, they are more honest than men.”

John Wihala

“Previously, we men did not think that women could manage work, make decisions, make plans and draw up budgets. However, women are better than men at running a business. For instance, women are better at drawing up budgets because they are accustomed to shopping and cooking food for the whole family,” he says.

“Ten years ago, we said that women should work with less demanding things than men. But we realised that the women in fact work many more hours a day than men, often with a child on their back. Now the children attend kindergarten and the women have more time for work.”

“First and foremost, women are more honest than men. Therefore, our book-keeper in UVIMTA is a woman,” says John with a smile. His wife also takes part in drawing up budgets for the organisation’s workshops.

Only a human being

Along with stronger position for women, openness and influence are key words for John’s vision of an organisation.

“The first leaders we had were not very open. Therefore, many members voted for me during the election for chairman in 2001. I believed that it was important to practice openness, for instance, in money matters so that the people knew what their contributions were use for. People also appreciated the fact that I included them in decision-making processes and shared the power in the organisation,” says John who has an optimistic view of the future.

“Generally, things are getting better. By practicing openness together with people’s participation, you get the best advice before things go wrong. But I am only human and do not agree 100% with all that goes on,” he says.