Keeping Children in Families through Education

We want to share the story of one of our kids! Amy (name changed for child protection) is a lively and humorous 13-year-old girl from the Monduli district, Arusha. Her vibrant personality and cheerful demeanor make her a favorite among her friends. Whenever they feel bored, they seek her company to uplift their spirits. After being abandoned by her parents, Amy grew up with her grandparents, who became too disabled to care for her. A ward of the state, she joined Amani in the middle of primary school.

Currently studying in fifth grade at Oola Academy School in Mto wa Mbu, Amy's academic journey has been challenging. She initially attended a Swahili-speaking school before transitioning to an English-speaking school. Adapting to the new learning environment and language was a significant hurdle, but she has been making progress and now holds satisfactory positions in her class. Amy's favorite subject is History, as it helps her understand the origin of humanity. Her dream is to become a teacher one day and pass on her knowledge to the next generation.

Amy aspires to become a teacher, fueled by her strong motivation to educate the future generation. The 2019 parliamentary report highlighted a critical shortage of 80,000 teachers in our schools. Supporting Amy's educational journey could play a vital role in minimizing, if not eradicating, this shortage that our country is currently facing. We're so proud of the accomplishments of students like Amy, and thrilled to cheer her along in her journey!

We all can think back to the triumphs and challenges of high school, and know from our own experience how important this period is in overall success. In Tanzania, education is compulsory from ages 7-13, and referred to as primary level. Beyond primary education, secondary level includes ages 14-19, and tertiary includes ages 20-24. The exams at the end of high school determine your path into higher education and your adult career trajectory. According to UNICEF (2023) 2.3 million (57%) of secondary school-age children (14—17 years) are out of school. Furthermore, only 58% of the country's students finish primary school, and only 34% graduate from secondary school (Tanzania Education Corp, 2023)

But at Amani, we're thrilled to announce a 100% graduation rate for all of our high school sessions. And not only that but many were among the top of their class, with impressive exam results that stand as a testament to their years of hard work. All of Amani's first class of graduating seniors tested into continuing education programs, either for advanced secondary school or college programs. We're so proud that our oldest teens have successfully earned their Form 4 diplomas and will continue their educational journeys! Thank you for seeing through this stage of their journeys, and we're excited to follow their next steps!