Hello, all our friends,
My October/November 2024 trip was filled again with wonderful celebrations, this time for the opening of 2 new teacher residence buildings completed in the last year, at Tidivi Primary School and Kilimamoja Primary School, and a very special event at Simba Milima Primary School;
Simba Milima Primary School - its first graduation
Since 2017 when construction began on this school, most buildings are completed. Classrooms are filled with students at all levels; Standard 1 to Standard 7. So after 7 years, 28 children have graduated at a special ceremony officiated by the Guest of Honour - the District Executive Director, Mr Juma Hokororo.
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| presenting diplomas to the graduates |
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| 9 top students, including one who achieved A in all subjects. |
This is such a special school now. The Tanzanian government recognized its significance despite its remote rural location by providing it with the gift of life - WATER! It drilled a borehole.
This has resulted in wonderful changes to school life.
Teachers are planting gardens to grow their own vegetables. And they/ve seized the opportunity for a creative enterprise; growing trees in pots from seeds. When they are about 1 - 2 feet tall, they are selling them to businesses such as new resorts for landscaping purposes.
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| new water storage tank |
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| teachers' vegetable garden |
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| growing trees to sell |
The last teacher residence building to house 2 teacher families is under construction.
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| Alan helping build roof trusses |
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| new 2-family teacher residences |
Another interesting development is occurring. Some of the farmland surrounding the school is subdivided by the owners allowing others to build houses near the school. A village may eventually evolve around the school as it has become a desirable location.
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| a small shop built next to the school. |
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| a new farm built next to the school |
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| a new house under construction near the school |
The school's development is nearing completion, with only a Toilet building and perhaps a sports field remaining.
The school's teachers and students wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to the principal sponsor Mr Chris Ronneseth of Safari Partners Inc in Vancouver for his generosity and vision in supporting this successful school development.
Kilimamoja Primary School - new teacher residences
Teacher residences #5 and #6 are now complete, and the families have moved in.
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| ribbon cutting at new residence |
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| ribbon cutting |
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| head teacher Lawei Panga and family |
Tidivi Primary School - new teacher residences
Tidivi Primary School also officially opened Teacher Residence #5 and #6 this year. The new 2-family Teacher Residence building design at both Tidivi and Kilimamoja Primary Schools is our best design to date. It has three bedrooms compared to our previous two-bedroom design. Its great for a growing family and gives more privacy to the kids in their teen years. And in the meantime, a spare bedroom can be used to temporarily accommodate single teachers.
The teachers are extremely please to be living in a "modern" clean and healthy environment. The kitchen is equipped with a countertop 2-burner propane gas stove and a sink, but their most life-changing feature is the shower and toilet rooms. All running water is fed from the tower-mounted 2000 litre SIM tanks adjacent each residence.
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| being greeted by students |
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| I'm in the middle there somewhere |
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| audience of villagers |
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| Teacher Neema Mlaki |
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| dancing with head teacher Mchomvu Augustino on our way to the head table |
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| 2 new teacher residences |
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| certificate of appreciation from guest of honor District Education Officer Juma Ramadha |
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| teachers |
Tidivi is 90% developed now, with only a Kitchen/Dining Room ($39,500 CAD) and a Toilet building/Septic ($18,200 CAD) remaining. The regional water supply offices (KARUWASU) has indicated it will focus on supplying water (vis borehole) to this school in the near future. It has already begun surveys. Electricity power to the site remains a distant possibility, so the school will continue to rely on solar panels.
The school's teachers and students continue to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, RMC Class of '70 alumni, for their generosity and commitment to education. The vibrant learning environment of this school is evident in high morale and exceptional academic achievements.
Our Progress To Date. In 14 years we've come a long way with the progress at each of our 8 schools. Two are completed. At the remaining 6 schools, the majority of buildings, most importantly the classroom buildings, are complete and operating well. We need funding for the outstanding support buildings at those schools.
Our short term goal is to complete these 6 schools before we take on new schools. Other villages have approached us to start much-needed primary schools in their area where walking distances to existing schools are too long and even dangerous for the young kids.
Our heartfelt thanks to all the generous donors who have supported us over the past 14 years. The Tanzanian children feel blessed to be in a standard of public school that is considerably higher than the government-built ones with their lesser construction quality and the absence of Teacher Residences. And their better academic performance is proving it.
How To Donate
Visit PrimarySchoolsforAfrica.com and click on the "Donate" button, or send a cheque made out to:
"PSFA Primary Schools For Africa Society", and mail to:
3301 Wordsworth Street, Victoria, BC, V8P4B9
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