Educate 20+ Vulnerable Children in Rural Tanzania

Today is a very special day - it is the opening of the second term at Ikirwa School. It is also special for another reason - thanks to this morning's recurrent donation, this project is now fully funded. Which means that 20 children returning from their mid-year break will be able to complete their first year at Ikirwa School.

In early June we had visited some of the families, who's children are now able to attend Ikirwa and recorded their stories. Often those stories begin with sorrow but end with a big dream. Like 7 year old Rehma, who lives with her grandmother, because her mother's new husband would not accept  a step-daughter. Rehma's biological father was an educated man, who wanted his daughter to go to school, before he passed away in an accident. Rehma's grandmother, Christina, did not let her son's dream die with him, and year after year asked Ikirwa to find her a sponsor. Asked why she was so persistent, this slight, understated woman replied "My father didn't let me go to school, he didn't think it was necessary for a girl to be educated. I will not let the same thing happen to Rema. She will grow up to be a pilot or a captain, or whatever else she decides to be."

On behalf of Rehma, Christina and 19 other families we would like to thank you for supporting the hopes and dreams of their children and bringing them one year closer to fulfilling them.

Ikirwa School Project team

It's rainy season in Midawe and the mornings are dark and cold. Rowdy rounds of football and tag on the lush grass during recess give way to in-door reading and board games. There are two weeks left before the end of the first semester and mid-year break. First year students have transformed from shy kids hiding behind their desks into confident, enthusiastic participants in the learning process. Watching this transformation is one of the most rewarding experiences one may have.

During my first trip to Tanzania in 2008 I had a chance to speak with young people about their hopes and dreams. Their responses were very pragmatic. Many told me that they want to become tour guides, safari drivers, shop keepers and accountants – occupations which at the time provided the highest income potential. There were no astronauts or future presidents in the group of 9 and 10yr olds. So when Gasper and myself set out to start Ikirwa School Project we set an ambitious goal - change the way our students see the world and their place in it. We want them to dream big, set ambitious goals and give them the tools to get there, because after all, a goal without a plan is just a wish.

Kelvin has been attending Ikirwa School since it opened in 2013. His father passed away when he was very young and since then he has been a man of the house. His scholarship was the first to be funded this year. For a child who had to grow up quickly, dreaming big does not come easy. Yet here he is, reaching for the sky. Kelvin has decided that he wants to become a pilot, and I can’t wait to speak with him about his plan to get there.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Maria Skuratovskaya on behalf of the board and staff of the Ikirwa School and Ikirwa School Project