Khadija is a student from one of our earliest cohorts of students sponsored through Project Wezesha. Khadija is the daughter of former Mgaraganza Village Chief, Bitata, who was instrumental in the founding of Project Wezesha back in 2009. Her brother Ashahadu and sister-in-law Janny have been generous hosts to Lucas, me and several of our volunteers and guests over the years.
It makes all of us very happy and proud to see Khadija in her newest role as an entrepreneur. With the support of Project Wezesha donors, Khadija was able to complete secondary school and then attend vocational school to earn a certificate in clerical studies. She completed internships in offices in Kigoma and Kasulu. Then for three years she made a brave move to work in Muscat, Oman through a family connection. Continue reading “Khadija – Kigoma’s Newest Woman Entrepreneur”
The day we first met Rabia (left of Rai) and awarded her a secondary school scholarship.
Rabia was selected as a Project Wezesha student due to her performance as a standard 7 primary school student years ago. She lived in a small village along Lake Tanganyika and attended a remote, under-resourced school.
We supported Rabia through secondary school, but she struggled due to the fact that all secondary subjects are taught in English and her proficiency level was at a beginner level. She began to improve in many of her courses and with her English when she started to participate in our bi-annual academic study camps. Nonetheless, she didn’t pass the national exams after Form 4, which would have given her the option of attending high school. For Rabia, that was ok. Her goal was to become a tailor and eventually become a business owner.Continue reading “Rabia – A Tailor in the Making”
Over the river and through the … cassava fields we go. Lucas, his brother Maiko (Michael) and I walked 7 hours on Thursday July 11th to collect applications from girls at 4 primary schools in Kagongo and Mgaraganza villages. We started reasonably early so the sun didn’t beat down on us until we had finished our final school visit. We meandered through forests, fields, villages – along tarmac, paths and dusty roads – past goats, sheep, chickens and many many watoto! Oh how I love the kids.
The ensuing walk to Jane’s house was a little toasty. I’ve written of Jane often in previous blogs. She is our friend (and Ashahadu’s wife) in Mgaraganza village who unfailingly cooks us lunch before we make the journey back to town. She is also the very gracious host that has given much love, laughter, a bed and food to a few of my friends and interns who have passed through with Project Wezesha. We all love Jane – aka, Mama Mickey!
(Mickey (Mike) is her son and it’s customary to call woman by the title Mama followed by the name of their first born. Lucas’ mother for example is Mama Sofia – Sofia being Lucas’ older sister, the firstborn.)
Our original aim of selecting 30 girls for the new Girls Education Tanzania program holds, however our numbers have shifted a bit to accommodate numbers in various villages. Mgaraganza village with a population of about 12,000 residents has four primary schools. We have accepted 10 applications from this village. We decided to reduce the number of girls accepted from Kalalangabo, Mtanga and Kigalie because each village on the lake has only 1 primary school. If we were to accept 6 from each, it would be a stretch for the head teacher of each school to even identify 6 that would successfully pass the examinations to go to secondary school. If, however, when the results come back we discover that there are more girls in these villages who pass through to secondary school, then we will have some space to negotiate. Basically, we’ll know by the end of next week how many spots we fill and we won’t force 30 if 30 aren’t eligible.
Dola, Rai, Ajira and Skola
On our first recruitment mission, we received applications for the following lovely young girls, who were shy, but giggled with their hands over their mouths as I greeted them in English, told them about the program and congratulated them for having high marks – earning them top ranks among the girls in their class. Two of the girls were not only the first among the girls, but the first among all students: Dola and Sada. Way to go, you rock stars!
Check out Girls Education International on Facebook to see an album filled with all the girls we are welcoming into our Tanzania program! www.facebook.com/GirlsEd
in her newest role as an entrepreneur. With the support of Project Wezesha donors, Khadija was able to complete secondary school and then attend vocational school to earn a certificate in clerical studies. She completed internships in offices in Kigoma and Kasulu. Then for three years she made a brave move to work in Muscat, Oman through a family connection. Continue reading “Khadija – Kigoma’s Newest Woman Entrepreneur”
