Founded by FGM sufferer, Rhobi Samwelly, Hope for Women and Girls' is an organisation that runs two safe houses in the Butiama and Serengeti districts of the Mara region of Tanzania, which shelter and support those fleeing FGM, child marriage, and other forms of gender-based violence. The Safe House also homes a few young boys who have been orphaned or subjected to child abuse.
Our Process
Step 1: In-Country Visit
We work with in-country partners to identify developing communities in Africa who would benefit from yoga. We then travel to conduct in-person yoga classes and workshops.
Step 2: Equip & Connect
We equip our partner communities with a device and internet connection so that we can maintain sustainable access to yoga beyond our visit.
Step 3: Free Online Classes
Once our communities are connected with the device and internet, we use mindful technology to develop physical and mental wellness through free online yoga classes.
Step 4: Digital Literacy
We have partnered with Cisco, a global leader in technology, to bring free digital literacy courses. These offer pathways to industry certifications.
Employment
Our students gain valuable skills for enhanced employability. nnMy Little Zen envisions employing local talent, including yoga teachers and network engineers, to support future growth in the future creating a sustainable model.
We use yoga as a tool to connect developing African communities through technology and humanity. The profit from our events funds our work in Africa.
Why Yoga?
Yoga and mindfulness have been shown to improve both physical and mental health. Yoga promotes physical strength because it allows muscles to move in new ways. Yoga relieves stress and anxiety, giving a sense of accomplishment and promoting a stronger mindset.
SDG 4 - Quality education
The United Nations have called on all of its member states to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership.
Our Connecting Africa Project specifically targets the following SDGs:
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovationn
By working with My Little Zen, you are contributing to the above SDGs and making a positive impact on society.
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Yoga Resources
We equip our collaborating communities with:
We collaborate with established yoga brands to provide resources such as yoga mats. Our next step will be to source yoga wear so that our communities can practise comfortably.
Equipping Communities (Essentials)
1 x tablet
1 x tablet case to protect the device
1 x tripod
1 x Bluetooth speaker
1 x 4G router
1 x local sim card
1 x solar powered charging pack for communities without electricity (if required)
Encourages Self-Love and Self-Care
01
Improves Memory and Attention Span
02
06
Improves Self-Control
Increases Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
07
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
03
Promotes Mindfulness
04
Improves Flexibility, Balance and Posture
05
What are the benefits of yoga for children?
We work with schools across the globe to combine yoga with a cultural learning experience.
We work with schools across the globe to combine yoga with a cultural learning experience.
Join us in our mission to make a positive impact on the world. By purchasing our yoga program for your school, you'll not only empower your students with the benefits of yoga but also help provide internet connectivity to a community in Africa for an entire year.
Here's how it works:
Tailored Workshops: We begin by understanding your school's unique objectives and vision. Our team will design five yoga workshops that align with your curriculum and goals, focusing on key postures and alignment.
Global Connection: After completing the workshops, your students will have the opportunity to participate in a one-of-a-kind online experience. They will join students from Africa in a collaborative 'yoga flow' event, fostering cross-cultural understanding and connection.
Holistic Learning: Our program extends beyond yoga practice. Through our My Little Zen learning resources, learners explore new cultures and create meaningful cross-curricular links.
By choosing our yoga program, you contribute directly to bridging the digital divide in Africa. Together, we can uplift communities and inspire a generation of mindful individuals.
Contact us today to bring this transformative experience to your school and become part of a global movement for change.
Read through our slide doc and learn about our work and plans
Bridging communities, uniting hearts and enabling access through yoga and technology.
Contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The future is technologically advanced but still deeply human.
We can shape a world that's both innovative and compassionate.
We believe in the transformative power of yoga and technology in developing communities.
Through the provision of technology and internet access provided by My Little Zen, we empower developing communities to participate in online yoga and digital literacy classes. This not only enhances their physical and mental well-being, but also contributes to future employment opportunities.
The My Little Zen Programme currently serves a diverse range of rural and inner-city communities across Tanzania and Kenya, including FGM safe houses, children's homes, orphanages and schools.
Ikondo School
Tunamkumbuka School
Ericharity Daycare
Nyamanoro Day Care
Nyamanoro Day Care
HOPE FGM Safehouse Butiama
HOPE FGM Safehouse Mugumu
Masanga ATFGM Safehouse
Havilla Children's Home
House of Mercy Children's Rescue Center
Bluebell School
Mlenzi Children’s Home
Happy House Children's Home
Children Impacted
10
2,400
1500
1500
100
1800
2000
2,800
Community Spotlight
At least 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM, based on the latest available data from 31 countries, where the practice is concentrated.
Click to listen to how yoga is helping the girls at Hope
Hope for Girls and Women provides a safe environment for girls escaping female genital mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence in Tanzania.
Girls often arrive at Hope’s safe houses late at night with just the clothes they have run away in. Those arriving on foot have had to navigate from remote, rural villages in the dark.
The yoga classes provided by My Little Zen encourages self-love and self-care whilst developing overall well-being.
To achieve our mission, we have developed an online cultural yoga experience specifically tailored for schools, catering to all age groups. By purchasing our yoga packages, schools not only gain access to a unique yoga experience and global skill swap, but also contribute to a greater cause. The funds generated from our sales are directly utilised to provide essential internet connectivity to the developing communities we work with.
Step 1: We work with in-country partners to identify developing communities across Africa that would benefit from yoga. We then travel to conduct in-person yoga classes and workshops.
Step 1: In-country Yoga Workshop
How do we support developing communities?
Step 2: We provide our partner communities with a device and an internet connection to ensure ongoing access to the programme. The monthly data connection expenses are covered by My Little Zen.
Step 1: In-country Yoga Workshop
Step 2: Internet Connection
How do we support developing communities?
Step 3: We offer live weekly yoga sessions. These sessions promote physical and mental well-being, fostering self-love, compassion, and selfless action. We are grateful to our volunteers who generously facilitate these sessions. Step 1: In-country Yoga Workshop
Step 2: Internet Connection
Step 3: Mindful Technology
How do we support developing communities?
Step 4: Once our partner communities have embraced the Yoga Programme, they have with the opportunity to further enhance their skills by enrolling in Digital Literacy courses. Through our collaboration with Cisco, we provide digital literacy courses and facilitate a pathway to industry certifications.
Step 1: In-country Yoga Workshop
Step 2: Internet Connection
Step 3: Mindful Technology
Step 4: Skill Development
How do we support developing communities?
Our vision for the future is to employ yoga teachers, network engineers, and Cisco instructors, expanding our programme with in-country employees. The skills our graduates learn will enable them to flourish in their chosen careers, whether or not they are employed by My Little Zen.
Step 1: In-country Yoga Workshop
Step 2: Internet Connection
Step 3: Mindful Technology
Step 4: Skill Development
Future Ready (Employment)
Yoga Teachers
Network Engineers
Cisco Instructors
Future Ready (Employment)
Digitally-Empowered Graduates
The United Nations have called on all of its members states to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are "an urgent call for all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership"
Read more about the SDGs here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
My Little Zen is working towards SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation With an initial focus on connectivity as a tool to deliver yoga, our Programme will enable developing countries to access wider educational platforms – providing communities with opportunities to transform their lives as we work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda.
The UN SDGs are deeply interconnected, relying on each other for success.
By introducing My Little Zen technology packages, we are impacting health and well-being through yoga; promoting the empowerment of women through technology; we have opportunities to provide educational packages, which in turn promotes economic growth, resulting in zero hunger.
The future is technologically advanced and deeply human.
We can shape a world that's both innovative and compassionate.
