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Mercy Sila, an accountant with a bright vision
2005-05-19 08:13:55
By Rachel Mkundai
It is a challenging task to be both a mother and an employee. This is simply because it is hard to predict children’s needs, and at the same time meet office work deadlines.
Some women who are self-employed at times engage themselves in small-scale businesses, just to keep themselves busy.
No matter whether they are married or not, women have economic plans which enable them be independent, and rely on themselves and their dependants.
A particular job reminds women that they have an identity in the society, and that is specifically their role as mothers and wives at the same time.
Despite being 50 years old, Mercy Sila, still looks young, taking care of her children and family at large, at the same time very busy in her office.
Mercy is the Director General of Tanzania Education Authority, which has the task of making sure that education is equally provided to all in the country.
She is specifically interested in making sure that she helps women attain a better economic - social future.
Speaking with confidence, Mercy says that she did her primary education at Kigamboni Primary School in Temeke district, before joining Forodhani Secondary School in Dar es Salaam for her ordinary and advanced level secondary education.
After secondary school education she joined Nyegezi Social Training Centre, (now St Augustine University) in Mwanza where she took an Advanced Diploma in Accountancy.
She later pursued National Board of Accountants and Auditors examinations, which enabled her get an opportunity to pursue MBA at City University in London, in the United Kingdom.
Mercy considers herself having a bright future because she has an interest to study various things, and at the same time ready to face challenges.
A mother of five, Mercy has also worked for nine years as the Director of Finance, Administration and Personnel at the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre, before shifting to Tanzania Revenue Authority as a Commissioner for Human Resources and Administration for six years.
The work, she said, has given her more exposure to other women in the profession and corporates. While at TRA, Mercy says she played her role as a professional woman to encourage gender equality in all sectors.
A wife to a Local Government Reform Program Officer, Mercy spends enough time with her family, despite her busy schedule. As a mother and a career woman balancing both tasks was a little bit difficult.
She says that key to be a successful working woman is for one to manage well her daily schedule.
Mercy argues that there is a need to acquire the habit of getting things ready the night before, for the things you want to do the following day.
She recommends a timetable for each child at home and says that it should be pinned in the kitchen if possible.
Mercy says that taking care of everyone else can leave one running around like a headless chicken. It is vital that you have some time alone from time to time.
Enough time helps one to reorganize his/her activities, she says.
\'To have a busy schedule at work does not hinder one from participating in community activities\' she says.
My level of education, she says, and her position at work, cannot hinder her participation in community activities, and she likes involving herself in community development activities,supporting other women and orphans.
“I have mobilized women around my living area at Mbezi beach and also established Moonlight Women Group where we all participate in various socio-economic activities to boost our income,” she says.
Women have wide opportunities, but the problem is that most of them do not want to utilize them effectively.
Mercy is also the Chairperson of Tanzania Association of Accountants, and she also spends her spare time in church as a choir singer.
“There is no success without determination. First determine what you want to pursue, then commit yourself in it, taking it seriously” She adds.
rmkundai@guardian.co.tz
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