Increase Girls' Access to Education in Tanzania

Dear Girls Ed Supporters, 

We are delighted to share some joy this holiday season. This fall, many young women from our program began their first semesters at university. They are attending universities all over the country from Arusha and Dodoma to Mbeya and Dar es Salaam. In early November, they reported to their respective institutions, settled into the dorms, and began taking classes with a cohort of their peers. They made new friends from all over the country and began the process of adapting to a new academic culture. For many of these young women, this is the first time they have traveled away from home. They are also the first in their families to attend university, which makes them and their families very proud. 

From afar, they send regular updates to our in-country partner, Lucas of Project Wezesha via What's App and SMS. Some of those updates are simply collections of photos capturing their campus experiences. (Lots of smiles!) Check out the photos attached with this report - Serafina sent photos of herself with a classmate during a laboratory section at the University of Dodoma, the country's capital. Saidati sent photos of herself in front of her university and in one of her classes. Hadija shared a photo of herself with classmates in the hall of Mbeya University. The photos we've shared are only a few of the many images they have been excited to pass along to Lucas, who they view as a brother, mentor, and advocate for their education. 

Mariselina, pictured with some of her new friends, is pursuing a degree in Law at Mwenge Catholic University. She was also thrilled to share photos from her time at university, as well as the following message which she asked us to share with you. This message (edited slightly) emphasizes her excitement and her gratitude to donors who made this opportunity possible for her. 

"Hello. My name is Mariselina. I'm studying Bachelor of Arts for Law in Mwenge Catholic University. I appreciate the life of this university and Kilimanjaro at large. My special thanks to our donners for their support from the first step up to now.  Big up to them.  May the Lord have mercy upon them. I am doing well with my courses.  The lectures are good and the environment is conducive for all learners. I am  enjoying so much with my life since I arrived here. I got a lot of friends paying much attention to me like Vanesa from Arusha, Selina from Iringa, Janet from Tanga and Aisha from Dar es Salaam. We share different ideas when studying. Special thanks once again to our donors."

As we enter the holiday season, the Girls Ed team wishes to extend our deepest gratitude for all that you do to ensure that these young women are supported. Whether you spread the word or make a donation, you do make a difference. 

In the new year, we look forward to sharing more updates and stories from these and other university students about their academic experiences and aspirations! 

Happy Holidays, 

The Girls Ed Team

Dear Girls Ed Supporters, 

This Spring, with your support, Girls Ed funded the field study (internships) of students attending the Nyamidaho Vocation Education and Training Authority (VETA). Among the cohort of those completing their internships were Melania and Flora. They are each pursuing a certificate in design sewing and clothing technology. 

Melania and Flora had the opportunity to be placed together at Sunflag, a textile and clothing company based in Arusha, Tanzania. While working for Sunflag, they learned from professionals in the factory about the machines, the process of turning cotton into thread, the thread dying process, how to weave textiles, and how to design and create clothing, such as shirts, skirts, dresses, suits, and more.

In this video, Melania films as Flora gives a tour of the factory and explains (in Swahili) about the machines and the process of making threads and textiles. (See additional photos of Melania and Flora in the factory.)

On a recent trip home to Kigoma, Melania and Flora visited our in country Project Manager, Lucas at the Project Wezesha office. He conducted interviews with them so they could share firsthand about their time in Arusha. In this video, Lucas greets donors and introduces Melania and Flora. 

Flora - Future Fashion Designer

In this video, Lucas interviews Flora in Swahili about her recent field experience for her certificate in tailoring, which she is pursuing at the Nyamidaho VETA center (Vocational Education and Training Authority). In this video, Flora explains that she completed her field experience in Arusha. She refined her tailoring skills, learning how to make shirts, dresses, and suits from Kanga and Kitenge materials. She extends tremendous gratitude and blessings to everyone who has supported her so she could have this opportunity. She also says how happy she was to have the chance to see Arusha; to know a larger city. Finally, Lucas invites her to stand up and show off the lovely dress that she made while in Arusha. I want one!! 

Flora, once a very shy young woman has really come out of her shell. To see her speak so openly and with such confidence about this experience is such a testament to the value of investing in and believing in young women. Without the opportunities of study camp, secondary school, and now this vocational training experience, Flora might still be a reserved young woman, remaining in others' shadows, letting others speak for her, and walking the path chosen by someone else. Not anymore!

Melania - Future Design Entrepreneur

In this video (Part 1 of 2), Melania says that she has learned how to make many, many types of clothing during her internship with Sunflag in Arusha. She also learned how to process raw cotton into thread and then how to make clothing from the materials. Lucas asks her about the process of making a shirt, as she is wearing one that she made in this video. Lucas commented on how impresesed he was by the technical language they were using for the explanation. 

Melania's enthusiasm about her work and what she's learned is evident in the interview, even if you don't understand Swahili. Her smile and confidence shine through. She expresses gratitude to donors who helped make this field experience possible. She sends blessings and shares how happy she feels about the opportunity to  have lived and studied in Arusha, to learn from professionals, and to continue her studies with these newfound skills. Prior to her field experience, her instructors noted that she has what it takes to be an instructor herself. We, too, can see her in that role in the future.

In this video (Part 2 of 2), Melania describes the process of making Maasai Shuka, the traditional clothing of the Maasai people of East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania). In great detail, she outlines the process of creating thread, dying it in red and blue, weaving the threads into the traditional checked pattern, and finishing the textile for use in sewing. She describes the large number of products that can then be made from the materials. She knows that the Maasai pattern materials are in demand and therefore, knowing how to create them is lucrative for an entrepreneur selling such textiles in larger markets. You can learn more about the Maasai Shuka and see some of the incredible fashions here.  

We're excited for Flora and Melania and look forward to celebrating their completion of these certificates. Once they return home, purchase the machines needed, and rent a space to start their businesses, the sky is the limit for them. The income they'll generate will leverage them and their families. Knowing that others believe in them and invested in their potential means the world to them. Who knows -- maybe one day they'll be marketing their beautiful clothes around the world. I know I'll be ordering a dress from Flora very soon! 

Please share this update and celebrate their success with us. Click 'Give Now' and contribute today so we can Multiply the Mission and support more young women seeking to become professionals in their communities.

Thank you for your part in making these dreams come true. 

Asante sana, 

Rai Farrelly
Tanzania Project Manager
Girls Education International

Links:

• Flora gives a factory tour
• Interview with Melania (Part 2 of 2)
• Interview with Melania (Part 1 of 2)