Houston Scholarship Fund 2025*

Rehema, 16 Years Old
‘’A Future In Sight’’

Meet Rehema, born in Arusha, in the northern part of Tanzania. She is the eldest of four children. Rehema lives with her aunt and grandmother, who is elderly and disabled. They rely on their small piece of land, cultivating mixed crops for survival.

Rehema began primary school in 2014 while living in Dar es Salaam with her parents. She remained there until Grade 5, and then moved to Arusha town with her mother and siblings due to ongoing conflicts between her parents. Upon joining a new school in Arusha, she had to repeat Grade 4. Life was difficult, as her mother struggled with long-term unemployment.

One day, overwhelmed by hardship, her mother decided to travel to Tanga Region, promising to return soon. However, she never came back for her children. Rehema, left alone in their rented house, had to take care of her three siblings until her aunt learned of their mother's disappearance. The aunt then took them to their grandmother's house in Ngongongare village.

Once again, Rehema had to repeat the same grade in order to enroll at Ngongongare Primary School. There, her teachers supported her by providing essential school supplies, including a uniform and exercise books. She studied there until she completed Grade 7 in 2024, earning good results—she achieved a Grade B on her national exams.

As part of our work, we visited Ngongongare Primary School, searching for girls from marginalized families at risk of losing their educational opportunities. Her teachers recommended Rehema for a scholarship, and Jifundishe is now providing a full support for Rehema throughout her four years of secondary education at Ngongongare Secondary School.