Vijana FM asks 5 questions to Rakesh Rajani

Vijana FM has asked 5 questions to Twaweza-founder Rakesh Rajani - have a look here.

My favorite is Rakesh' answer to the first question, where he also defines 'a good life':

(1) We can read and hear about your commitments, but we are curious about what motivates you. Why do you want to look into often sticky and long-unresolved issues in Tanzania’s development?

'I think it’s pretty simple. I mean, things need to be done, and you work on them. What else does one do with their life, other than work on the things that are important and are worthwhile?

I wake up in the morning and I’m excited about working on those things. You go to bed and you feel a little tired but you have a sense of fulfillment. Every day I get five to ten affirmations; people calling, sending e-mails, engagements you have, a sense of the difference you have made, a sense of how what you have done has been used by others to make a difference. And that’s a good life.

I don’t know what else to do because it seems otherwise you would have a boring life, a shallow life. So it’s the only life I know how to live, at least for now, and its very fulfilling. It gives you the privilege of engaging with others working on issues that really matter, and in that process I meet some very interesting, powerful people, like yourselves.'

In doubt where to start yourself - have a look here, where I just re-found 5 pieces of concrete (and free) advice on how to engage, also from Rakesh Rajani, noted down at a session at the British Council in Dar es Salaam in 2008.