It is the end of the school year in Tanzania. The class 7 children have already written their final Government exams and now eagerly await exam results and a big day on November 27 ….. GRADUATION from primary school.
There is a lot at stake for these children and their families. If they don’t pass the exams, their education is over – they will not be able to advance to secondary school. This, of course, has a huge impact on the child’s future as well as that of the whole family and the community at large.
Educated children return to the community to help in any way they can. In the 6 years (four for 0 level and 2 for advanced level) they attend secondary school they return to the community to help however they can. They work in the garden – sewing seeds, harvesting fruit and vegetables, milking goats and cows, feeding chickens, gathering eggs. And, because they have English skills, they can help out as translators when guests and volunteers come to the community. For their volunteer efforts they receive fresh vegetables, eggs and sometimes meat to take home to their families, many who are food insecure.
The impact of the EFA bursary program is evident. Several of the Class 7 graduates have been able to receive financial support from EfA for the years since they entered preschool. Without this support it is probable that the boys would be herding cattle and the girls would be married with babies. A sincere THANK YOU to all the donors who share our vision that every child deserves a good education. Your generosity has made a difference in many lives!