Meet Debora Jumanne

Debora Jumanne was born on December 23rd, 1991, in the heart of Tanzania’s Singida region. Her childhood was simple, rooted in the rhythms of rural life — surrounded by her family, learning, growing, and dreaming like any young girl might.

But everything changed when she was in Class 6 of primary school. Her father passed away, and the family's foundation shook. As one of the eldest children, Debora had to step in to help. Farming and caring for livestock became part of her daily life. Yet, somehow, she managed to continue her education and even reached Form 2 in secondary school. That’s when the money ran out. Her schooling — and her dreams — had to pause.

Hope returned when a caring relative brought her to Arusha. There, she was given a rare gift: support and vocational training. Debora chose tailoring — not just a skill, but a path toward independence.

In 2013, Debora married. She and her husband built a modest life together. They were blessed with two children — a bright, curious daughter and a playful young son. Her husband worked as a tourist driver, and though life wasn’t luxurious, it was stable. They even saved enough to buy a small piece of land — a symbol of progress and possibility.

Then came the darkness.

Her husband lost his job and took up work as a school bus driver — less pay, more uncertainty. Soon after, his health began to decline. He discovered a mass on his chest, but they had no money to seek proper treatment. For two years, they waited and hoped.

Eventually, they managed to visit Mount Meru Referral Hospital. A surgery was performed and he was referred to Dar es Salaam — where, to their shock, he was diagnosed with breast cancer. The cost of care in Dar was far beyond their means, so they turned to KCMC Hospital in Moshi for chemotherapy. That year-long treatment was only made possible by the generosity of family and relatives. They had no health insurance, and each month brought more worry than the last.

Despite everything they tried, the battle became too heavy.

In December 2025, Debora lost her husband.

What followed was not only grief, but a sudden and overwhelming shift in responsibility. Debora found herself a single mother, carrying the full weight of providing for her family while mourning the loss of her partner.

After the funeral and the Christmas season, life demanded difficult decisions. When the new school year began, Debora had to make a heartbreaking choice for the sake of her children’s future. Her daughter was sent to live with her grandmother, where she could continue her education. Though it was the right decision, it meant living apart — a quiet sacrifice that only a mother’s love can explain.

Her young son remains with her in Arusha and attends a nearby school. But even this comes with challenges. The annual school fees of 1,000,000 TZS are a heavy burden for Debora, who is still trying to rebuild her life and income from the ground up.

Her small tailoring business — once her hope for independence — is now in urgent need of renovation. The roof, the floor, the walls, the interior — all require repair before she can truly restart and grow her work. Without this, earning a stable income remains uncertain.

And yet, even in the midst of loss, something has begun to shift.

With the support of Stichting Tupendane Nederland (STN), Debora received a loan of 1,000,000 TZS to begin renovating her tailoring shop. It is not just a financial step — it is a step toward rebuilding her life.

The renovations have now started.

It is a fragile but powerful beginning. A sign that even after loss, there can still be movement. Still hope.

Today, Debora carries many roles: a grieving wife, a devoted mother, and a woman determined to stand on her own feet again. The dreams she once held — of growing her tailoring business and one day training other women — are still there. Quiet, but not gone.

The weight she carries is still heavy. But so is her resilience.

And still, Debora shows up — with a warm smile, a gentle strength, and a courage that refuses to disappear. She is the kind of woman who inspires others without even trying.

In the Neema group, she finds comfort, connection, and a place where she is not alone. She calls it a pillar — and it is. A safe space in a world that has asked so much of her.

Debora does not ask for much. But she deserves more than she has been given.

A little support could mean:
• Stability in education for her children
• The ability to fully rebuild her tailoring business
• A steady income to provide for her family
• A path back toward her dream of empowering other women

Because even the strongest women — even the ones who carry loss with grace — sometimes need someone to say:

“You are not alone.”