Words from Tanzania

In Tanzania, primary school (our equiv of grade school) is compulsory and free, but only around 30-40% of those who finish primary school get a chance to move on to secondary school. The main factor- money. Although the government has made strong moves to lower the costs (around $140 per year) of a secondary school tuition at their schools, the private ones are maintaining a $400- $500 per year tuition (full boarding) fee. And, the private schools are having a tough time right now as they are losing their teachers to the increasing number of government secondary schools where the teachers’ salaries have been raised.

This beautiful day in January, we had the pleasure of transporting two wonderful young women to secondary school accompanied by their mothers. Agape Mmwiri (14) is the daughter of our good friends and neighbors, Assistant Bishop Rev. Eliraha Mmwiri and his wife Esther-Salome, along with their other children, one of whom is the adorable Heavenlightness (9) shown above with her big sister Agape. Mary Juma (16) is the daughter of Paulina Mndeme, a widowed diocese worker and good friend (see Mary in her beautiful green gown). Mruma Secondary School is one of 5 ELCT Pare Diocese secondary schools, located in the North Pare Mountains, just 14 kilometers from the urban town of Mwanga. The parents of Agape and Mary chose this ELCT private school because they know it is good, safe, and will provide a quality education, and they are willing to sacrifice and spend the money for those things.

Many preparations occurred before this day of course. The girls took many final examinations in primary school, and the results were reviewed by the government. Letters were written to the Mruma Secondary School, a church sponsorship was obtained, and then the long list of items was gathered for their daily school and personal needs. Here’s a short list of items we transported for each girl—a mattress, sheets, blanket, pillow, pillow cases, lockbox & lock, pens, exercise books, a ream of copy paper, blouses, black shoes, sweater, skirts, a bucket, a broom, a weed & grass slashing/cutting tool, a farm hoe and other personal items. So, in addition to the $450 tuition fee, each student must come up with many other requirements adding to about $100.

We are proud of these two young women and will continue to walk with and love their families as our own. Both are the first child in their families to attend secondary school, so some pressure might be on them to lead the way for their siblings. For now, we feel we’ve done our part as friends to support them in this big step.