Cypress Hill

In 2017 the International Collaborative for Science, Education, and the Environment, Tanzania (ICSEE(T)) opened Cypress Hill, a new campus and incubator.  Located on the southern edge of Monduli in the village of Lachaine, not far from our current headquarters, the campus offers a remarkable opportunity to expand International Collaborative activities, and broaden our reach.

Cypress Hill as International Collaborative incubator

More knowledge and experience means more power, health, and capacity to thrive. The International Collaborative envisions the  campus as an incubator—a place for nurturing new ideas and exploring what can really work. We anticipate starting small businesses where Maasai women will receive excellent training and serve as managers and staff. In addition, we plan to expand our offering of mini-courses, workshops, and retreats in practical studies. Here, women, men, and children are supported and nurtured in learning, experimenting, and exploring.

 

Cypress Hill facilities

Cypress Hill’s three buildings, including a dormitory, main building with large rooms, and an office complex, are on two and a half acres of land. These have become classrooms, a factory space, research areas, administrative offices, and spaces for larger gatherings.

With first-phase renovations completed, and Mesha Singolyo in the leadership role as Cypress Hill Manager, we are on our way.

The ICSEE(T) is exploring business plans for a Cypress Hill chicken farm, small dairy, and a fodder production operation, sourced from agricultural waste. We have already hosted our own workshops and programs for the community. We continue with preparations for  low-cost courses and workshops in health and disease control; increased vegetable garden productivity; basic science of renewable energy; and fuel-saving cooking techniques.

 

 

Meet Mesha Singolyo, Manager of Activities and Programs at Cypress Hill

The ICSEE(T) is delighted to introduce Mesha Singolyo, Manager of Activities and Programs at our
Cypress Hill Institute Campus.

Under Mesha’s leadership, our early aim is to develop short courses to help people solve problems and move forward. She is also establishing earning and business opportunities for women.

With a Master’s degree in Development and Gender Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam, Mesha is an officer in the Community Development Department of the district government.

She has been intensely devoted to spreading an understanding of women’s and children’s rights, and we welcome her

to the International Collaborative community.

 

 

A path to sew

Adela completed seventh grade and wanted to continue learning. But because her father was already planning her marriage, she could not go further. But Adela loved to sew.

But she managed to escape the marriage and ran away to Arusha town. There she worked as a housemaid. When her employer noticed that Adela was interested in designing and sewing clothes, she took her to a tailoring course that she could attend while still working.

“After I completed the course, I used the money I had earned as a housegirl to buy a sewing machine. Because I had spent all my savings, and didn’t have more to pay rent, I decided to go back home and start sewing. I joined other fundis and shared an office for the business.

But the machine I bought failed after just one year. And I’ve had to rent another machine for 25,000 Tsh a month (about $12)

But now, with the help of ICSEE, I have my own machine. I can’t believe it. Thank you for enabling this. I promise I will take care of it and work hard to realize my dream. Ahsante sana! ”

Improving lives in East Africa

 

The Cypress Hill Institute is in the village of Lashaine, just south of Monduli town. Before it was ours, a vocational school was in the process of finishing classes and closing down. The school had offered tailoring, and we received 20 pedal sewing machines along with the buildings.

We decided that these machines would be best in the hands of women who really wanted to sew. We thought some might want to start tailoring businesses for themselves. The Project hired a technician to inspect and repair the machines. We located Lashaine women who wanted to become tailors, or improve their existing sewing skills. These women had clear aims, and the confidence and experience to initiate related businesses. The Project provided training led by an expert tailor.

Upon completion, each woman received her machine as her “diploma,” delivered right to her home.

We look forward to visiting them soon and seeing how they are using the machines.