Give 420 Girls in Tanzania Their Own School

Milembe Secondary School was severely damaged by a high wind and rainstorm that swept through the area on Friday, August 3. One of seven schools in Misungwi District that experienced devastating destruction, Milembe lost roofing on most of the classrooms and on two of the new laboratory buildings that Africa Schoolhouse built with your help. We are so sad to report this news! You have done so much to make this school possible! The buildings are now closed until repairs can be completed and there is a safe space for students to return to their studies. 

The local government immediately organized community meetings at the damaged sites to assess and discuss the needs to reopen the schools. Villagers stepped forward at Milembe School and donated 1 million Tanzanian shillings (approximately $450, an amount equaling the annual income for most local farmers). The community also asked Africa Schoolhouse for help with the repairs, which will cost approximately $15,000. 

The teachers and students are eager to return to school. Some are gathering outdoors for makeshift classes. Milembe Head Teacher Florencia said "We hope students can continue their studies soon!" Please stay tuned—we hope our next report will detail the storm repairs and we will be able to report that students have returned to the classrooms! 

Links:

• Visit the Africa Schoolhouse website

Thanks to your help, students have been studying in the new Milembe Secondary School science laboratory and classrooms for over a year. The teachers have already seen a difference in the students’ work with the new buildings. Mwita and Mwapwani, both teachers at Milembe Secondary School, talked about the changes they have witnessed in students’ work since the new laboratory and classrooms were built. Mwita suggested that: “Before the school had a laboratory, it was impossible for us to help the students fully prepare for their national exams, which include a practical section with experiments. Without the facilities we weren’t able to teach them how to do the biology, chemistry, or physics experiments they needed for the exams.” Mwapwani agreed: “We used to try to do the experiments in the classroom, but we didn’t have access to water or lab tables.” At the 2016 national exam, there was a practical physics experiment that required students to measure laboratory tables to complete the questions. All the students failed that section, because it wasn’t possible to measure with the uneven surfaces of the classroom desks. “We had such challenges! The students were not succeeding, because we didn’t have the facilities to fully prepare them. But now we have a lab with chemicals, propane burners, and running water, and the students are able to do experiments and succeed in their national exams.” Doing well on the national exams is necessary to continue to the next level in school and critical to completing secondary school. Mwapwani told the story of one student, Adama, who came close to failing her science exams the year before the lab was built, but when she was able to study in the lab, she passed with flying colors! The teachers expressed their deepest gratitude for your help with the new lab and classrooms. “We are so happy to have a laboratory with running water and propane for experiments. Our students now have a chance to improve their performance and succeed in their exams.” Thank you for all you have done to help make the Milembe Secondary School a possibility! With your help, students have better chances for success! You are helping us fulfill our goals to make sure all girls in Tanzania receive an education!

Links:

• Visit our website