Tanzanian Children's Fund

Education

The work of the Tanzanian Children’s Fund extends beyond the Children’s Village and into the hearts and minds of hundreds of students from the area. In January 2007, we enrolled 30 of our children from the Children’s Village at Gyetighi Primary School. Our aim is to ensure that our children develop a strong bond with their community, which also benefits the needy children in our area. We believe that one of the critical factors to success as an adult is a good education.

  • Supplies: Gyetighi Primary School has 450 students, 8 teachers and few textbooks. Since 2005, we have provided the school with many school materials including books and furniture.
  • Lunch: We have built a kitchen at the school and are providing a hot lunch program for 450 students. For many students, who may walk an hour to school, this is their only meal of the day.
  • Medical Attention: We are providing a vitamin a day and worming medicine for all the students at the school.
  • Uniforms and shoes: We have provided school uniforms and shoes to 450 students at Gyetighi Primary School and to 750 students at Oldeani Primary School.
  • Student Teacher Program: We have implemented a Student Teacher program which is a scholarship program for students from our area who have completed their “ordinary level” education (equivalent of 11th grade in the U.S.) and have joined us for one year with an understanding that we will assist them in finding sponsors to complete their “A-Level” studies (equivalent of 12th grade plus one year in the U.S.)
  • Volunteers: Volunteers from the Children’s Village teach English at all levels at the school. In Tanzania, primary school is taught in Swahili with a separate subject in English. Secondary school is taught completely in English so it is critical students have a command of English before beginning their secondary school education.
  • Girls Club: We have also started a Girls Club at the school for the top academic students in Standard 5, 6, and 7 (5th-7th grade). In 2006 we awarded secondary school scholarships to four of the graduating Standard 7 students.
  • Charter School: We are currently negotiating a ‘management contract’ with Gyetighi Primary School which will become a Charter school in July 2007. Working with the local Village School Committee, we will provide funding for renovations at the school; hire more teachers; provide textbook and school supplies. We will strengthen the academic curriculum and implement Sports, Music and Art programs.