Voluntary work increases my understanding

Teacher in the morning, paralegal in the afternoon

By Christoph Lodemann

21. maj 2006

”I like the change of activity after teaching at school, because it keeps me busy and active”, Bertha Mdundu says.

She is a committed volunteer at Morogoro Paralegal Centre since 2004. She is also a teacher at Morogoro Secondary School, where she earns a living as home economist teacher. Her free-time she spends at Morogoro Paralegal Centre.

”I started as a volunteer at the paralegal centre in 2004, after participating in a couple of seminars about legal education on women’s rights, organized by Women’s Legal Aid Centre and Morogoro Para Legal Centre.” Since then Bertha Mdundu comes to the Para Legal office to assist whenever she has time.

”I feel happy to assist my fellow women with legal disputes and it also makes me happy to see women achieving their rights.”

Bertha Mdundu sees the problems Tanzanian women are facing every day at school, at the paralegal centre and in her neighbourhood.

“I have gained knowledge about women’s rights and now I use it wherever I can, being at home, in the neighbourhood, at school or at the Paralegal Centre”, Bertha Mdundu explains.

She also knows women’s situation by own experience, being a single mother and bringing up 2 children by her own.

”Also I learn a lot from the clients coming to the paralegal centre for counselling,” she continues to explain, “by doing voluntary work I increase my legal experience and get a deeper understanding of different cultural habits and customs. I have for instance got insight knowledge on many Maasai traditions lately. I even learn about people’s difference in behaviour and how to react on it.”

Bertha is happy to assist the paralegal centre, even though it would be nice with some appreciation once a while. She hopes to be able to assist for many years to come.