Emmanuel began having seizures as a teenager.
At first, he had no idea what was happening to him, and without access to medical care, he couldn’t afford to find out. He continued to attend school with his two younger brothers, but every time he experienced a seizure, he’d forget everything he learned. Eventually, he fell so far behind that he had to drop out.
Emmanuel’s mother, Sophia, quit working at a fabric factory to care for Emmanuel full-time. Without their father around, Sophia was the sole provider, and her inability to work financially crippled the family. Emmanuel’s siblings, Samuel and Dastan, also stopped attending school.
Sophia borrowed money from neighbors to take Emmanuel to the hospital, but the medications he received were ineffective. Emmanuel felt like a burden to his family. He worried constantly and feared he’d fall and seriously injure himself during an episode. The stress and anxiety only triggered more seizures. On several occasions, Emmanuel believed he wouldn’t survive.
Hope arrived in 2020 when Emmuanel heard about Zoe Empowers Tanzania through a security officer at a local church. The guard had learned about Zoe’s recent launch in Tanzania through the church’s pastor. Emmanuel joined the program shortly after.
As Emmanuel got to know his group members, which Zoe Empowers reduced to only five children/families due to pandemic restrictions, he was surprised by the commonality of their struggles. For the first time, he did not feel alone.
“They made me feel like I could do anything,” Emmanuel said. This encouragement was exactly what Emmanuel needed. Despite his medical challenges, he began to dream about his future. But first, he needed to get his seizures under control.
Zoe Empowers staff helped Emmanuel obtain a birth certificate and national ID, which allowed him to apply for and receive health insurance. With proper insurance, Emmanuel could access and afford the medication needed to manage his seizures.
Once his health improved, Emmanuel started a charcoal business. He developed a special product involving ash and paper mixed with clay, which allowed his charcoal to burn more slowly than the traditional version.
Many advised Emmanuel against this strategy. They said he would sell more charcoal if it burned quickly, but Emmanuel believed there was a market for a different product.
His instinct was correct. Customers now come from neighboring communities to purchase Emmanuel’s charcoal. The community has dubbed it “Stone Charcoal” for its durability, and he has more business than he can keep up with. People even tell him to start a factory.
And while this idea might seem far-fetched, it speaks to the evolution of his image.
“The respect from my neighbors has increased since Zoe,” Emmanuel said. He explained that many used to view him as idle, limited by his seizures, but now he’s very active and engaged with people around him. He is admired for his business skills.
“They call me a rich man,” Emmanuel said with a smile. This compliment is meaningful, considering he and his brothers used to be embarrassed to attend school in their dirty, torn uniforms. Today, they all proudly wear nice clothing.
Emmanuel’s 2nd Year Video Report
Additionally, Emmanuel moved the family to a new home with water and electricity. He furnished it with a bed, sofa, television, and TV stand. Daily meals consist of healthy, nutritious food, and Samuel and Dastan were able to re-enroll in school.
Dashan recently passed his exams, received a scholarship, and now attends college for mass communication. He hopes to one day work in radio or television. Samuel also dreams of attending college to study engineering.
Emmanuel graduated from the Zoe Empowers program in 2023 but remains close with his group members. Together, they support one another’s businesses and goals and maintain a group maize project.
Currently, Emmanuel is focused on increasing demand for charcoal through social media marketing to scale his business. He feels confident about the direction of his life and knows that if he continues to work hard, he’ll continue to succeed.
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