Friday, April 11, 2014

Behind the Scenes: Dr. Aniemus Temba

Dr. Anicetus Temba
Deputy Treasurer of the NY-TZ Community

Powering Potential Advocate

Dr. Anicetus Temba has always been a man with a compelling vision for himself and his people. A native of Tanzania, Temba began his journey with a primary education in Moshi followed by attending Laming Secondary School. He acquired higher education at Dar es Salaam Technical College before going to Mexico Polytechnic - formerly CENETI (Centro National Technical Industrial) -  for industrial engineering and a specialty in electro-mechanics. His foresight propelled him towards Colorado Technical University for a Master’s in Business Science with a specialization in information technology, project management and industrial transformation. Walden University would further establish his credentials with a Ph.D. in Applied Management, Decision Science and Information Management Systems.

This standard of educational excellence is the defining characteristic of the current Deputy Treasurer of the New York-Tanzanian Community, an organization established in 2011 that has extended welcome arms to Powering Potential's efforts. 

A successful businessman in food processing systems and a scientific thinker, Dr. Temba emphasizes the importance of making the transition from Tanzanian to American culture to his people. I came here first in 1976, then returned to the US in 1980 to stay on as a resident,” he recollects. “It was difficult because for a long time Tanzanians here were separated into groups based on the region they came from back home,” he remembers. “This changed when we decided to connect the Tanzanian Community through the Tanzanian Embassy to establish board members and an executive committee.”

Temba took the position of Deputy Treasurer to ensure that all activities within the community are well coordinated and the leadership is all working together. He stressed the importance of focusing on education, teaching Swahili, technology and knowledge transference and getting others involved with their cause. Social interaction, he said, is vital to the Tanzanian people.

When asked how he first got involved with Powering Potential, Temba chuckles at the memory. “Photography is my hobby. I met Janice at the Tanzanian Mission to the United Nations by chance. She looked like someone I needed to know, so I decided to take her picture. She ended up giving me her card. ” 

He found himself extremely impressed with Founding Executive Director Janice Lathen and the Educating-Through-Technology  program. Temba would later invite her to give a presentation in Harlem for the NY-TZ Community, which would lead to inviting Ms. Lathen to become a member. 

Dr. Temba believes Tanzania requires more quality exposure so that its people are no longer invisible. “The Powering Potential educational platform has big potential not just for Tanzania, but all of Africa,” Temba remarked. “The impact itself is going to expose Tanzanians to the outside world. The rate of knowledge will be incredible.

In this situation, Dr. Temba has pledged to continue increasing membership with the NY-TZ Community while spreading awareness of our cause. Powering Potential is certainly thankful to have such a visionary advocate helping us achieve true educational reform.


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