George's Journey with TAHMO
I am thrilled at the prospect of sharing the remarkable journey of TAHMO over the past decade, alongside my personal experiences and reflections as a member of this dynamic and visionary organization.
My journey with TAHMO began during my early career, where I first encountered the initiative in 2013 as a university student. Drawn by its innovative approach to weather monitoring and resilience-building, I eagerly participated in the inaugural student design competition, finding in TAHMO a platform to bridge theoretical ideals with practical solutions for societal benefit.
After embarking on a career in the Telecommunication industry as a Radio Frequency Optimization engineer, my connection with TAHMO remained strong. In 2016, I officially joined the TAHMO team as it made concerted efforts to expand its network in Uganda under the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) project.
This expansion bore fruit in 2017, leading to a significant increase in partnerships and data collection efforts for development purposes. It marked a pivotal moment for TAHMO, further solidifying its position as a stakeholder in weather monitoring and resilience-building across Africa.
From its inception, TAHMO embodied the culture of most tech startups—dynamic, collaborative, and brimming with possibilities. As someone familiar with the hackathon scene, I felt right at home within this environment, where learning and contributing were seamlessly intertwined.
One pivotal aspect of TAHMO’s success story lies in its strategic partnership with METERGROUP (formerly Decagon), which led to the development of an all-in-one weather station. This innovative collaboration resulted in a highly efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution, making our goal of deploying 20,000 weather stations across Africa a reality. The continuous development of this weather station, with input from the entire team, serves as a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence.
However, our journey was not without its challenges. Early on, TAHMO faced obstacles such as the size of its stations and initial skepticism from some organizations, who viewed us as competition. Over time, the effectiveness of TAHMO’s all-in-one station resolved concerns about size, positioning us as stakeholders in the field. Additionally, we actively sought to collaborate with more organizations, fostering a spirit of partnership and collective impact.
As TAHMO evolved over the years, so too did its organizational culture. What began as a startup culture has matured into a professional entity, guided by principles of excellence and integrity. Despite this transformation, our core values of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity have remained unwavering.
Throughout our journey, we’ve encountered challenges, but each obstacle has only served to strengthen our resolve and deepen our impact. From navigating logistical hurdles to addressing technological complexities, the spirit of resilience and ingenuity within the TAHMO team has always prevailed.
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I am filled with pride for all that we have accomplished together. From pioneering initiatives in student design competitions to leveraging strategic partnerships for innovation, every milestone has been a testament to our shared commitment to excellence.
Looking ahead, I am excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead for TAHMO and its team members. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, guided by our passion for making a positive impact, I am confident that our best days are yet to come.
In closing, I am grateful for the privilege of being part of TAHMO’s journey—a journey marked by innovation, collaboration, and growth. Here’s to the next decade of pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and shaping a brighter future for Africa and beyond.