By Lindsay Lynch | Development Operations Manager
In October, we honored Orkeeswa School's most recent class of graduates. It was an incredible day of celebration and joy. Our dedicated students and alumni are the reason Orkeeswa School has the impact that it does, and we are so proud of all of them. Hear from our graduates about how Orkeeswa School has prepared them for a future of success and community impact, and check out photos below!
"Orkeeswa School has impacted me in so many ways through a lot of activities going on around campus. The entrepreneurship course, for example, has been very helpful to me because I know now that I have skills to start my own business at any point in life. This is a useful skill to all students because wherever we will go, if things don't turn out as planned we have that skill to use as we figure things out."
"I feel so good to be part of the Orkeeswa family because of the opportunities we were given. Opportunities such as helping back in our community, participating in different sports, clubs and other acitivies."
"Being at Orkeeswa is a blessing and so many people wish they had the chance to be here and get this kind of education. To me, this community here is like my home. It has taught me a lot, including how to take advantage of new opportunities."
We had a very successful week in October of honoring our alumni, with 81 alumni in attendance. Orkeeswa hosts an annual alumni gathering focused on providing professional development workshops, support services, networking events, and direct impact opportunities. Orkeeswa alumni have a strong sense of purpose, academic achievement, leadership skills, and commitment to their community. Orkeeswa Incubator supports the ongoing impact of alumni through professional deelopment, higher education scholarships, and small grants and mentorship for entrepreneurs.This program fills a void of post-secondary support for many graduates, creating new pathways to apply their education for the benefit of the community. Hear from our alumni about how Orkeeswa has created new pathways to apply their educartin for the benefit of the community.
"This week means a lot to me but I have also learned a lot. The best lesson is that I hage a lot to offer back to my community and it was exciting to meet my fellow alumni who are in different universities, chat with them and shape eacho ther on how we can be the best solution to the challenges in our communities. During the promary school visits, a student at Orkeeswa Primary came to me and asked me what she can do to be where I am or achieve the things I have. This got me thinking that I am such a mirror in the community and a role modle to more than the people I think look up to me. Hence I need to be upright and inspire people everyday because you never knowwho is looking up to you."
"The alumni week has been such an interactive and productive week. when planning it, we did not imagine the scale of success to be this far. Tapping into our alumni network to motivate and inspire the students on campus by sharing their stories and experience has come with so much success. Some of our students now feel that they too, can be succesful. Unlocking the reality to our students on campus and the primary school students that we work with, helps me sleep with a smile at night."
We have been so moved by the support of our Orkeeswa community this year. Thanks to you, Orkeeswa School's 2021 End of Year Virtual Event was a success! We are so appreciative of our dedicated supporters like you. Thank you for helping us to make an impact on hundreds of students in rural Tanzania.
With 100 students now in need of Scholarhip support, our Gloval Giving Project for the Orkeeswa School Scholapship Program is more important than ever. The program provides critical funding as we ensure each student receives an affordable, high quality secondary school education. Thank you to those who are contributing to this fund, and please help spread the word to others who may be interested in joining our network of supporters.
Some of Orkeeswa's 2021 highlights:
-Achieved 100% pass rate for Orkeeswa School's 2021 For Six graduates, with 100% of graduates also qualifying for university education
-Orkeeswa students completed 29,160 hours of community service in the local community
-Recruiting 56 new Pre-Form One students, bringing Orkeeswa School's student body to 326
-Continued serving 8 primary school partner schools through our Outreach Program
-Supported 58 alumni with university scholarships
-Making our first two alumni grants for alumni-led projecrts and community based organizations
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