Dr. Tererai Trent
Dr. Tererai Trent is a senior consultant with more than 18 years of international experience in professional Program & Policy Evaluation. Her work has taken her to five continents; this includes working for a major global humanitarian organization, Heifer International as a Deputy Director for Planning and Evaluation. In addition to having extensive evaluation expertise, Dr. Trent is a motivational and informative speaker. Her message is compelling precisely because it is enriched by her experiences of growing up in rural Africa. Her humble eloquence and rich authenticity leave audiences with a lasting impression of what it means to overcome humble beginnings and to achieve one's dreams.
Almost two decades ago in her village in Zimbabwe, Tererai met a woman who would profoundly impact her life. Jo Luck, President and CEO of Heifer International, helped Tererai believe that she could achieve her dreams of an education when she said, "If you believe in your dreams, they are "achievable"—which, in Tererai's native language, is "Tinogona." Taking that as her inspiration, Tererai wrote her dreams of achieving a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and then the almost insurmountable goal of obtaining her doctoral degree, on a piece of paper, sealed them in a tin can, and buried them under a rock. In doing so, she became her own dream keeper. In doing so she was breaking down the vicious cycle of poverty in her life— being married at a young age, and having 3 children by the age of 18 years without any education.
After years of hard work earning her bachelor's and master's degrees while raising a family, despite an abusive relationship, Tererai has achieved each of her buried dreams, and now hopes to improve life for others through her work as a program evaluator, public speaking, and – with 1.5 million assistance from Oprah- helping to build a school in her home village in Zimbabwe so that many other children have the opportunity to get an education. Tererai now holds a doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Evaluation.
Tererai has been a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show twice, where she has reached millions with her powerful messages of never giving up on your goal, and the importance of education and women's empowerment. Tererai has also been featured in Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, a New York Times best seller written by columnist Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
In twenty-five years and more than 30,000 guests—Oprah Winfrey chose Tererai Trent as 'her all-time favorite guest'. Because of her amazing 'never give up' attitude as indicated by her personal story of growing up in poverty, and her desire to give back to others, Tererai's life is an inspiration and a lesson in perseverance.
October 2011, Sharing Gifts of Hope, MDIM is offering an evening of entertainment which will include Live Music, Live and Silent Auctions, and opportunity to meet our Mozambique board members. We are excited to have a very special guest speaker, Dr. Tererai Trent, who Oprah named as her favorite all time guest will be sharing her inspiring story.
