Awarded 18 Gault Millau points, she is the only woman in the top two categories alongside 30 men. However, she does not want to be reduced to her gender, as she has never seen being a woman as a disadvantage in her profession.

“In my life, I have always been lucky enough to be able to change my situation myself. However, I am aware that not everyone has this privilege. Girls and women in particular are disadvantaged in many parts of the world because of their gender. That’s why it means a lot to me to be committed to the self-determination of girls and women,” explains Tanja Grandits.

That is why she would like to be particularly involved in the Ebli project in Tanzania, where we are committed to the education of girls and young mothers. In traditional Tanzania, women have little right of co-determination and are oppressed. They often lack the most basic necessities. To escape their situation, they enter into relationships with much older men who entice them with financial promises and gifts.

If the girls become pregnant or even contract HIV, society rejects them even more. Then they are no longer even allowed to go to school and lose their job prospects. With Ebli, we offer these girls and young women courses to help them set up a small business, for example. Or help them to discover their skills. This was the case with 19-year-old Grace Nhungu, who got involved with an older man out of poverty, lost everything, but found a new perspective for the future thanks to Ebli. Read her story in the next issue of our magazine.

Tanja Grandits is impressed by the project. “Everyone should have the chance to make something of their life. Grace Nhungu’s story touched me and strengthened my commitment. I can hardly wait to travel to Tanzania next year and visit terre des hommes schweiz and Ebli’s project.”

Tanja Grandits will kick off her role as an ambassador for terre des hommes schweiz on December 14, 2018 with a charity dinner at Restaurant Stucki in Basel. Find out more here.

We are delighted to have the support of Tanja Grandits. Enjoy it with us and reserve your place at the charity dinner!”