This month's Staff Spotlight features Fatuma, who has had a variety of different job titles and responsibilities over her past four years at JBFC, but who currently works as JBFC's House Manager, overseeing all hospitality regarding the guest housing and international staff housing on campus. Fatuma has moved from being kitchen staff at Papa's Cafe and Bungalows, to running the Papa's kitchen, to assisting with the cooking and cleaning for the volunteer program, to now managing all hospitality for our volunteer program. In 2016, that meant she was responsible for making sure the basic needs of over 150 visitors and volunteers were met while also managing a three person team. We expect an equally busy 2017, and to ensure that Fatuma has the help she needs, we have added an additional member to her team.How long have you been working at JBFC?:
"I've worked at JBFC for 4 years and 2 months."
What are some of your responsibilities for the work you do?:
"I am the House Manager. My responsibilities are cooking, cleaning, making sure that all the guests needs are covered, and coordinating the rest of the house helpers."
What is the biggest challenge you face as the House Manager?:
"My biggest challenge is coordinating the house helpers. For example, if one of them doesn't properly clean one room, because I am the House Manager, I am responsible for that and I find it sometimes difficult to check everything constantly and make sure that my part of the work is done."
What is your favorite part of your job?:
"My favorite part is cooking, even when we have a lot of guests!"
What are you looking forward to in 2017?:
"I'm excited to see my team work very hard!"
JBFC's Chief Operating Officer in Tanzania, Seth Diemond, says "In addition to brightening my life (and basically anyone's life who has visited JBFC over the past four years) day in and day out, Fatuma truly embodies what JBFC stands for. Her work ethic, friendly personality, and the example she sets have rubbed off on our entire campus."
"Fatuma is a favorite among our residential girls and can often be found hanging out with various groups of kids in her free time. She loves to teach the girls how to cook, especially pancakes, and was awarded in August with a Certificate of Recognition for her amazing work during our peak volunteer season. To say the least, Fatuma is an integral part of our team, impacting all the various moving parts of JBFC's work; volunteers, staff, residential girls, and students."
