Help a Tanzanian Orphan Complete Primary School

The story of Amina’s mother, Dativa, is a study in poverty and desperation. While her situation is not unusual for Tanzanian “peasants” (the official government term for basically unemployed citizens who scratch out a living however they can), it is moving and concerning.

Dativa was married very young to a man who had some assets. She had two children by the time she was 22. At that time, she was forced to leave her husband because of domestic violence and abuse. Her parents failed to assist her and she ended up in other areas of the country where she worked in a fish factory and eventually met her second husband. The couple had two children, the youngest of whom is Amina. When Amina was two years old, her father was badly beaten and died after refusing to pay a bribe to Natural Resource Officers.

The following years were complicated and devastating for Dativa as she juggled trying to care for her children and being disappointed by all of those who were related to her and to her children. As of early 2024, Amina seemed to be in the most desperate situation of all four children. The reasons are too complicated to relate here, but all relatives or persons connected to Dativa refused to allow Amina to live in any shelter they have access to.

Through church contacts, GLK Scholarship Fund Trustee Judith was informed of Amina’s precarious position.   Following interviews with Amina, it was determined that she was bright, expressive, and charming – a good candidate for a GLK scholarship. Her need for a protected situation was also clearly evident.

In February of this year, the GLK scholarship fund paid for Amina to prepare for and join St. Kizito’s Primary School as a boarding student. We have had good experiences with this school and are happy that Amina will have access to a good education and care in a stable environment.

Links:

• GLK Scholarship Fund website