Send 35 Girls in Tanzania to Secondary School

Greetings Girls Education International Supporters,

Girls Ed is happy to share some updates from our Tanzania scholarship program. Thanks to your support, we were able to create the new Tanzania program, building on our existing support of students in Pakistan and Liberia.

Our students in Tanzania attend a few different secondary schools in Kagongo and Mgaraganza villages, as well as villages deeper into the region toward Kasulu. The girls in the program are doing their best to attend classes regularly and study hard so they can excel from year to year. (*I've written this before, but believe me - as soon as the camera snaps (see picture) - they all burst into laughter. The 'photo smile' is very cultural - clearly embraced by Americans as my cheesy grin confirms.)

Throughout the year, our students receive additional support after school so they can work with teachers to really dig deep into the subjects that present them with the most challenges academically. We added this support to our original programming because we discovered in discussions with the girls that they were struggling for various reasons - large class sizes, lack of textbooks, and at times - ineffective teaching practices. During these after school tutoring sessions, they get to work in smaller groups and receive more focused instruction to help them understand the core concepts and prepare for exams. We also purchased textbooks for the girls to study from at home - covering various subjects: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English, and Math.

Lucas met with the students and encouraged them to study hard and continue to pursue their dreams. They are all well aware that this work is difficult and it requires that they dedicate themselves as much as they can to their studies. We know that success rates will vary, but we also believe that every student deserves an opportunity. We simply hope that those who made the program do their very best with the resources available to them.

Lucas also met with our students’ parents in the spring. They all expressed their joy at the support they are receiving from Project Wezesha and Girls Education International. They are happy that the program is moving forward and some even said that the opportunity is a ‘savior’ for their children and their families.

Lucas encouraged the parents to make sure their children get out the door on time to make their first classes. (You know how hard it can be to get teens out of bed! In Tanzania they're up with the roosters, but getting the sandals to the sand for the walk to school can be a challenge!) He also urged them to carve some time in the day after school for the students to study. Lucas encourages the parents by reminding them that without education, the community will not have doctors, nurses, pilots, and engineers. Lucas is always good for a motivational speech!

Thank you for your continued support! Our next trip update will follow my visit over winter break when I hope to identify teachers who will partake in a co-teaching endeavor with invited teachers from the US who will hopefully join us there in Summer 2016!

Asante Sana!

With Gratitude,

Raichle Farrelly &
The Girls Ed Team