A story of commitment to human dignity

For 35 years, Ruth Nesje and her husband Odd have been working tirelessly to contribute to the local communities of Tanga, Tanzania. TICC is their African dream and the accumulation of all their experiences.

Jørgen Kvalsvik and Andreas Rau
Ruth Nesje assisting a student in cleaning up a childs wound
Ruth seems to have an extra motor. She is helping everywhere and constantly spreads good energy around her
Portrait of Ruth Nesje

Now, that dream about TICC has come true, quite organically

Ruth Nesje, founder of TICC

In Tanga, we got the sea. That was important to us, as both me and my husband grew up by the sea. So we stayed here, even though the climate is better in the mountains

22 years old

Ruth became the youngest District Health Manager in a Norwegian Municipality

3 months

In this time, Ruth managed to learn the Swahili language

Countless days

Went into the dreams and struggles with TICC

People at TICC 25 Odd and Ruth together

The entrepreneurship I got from my father, the verbal, social side from my mother

House being built at TICC Fence being built for TICC

Odd took the responsibility for the construction work. He supervised the local craftsmen and later educated all our maintenance guys, too. Without him, this would never have been possible.

2003

Bought the land in Tanga

2007

Started building the centre

2008

The first 25 students arrive

Ruth Nesje handshaking a resident of the elderly home

TICC Ltd.

Not generating any profits TICC could be organized entirely as welfare organization, but Ruth and Odd decided to instead establish an Ltd. that contributes its taxes to the society of Tanzania.

In Norway, we like to be so sophisticated all the time and often miss out on the basics. Here it’s all about the basics.

People at TICC 25

We have had so many success histories here. This is what gives us the energy to continue

In the future, we want to be even more out in the field — in the villages, with our students.