Give 420 Girls in Tanzania Their Own School

The Milembe Dormitory is a huge success! It is now filled to capacity, and the school needs a second dorm to accommodate the long list of girls eager to live on campus. 

The dormitory compound, which includes a dorm for 50 girls, hygiene building with composting latrines and showers using rainwater, dining hall and kitchen, house for the dorm mother, gate house, playing fields, and safety wall, all made from locally sourced materials, was built to accommodate a full campus of 100 girls— all that is needed is to add the second dorm!  

All girls deserve an education! In Tanzania girls face many obstacles to completing school, from walking long and often unsafe distances in rural areas, to parents prioritizing boys' education. One student, Mariam, said: “Living on campus has changed our lives. We are now getting the highest grades on our exams, because we can focus on our studies.” This is a big change for the girls, who say they did not have time to study at home, where, culturally, girls are expected to do all the household work, including the cooking, cleaning, and caring for younger siblings.

The Milembe School Dormitory compound provides life changing, safe and sustainable housing where girls can focus on studies, complete their education, and thrive. Thank you for your support helping to empower girls through education! Girls have the power to change the world!

Links:

• Visit our website for more information

With your support, Africa Schoolhouse purchased sewing machines for Milembe, Mwaniko, and Sumwa Secondary Schools and organized workshops for girls to learn to sew their own sanitary pads. 

Girls in rural Tanzania miss an average of 20% of school each year, because they lack the sanitary supplies to attend when they are menstruating. During the workshop, Mwl. Oliver, a head teacher in Mwanza, taught the girls basic skills to sew washable and reusable fabric pads and liners. Access to these sanitary pads provides a sustainable and empowering solution to combat this unnecessary barrier to education.

The teachers have continued the programming, supporting the girls as they teach peers how to sew their own reusable pads and liners. Elizabeth, a teacher at Mwaniko School, said how much the pads have helped the girls—making it possible for them to attend school during their periods. She also highlighted that learning to sew teaches the girls self-sufficiency.   

Most importantly, this program is empowering girls by teaching new skills, allowing for precious uninterrupted learning, and perhaps most importantly, helping instill confidence and body positivity for all participants. Thank you for your help with this life changing programming! 

Links:

• Visit our website for more information.