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. 47 of our school-aged children at the Children's Village attend the local primary school, 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.

When we first enrolled our children in 2004 at Gyetighi Primary School there were 7 teachers provided by the government, 450 students and few textbooks. In July 2007, the Children's Village entered into a 'management contract' with Gyetighi Primary School making it a Charter School.  Since then, we have been working with the Head Teacher, the local Village School Committee, and District Officials in running the school.  We've also provided funds for renovations, supplies, teacher training seminars, and hired more teachers. As of June 2009, there are 14 full-time teachers at Gyetighi Primary School as well as 3 assistant teachers and 5 student teachers.

  • Supplies: Since 2005, we have provided the school with many school materials including textbooks and furniture.
  • Lunch: We have built a kitchen at the school and have been providing a hot lunch program for 450 students since 2006. For many students, who walk an hour to school, this is their only meal of the day. 
  • Medical Attention: We are providing a daily multi vitamin, quarterly worming medicine, and bi-annual well child screening for all the students at the school.
  • Uniforms and shoes: We have provided school uniforms and shoes to 450 students at Gyetighi Primary School (2005 and 2008), 750 students at Oldeani Primary School (2006), and 350 students at Meali Primary School (2007).   
  • Staff: We have hired an additional 5 teachers and 3 assistant teachers and organized 3 teacher training workshops.
  • 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.). The students teach in the classroom for one year with an understanding that we will assist them in finding sponsors to complete their "A-Level" studies (equivalent of 12th grade in the U.S plus one year). 
  • 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 started a Girls Club at the school for the top academic students in Standard 5, 6, and 7 (5th-7th grade). In 2006 we secured secondary school scholarships to four of the graduating Standard 7 students. In 2007 we secured three scholarships for the graduating Standard 7 club members. In 2008, we secured four scholarships for the graduating club members. 
  • Athletics Program: In 2007 we started the first Athletics Program at the school, which provides physical education classes for all children. 
  • Renovations: We have renovated two classrooms and two teachers' houses; built one new classroom, a new latrine with septic and a hand wash station, an incinerator, a school kitchen, and a sports complex including a regulation size soccer field.  

Graduation at Gyetighi Primary School 

Our school year ended on November 27, 2009 with our traditional Field Day and the Closing Ceremony, which is held in our Rec Hall for all the students and teachers. Every year the teachers choose the top academic students for each class. Each student receives a prize for his/her accomplishment! We are proud to announce that half of the prizes were awarded to our kids at the Children’s Village. 

Riziki and Abdul, recipients of the Leadership Awards, during their speech

Abdul Abdallah was awarded #1 for Academics for Standard 6 and the Leadership Award (top boy in the whole school). Riziki Lemomo was awarded the Leadership Award (top girl in the whole school). Riziki and Abdul were selected to give a speech at the Closing Ceremony to express appreciation to their teachers. Jackie Julius was chosen to give a speech to thank our volunteer Andrew Peterson for his contributions to the school’s Athletics Program. All three of our kids were so poised and spoke with such confidence!!! We are so proud of them!! 

Jackie Julius during his speech

Here's the list of our kids who received awards:
• Joshua Emmanuel - ranked #1 in academics for Kindergarten
• Faraja Dawite - #3 academics for Kindergarten
• Boazi Tarmo - #1 academics for Standard 1
• Hadija Salim - #2 academics for Standard 1
• Maria Gilessa - #3 academics for Standard 1
• Josephat Margwe - #2 academics for Standard 2
• Paulo Josephat - #1 academics for Standard 3
• Ismail Abdullah - #2 academics for Standard 3
• Evalina Stephano - #3 academics for Standard 3 and the Cleanliness Award (top girl in the whole school)
• Simon Samwel - #3 academics for Standard 3 (tied with Eva)
• Ester Sarja - #1 academics for Standard 4
• Nicola Dawi - #3 academics for Standard 4
• Daniel Nawe - #1 academics for Standard 5
• Michael Sarja - #2 academics for Standard 5
• Abdul Abdallah - #1 academics for Standard 6 and the Leadership Award (top boy in the whole school)
• Saidi Halifa - #2 academics for Standard 6 and the Sportsmanship Award (top boy in the whole school)
• Riziki Lemomo - Leadership Award (top girl in the whole school)