I quit my job to leave South Shields for dream trip helping women in Tanzania
A woman living in South Shields has quit her job and is now packing her bags to support women in Africa.
IT worker Maureen Campbell has quit her job to fly out on a dream trip to Africa helping women in business.
The 60-year-old from South Shields is packing her bags for a three-month summer break to Tanzania to support women-owned businesses in the African nation.
She will spend her time using her knowledge in IT to support brands set up in Moshi, a town to the north of the country.
‘I want to give back’
“It aligns with what I want to give back” she explains. “I did some volunteering in Cambodia and I thoroughly enjoyed that.”
This isn’t the first time Maureen has taken her skills and knowledge abroad.
“This is another opportunity which is more aligned with what I want to do” she explains.
After years of working in IT, she taught English in the far east in late 2019 and is now set to use the skills she has previously learned in her career and put them to further good use.
Supporting women-owned businesses
Through the organisation Give A Heart To Africa, she will fly out this May to support women in the nation build a life for themselves as business owners.
“I was looking at volunteer opportunities and someone I know had volunteered with these people. They only work in one place so it’s not like it’s a big charity” she adds.
“They work with women who want to set up their own businesses. A lot of them are sewing businesses. I sewed my own wedding dress so I have a background in sewing!
“I can help them set up a website and support them with their social media. It’s a skill I have and one not many of the volunteers may have.”
Part of the trip needs additional funding, with a fundraising page set up to support her trip.
In addition to working for the likes of the Olympic Games and United Nations, Maureen is also a qualified teacher.
The 60 year-old, who previously lived in Chester le Street but moved to South Shields, has quit her job for the adventure and will look for new roles when she returns.