Post-Secondary Education for Students in Tanzania

Dear Friends of Project Wezesha,

We've just wrapped up a holy month with people celebrating Ramadan, Passover, Easter and Nowruz around the world. We hope that you and your loved ones have been able to enjoy the comfort of one another, peace between moments of hustle, and lots of joy!

We are also celebrating the birthday (Apr. 21) of our co-founder, Lucas! Lucas has dedicated the last 14 years of his life to ensuring that many young people in the Kigoma region have the opportunity to excel in school. Thanks to Lucas and our Education Director, Madaga, we are able to celebrate the academic achievements of scores of young people, including successful secondary, high, and vocational school completions, diploma and certifcate awards, and college and university graduates! Now we see many of these young people proudly supporting their families through jobs they could only get with their educations. 

At this moment, we are still seeking funding to support the young men who continue their university studies around the country. Those of us in the U.S. know that university tuition in the States is through the roof. At my university alone, the average cost of one year of university studies is $34k before financial aid, and $24k after financial aid.

In Tanzania, a year of university costs between $1400 - $2500 USD, depending on the university, the program of study, and whether the student qualifies for government support. In camparison, then, we can definitely say that a little goes a long way. But, for our friends and families in Tanzania, $1400-2500 is not little. The students we support come from families who make a living through subsistence farming, fishing, and running small businesses. So, we really need your help.

Will you consider making a contribution today to support these students?

• Yohana, 1^st year > $1458
• Lameck, 1^st year > $1458
• Elias, 1^st year > $2400
• Mayani, 2^nd year > $1430
• Hamisi, 2^nd year > $1757
• Simoni, 3^rd year > $1593

Here's how far your donation can go.

One of our students, Hamisi, is studying to become a surgeon. He's on a path to save many lives with his education. He'll do so not only in the operating room, but by sharing the knowledge and experience he's gained in medical school. In the photo with this report, Hamisi stands in his white coat, speaking to an assembly of girls at a local school. He was informing them about cervical cancer - about the causes, the preventative screenings, and the treatment.

Education about women's health is particularly important in rural areas where there can still be a lack of awareness about illnesses that affect women's reproductive health, as well as resistance to the exams that detect such illnesses due to the sensitive, private nature of them. I recall a story of a doctor trying to help pregnant women in a village by offering exams throughout their pregnancy. Some men of the village ran the doctor off when they learned how the exams were conducted. The doctor was dismayed by the lack of education among the villagers about women's health; he was overwhelmed by the hostility; and, he refused to return.

This is why education matters - Knowlege is power, Knowledge is freedom, Knowledge is health. As more of the youth in these villages access higher education, that knowledge reaches the next generation. The very young begin to look up to their siblings and cousins who were able to travel to larger towns and cities to attend high school and university. They hear about life beyond the villages and learn what is possible in the world when education is applied to promote change for good! 

So, a little (one villager with a university education) goes a long way (the ripple effect of influence and inspiration). 

Please donate today and let's see how far a little really can go!
(Make it a birthday gift for Lucas!)

Asante sana - Thank you very much.

With gratitude, 
Rai, Lucas, and Madaga