Increase Girls' Access to Education in Tanzania

We are delighted to share that seven Girls Education International (Girls Ed) students will graduate from university in 2024! These young women will graduate with Bachelor degrees in fields ranging from Sociology to Science Education. As these young women are getting ready to graduate, Girls Ed is preparing for our next cohort of students.

 In December 2023, Loni Riley, Girls Ed’s treasurer and Dr. Rai Farrelly, co-founder of Project Wezesha, visited Kigoma, Tanzania and interviewed the upcoming group of students on their educational aspirations.  Many of the young women are interested in pursuing careers in health care; they hope to become doctors, nurses, pediatricians, and gynecologists. Another group wants to become teachers and share their knowledge in subjects like Math, English, Geography, and Swahili. A third group intends to pursue a career in human rights by becoming lawyers so that they can advocate for women and children. 

Some of the girls will pursue vocational training, which is a transformative educational experience for many students. In case you missed it, here’s a story about Melania, a Girls Ed alumnus who completed her studies to become a tailor.

Melania has her own shop space which she rents in Mgaraganza market. She originally borrowed from a local microfinance lender to buy material (fabric, thread, needles, etc.) to launch her business, and now she’s able to pay that back and start making a profit. She has a steady stream of clients and is on her way to becoming economically independent! 

For more inspiring stories, follow Girls Ed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlsEd 

We’re proud of Melania’s achievement and look forward to seeing what the future holds for the next cohorts of young women!

Sincerely,

Kate Schelbe

P.S.  Want even more inspiration? Listen to our most recent podcast episode: How Girls Are Challenging Climate Change with Anna Hall from Girl Rising.  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ksNCsoqfal8sCUVGC39G3?si=b0DtsnwXTS6v8VBn6GzySw

Dear Girls Education International Supporter,

Hekima is from a small village in Western Tanzania known for having the sweetest pineapples in the region.  Her father is a pineapple farmer and takes great pride in his crops as well as his daughters.  He believes in the importance of educating girls, for which Hekima and her sister Zuwena are grateful. 

Upon passing her secondary school national exams in 2019, Hemika enrolled in high school where she studied history, geography, and English language.  At the time, Hekima stated her goal to be a teacher.  Fast forward to 2023, Hekima is now in university, studying education.  She is well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming a teacher.  

When you plant a seed in fertile soil, it will grow.  When you provide it with the nutrients it needs; it will thrive.  

Hemika and Zuwena’s foundation is rooted in a family that believes in the power of educating girls.  Since joining Girls Education International in 2014, Hemika has consistently received the nutrients she has needed to thrive.  Upon earning her degree, Hekima will plant more seeds of inspiration into fertile minds that are eager to learn and the growing season will continue. 

Thank you for your generous contributions to Girls Education International and for supporting students like Hekima.   

Warmly, 

Kate Schelbe, Executive Director