Kusal Perera (past volunteer) – Marketing Development Adviser, Arusha in Tanzania

Kusal was based in Auckland as Senior Business Manager with Fonterra Ingredients and living in Ohope before he left for Tanzania to start his VSA assignment in May 2010.

What Kusal did in Tanzania

Kusal’s partner organisation, the Tanganyika Farmers Association (TFA), was set up to represent Tanzania’s farmers and their communities. Its members range from small landholders to large commercial farmers. TFA supplies and distributes agricultural inputs to its members which include farm machinery and livestock supplies as well as purchasing and storing agricultural produce.

Kusal’s main role was to mentor and develop TFA’s sales and marketing team to help the organisation improve profits and be a market leader in Tanzania.

He also advised, developed and assisted in strategic growth initiatives across TFA, working with Human Resources to ensure initiatives were sustainable and appropriate. Kusal also mentored and tutored the management trainees and TFA Interns.

Making a positive impact

Kusal focused on training senior managers in corporate governance, strategy and sales. He was helping them to develop strategies to meet their goals. The key goal was to start making a profit. In 2011 they were able to break even for the first time in 15 years. 

Kusal also became the sales manager and appointed a sales team of six bright young graduates. He worked with them to help them become more efficient and develop the infrastructure they need to handle future growth.  

Kusal loved being on assignment finding it to be a tremendous professional experience. “The VSA experience has changed my life, especially in terms of career development. It taught me about leadership.”

Kusal’s highlights

“You are forced to live in the moment. You do not have the opportunity to revisit the past or day dream about the future. You end up re-examining your own attitudes, values and ideals. You are no longer bound by expectations or perceptions. It's life altering on a daily basis.”

“I have to constantly remind myself that I'm the trainer wheels and not the bike. At some point I'm not going to be here. So the challenge is being single minded on that task of building capacity, teaching people how to think rather than what to think. I've found to do this one has to be highly objective and almost slightly removed from society.”

“I'll absolutely miss the 'rawness' of my assignment. Everything is grass roots. The work we do at TFA impacts individuals, communities and whole regions. Everything is hands on. It's back to the basics of business that I'll miss that the most.”

What Tanzania has taught Kusal

“How to and the importance of listening and following your instincts."

“My true calling within a corporate setting.”

“How to drive a manual.”