Transforming under performing schools is neither fast nor straight forward, but it is possible.
We have been quietly doing this with communities in and around Babati Town, in the Manyara Region of northern Tanzania since 2007.
Why is education so important?
Those who get an education have more opportunities in life and are likely to earn more money, and enjoy a better lifestyle, they create employment opportunities for others and boost the economy.
Their lives and the lives of the families will be healthier.
They will be empowered to bring about change on their terms and create a fairer more equal society.
Education is one of the greatest gifts a person can be offered.
But when there are barriers, beyond control of an individual, that prevents young people getting that education, it denies them their future, it holds back their potential and constraints progress at every level.
Working hand in hand with the community, we identify and tackle those barriers to achieve a vision we share with the community, where every young person get access to a quality education.
We work in partnership with the community to:
improve the schools water security so no child has to leave class and walk to the nearest water source and bring back water
renovate ad build more classrooms and teachers offices to ensure safety, reduce overcrowding and all teachers access to a sensible number of students
provide desks, books and other teaching and learning aids that enable the process of teaching and learning to happen
ensure that students are provided with a lunchtime meal cooked in a fuel efficient manner
improve the toilets and hand washing facilities so that no child fears going to the toilet and is able to and knows when and how to wash their hands.
improve the communities knowledge of puberty and menstruation and we work together to tackle the taboo and misinformation that often surrounds this topic, and to ensure that young girls are supported not shamed.
support households improve their household income and income security through farming and business training and mentoring. We know that as the household wealth increases so does their investment in the education of their children.