The Happiness Now Project
The Happiness Now Project is a social enterprise project, and a collaborative initiative between Enactus NSCC teams, NSCC Entrepreneurship, and NSCC International.
The project began in 2018, when NSCC students travelled to Tanzania with NSCC International in partnership with VETA Hotel & Tourism Traning Institute (VHTTI), creating a longstanding connection between the country and the college. During this trip, students became aware of economic and environmental challenges that Tanzanians often face, leading to the creation of the project.
Since then, the project has brought together Canadian and Tanzanian students and staff to explore entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, and social entrepreneurship.
Key focuses of this project include:
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Empowering Tanzanian women through entrepreneurship and education
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Fostering sustainable economic growth
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Recognizing the importance of gender equality and female empowerment
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Addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Happiness Project is being transformed into the Water Connects Us Project. This project is focused on transforming the daily cost of unsafe water in Tanzania into a women-led initiative that pays for itself, builds entrepreneurial skills, and strengthens community health.
Watch: Learn More About The Happiness Project
Sustainable Development Goals
The Happiness Now Project addresses the following United Nations SDGs:
Project Achievements (2022-2024)
1
NanoFilter water kiosk was purchased and installed at VHTTI, providing the local community with 200 litres of safe drinking water per day, significantly reducing waterborne illnesses, while dramatically cutting down on single-use plastic pollution.
16
Tanzanian Students who participated in the 2024 Happiness Project, recieved 2 litre refillable water jugs, purchased from a female Tanzanian entrepreneur.
4
Refillable 20 litre water jugs were provided to VHTTI students, 1 per dormitory.
TSH 500,000
Invested to purchase 30 handmade Maasai Shukas (large scarves/blankets) and hand-beaded jewlery from the women in the Happiness Vicoba to be used as a fundraiser for the project.
TSH 500,000 is equivalent
to $260 CAD
TSH 1,000,000
Reinvested from fundraising profits into the Happiness Vicoba, reminding women that it was their own work that generated the profit for reinvestment.
TSH 1,000,000 is equivalent
to $520 CAD
30
Maasai women were supported with a group investment in their Vicoba, allowing them install safe stoves in their homes, reducing burns, injuries, and lung issues.
5
Tanzanian women received a full day of business planning education and networking opportunities, in collaboration with 3 partner colleges and 2 CBOs, funded by the Happiness Project.
Project Achievements (2018-2022)
86
Tanzanian college students recieved entrepreneurship and business planning education, gaining experience in running their own small businesses for profit.
25
Tanzanian women recieved investments equivalent to 3 months' salary for their Village Community Banking System (Vicoba), and local business mentorship. This support led to over 70 children being educated and lifted out of poverty.
5
Orphans recieved full scholarships, including tuition and boarding fees, to educational programs at NSCC's partner college, VETA Hotel & Tourism Traning Institute (VHTTI). These students also participated in the Happiness Project.
2
Tanzanian Women recieved local mentorship through their Vicoba, becoming legal entrepreneurs and being able to afford schooling for their children within a year.
1
Tanzanian entrepreneur, through participation in the Happiness Project, earned enough money from her business to pay for a full year of her daughter's medical school tuition.
