My Red Couch Talk with Julian Page
From a career in facilities management at a large international law firm to co-founding a community-focused charity in rural Tanzania, Julian Page’s journey is one of bold reinvention and deep commitment. Redundancy led him to reimagine his path—earning a Master’s in International Development with Sustainable Tourism and setting the foundations for what would become Mikuyu Tanzania (formerly the Livingstone Tanzania Trust).
Since 2006, Julian has been based in Babati, Tanzania, officially registering the charity in 2007. What began with the mission “poverty alleviation through education” has evolved into a more holistic vision: “working with communities to overcome the barriers that young people face when trying to access a quality education.”
What sets Julian’s work apart is his belief in staying, listening, and learning. Mikuyu Tanzania focuses on one location—building long-term relationships rather than “helicoptering” in and out. Julian and his team understand that life is complex, and no single intervention will break the cycle of poverty.
To explain their approach, Julian uses a powerful metaphor:
“When you think of a piece of string tied around a bucket of tomatoes that you want to pull up to the balcony on the third floor, the string is strong because it’s made of many individual cords. On their own, they’re too weak, but together they can lift the load. Poverty alleviation is the same—each cord represents education, health, livelihoods, transportation, gender equity, and inclusion. Together, they make the difference.”
This holistic model thrives on local collaboration, consultation, participation, and co-production—ensuring that solutions are rooted in the realities and culture of the community. Watch the full interview, and please ask questions directly on the YouTube video.
The Big Give – Christmas Appeal 2025
From 2–9 December, please support Mikuyu Tanzania’s Big Give Christmas Appeal — every donation during that week will be DOUBLED through match-funding.
https://www.mikuyutanzania.org/biggive
https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005n58XYAQ
Connect with Julian Page & Mikuyu Tanzania
🌐 Mikuyu Tanzania
Contact Julian Page on LinkedIn, mentioning the Red Couch Talks.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-page-8070ab20/
The Red Couch Talks
The Red Couch Talks feature thought leaders, expats, and entrepreneurs in #globalmobility. We use a red couch as a backdrop for a deeper conversation, almost like a coaching session. It’s the only furniture we‘ve had since I was eight. It’s been around the block and travelled with me from place to place. It’s almost falling apart, but it’s my happy place to chill. If you want to join Angie Weinberger on a Red Couch Talk, please email us.
