Latest news

Genevieve takes technical know-how to Tanzania

Friday August 29, 2008

For the ultimate sea change, it would be hard to top Genevieve Gomes’ adventure to the east coast of Tanzania to talk – and teach – technology to the staff of the independent charity WaterAid.

The Greystanes resident has been able “to fulfil my own potential to make a difference” through her employer Pfizer Inc – the world’s leading provider of prescription medicines and animal health products. Pfizer Inc established the Pfizer Global Health Fellows Program in 2003 and has since sent more than 150 employees from around the world to Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America to share their talents and skills and establish health-related programs that can be sustained by local communities.

For the next six months, home for the vivacious Genevieve will be Dar es Salaam – a bustling city of almost three million people on the fringe of the Indian Ocean and Tanzania’s most important centre for business and education.

“The Water Aid office in Dar es Salaam has a fully functioning computer system, but at the moment its staff is not getting the best use of it,” Genevieve explained. WaterAid is a leading independent organisation which enables the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

“I will be working as an IT Specialist – helping the local team set up their Microsoft Office applications in a more user-friendly way, writing training programs and delivering train-the-trainer sessions so that they can continue to get the best from their systems beyond the tenure of the Fellowship,” she added.

With a background in computer graphics, web design and print publishing, Genevieve provides operational support and practical solutions in the use of software applications and computer hardware at Pfizer Australia. Her current primary function is to establish training programs in desktop applications and support for IT solutions. Genevieve has also completed a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.

While she firmly believes she can make a “profound difference” to the working lives of her Tanzanian colleagues, Genevieve is equally certain the experience will be life-changing for her.

“Former Pfizer Global Health Fellows have advised me not to underestimate the impact of the culture change,” Genevieve said. “The population in Dar es Salaam is largely Muslim, so the standards of dress will be quite different, and living in a tropical climate will be a new experience. I have heard the locals don’t have the same sense of urgency about everyday life as we do, but perhaps living in ‘Tanzania Time’ rather than at our own frantic pace will be a good thing!”

And as a former professional photographer, Genevieve will undoubtedly take full advantage of the fabulous pictorial opportunities that such a once-in-a-lifetime experience will provide.

“I grew up in a family with a very strong sense of community. I think this journey is the ideal way to put those values into practice in a very meaningful way,” Genevieve said.