BOUNDLESS GIVING: Tausi Likola is lending a helping hand to the community

Tausi Likokola, a woman who has given so much hope to so many impoverished Tanzanians has persistently stayed true to her course of helping those who are less fortunate. This has made her become an admired figure in her country, Tanzania.

Likokola grew up between her grandmother and father’s household after her mum passed when she was still a toddler. Growing up, her life was filled with love as she was taken good care of by her grandparents. “I have loving memories of my grandmother’s home cooking and peaceful upbringing,” she says. Likokola loved going to school despite of the fact that she was a very shy and quiet girl.

Today, she is an International Model, Humanitarian, a Writer and a Mother. Her success in life didn’t come as a surprise; Likokola learnt how to multitask at a very young age. She would juggle between school, helping her grandmother in the family business and also gave classes to younger kids. “I was good in school,” she recalls, and adds, “When I grew up and had my own family and opportunities to do much more, I just had to prioritise....life is all about how we prioritise our time and discipline ourselves.”

Life’s enduring moments

Likokola has had a few life’s enduring moments. Sharing two of them, she speaks; “one was when I visited a detention center here in Dar-es-salaam and saw young girls who seemed to have lost all hope for the future. It was apparent that what made them end up at the facility is a string of bad choices, dismal opportunities, lack of proper direction and guidance.

I realised how blessed I was and how I could impact their lives and the lives of many other young women. Another moment was when I became a mother for the first time and shortly thereafter I lost my child.” Both moments defined her and what she was going to do to make life better.

Such moments made her reflect on life and its meaning. It is then that she decided to start giving back to the community.

“As a Christian I believe in giving for it to be given back to you, we are all called to give. When I focus on issues outside my comfort zone, not only do I grow, but I find even more purpose in my own existence and often minimize my own life challenges for whatever we go through in life, often there’s someone facing deeper issues,” she notes.

Likokola is still in the limelight, though in a whole different perspective; since her days as a top model, she has since become a mother. This has made her become more sensitive to human kind than ever before. She has more compassion about life stemming from the harsh experiences she’s had to go through herself. As a result, she gives back to the community as a sign of her appreciation of life and her own strength at overcoming ordeals. “I understand what it is to gain and lose. As long as I can, I will always help the community,” she speaks.

Likokola’s efforts of helping others have in the long run helped to see a different perspective of life.

“We are richer when we see ourselves in the eyes of others. When I talk to a person like Mariam, my sister with albinism who lost both her arms from attacks on people living with albinism, but she still smiles and even encourages me, it shows me different perspectives of life. I want to continue growing, continue learning and continue touching as many people as possible,” Likokola speaks.

Everyday she’s given strength not to back down on her efforts of giving. Her view on life is about giving and receiving, the moment you stop giving, you gain less. “Don’t confuse giving or limit it to only your family. To me family is defined wider than blood to premises God allows you to reach and embrace,” she states.

In every charity endeavour, there are some critical results expected to be produced, according to Likokola, she expects to see more people giving. The more everybody gets involved, the better the chances of seeing efforts make a real difference.

“It is critical that when in position to give, give. Giving isn’t only about money but our time, our expertise and other resources,” Likokola says, and adds, “start by giving when you’re at home, then outside to the world, live it with your actions...get engaged with your children’s needs or those you call family or those that you can reach.... then extend your hand to the world.” She also advises that if one has a talent that no one else has, they should use it. “Don’t remain a victim, we all have gone through things in life and still go through situations but that is part of life....learn, get better and keep moving,” she notes.

Likokola dreams of seeing a better Tanzania. She thanks and applauds the efforts that President Magufuli has so far showed in his presidency. “I see his presidency as a new angle for Tanzania. But our president can’t do it all by himself, we all need to work hard, smart and responsibly. Do what you can on your own instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you,” she urges. She advises people to use what they have regardless of how small it is. Live within your means, get educated and get involved in your own household and community.

Talking about her proudest moment in life, Likokola states that a decade ago she was able to reach many lives through a non-profit organisation which she started in Germany.

Many lives were changed here in Tanzania and beyond. A tie was created between Tanzania and Germany through some of the initiatives she was blessed to be a part of. “When I look back, I do thank God for allowing me to be the tool and bridge for the lives that were changed....for that I am grateful and proud,” she says.

Herv advise to future generation

Read, get excited and be hopeful about the future. “Prepare and be ready to move beyond your dreams for no one can limit you but yourself...Life is what we make of it,” she speaks, and adds, “Where there’s hope, there’s a better future....it starts with a seed before it grows to a tree...as long as we do something about our situation to better it, things will improve for the better.”

Likokola has a number of projects that she is currently working on. She just launched Tausi Dreams LTD in Tanzania and introduced her brand fragrance and Hairline. This month she’ll be taping a model search show with a local TV channel, she has her 5th book on work, and charity ‘Tausi and Friends Fashion For Life’ to reach as many lives as possible.

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