Post-Secondary Education for Students in Tanzania

Dear Project Wezesha Supporters, 

We're delighted to share some updates from the field. 

Graduates to Celebrate

First, we're excited about how many students supported through our parternship with Girls Education International have graduated from university and diploma programs. We've witnessed the growth of these young women over many years, from the time they entered secondary school through the culmination of their degree programs. Graduation ceremonies take place in the fall, and we look forward to sharing photos, aspirations, and career launches for these students.

Among our cohort of Project Wezesha students, Mery graduated this year with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences, which is one of the more lucrative paths for a sustainable career in Kigoma. When I met with Mery in December 2023, she shared some of what she was learning, and was able to field questions from local friends we were having lunch with - adeptly dispelling misinformation about the causes and treatments for certain common illnesses. (See her graduation photo and a photo from our visit in Mgaraganza in December.) We look forward to sharing updates on Mery as she transitions from her life as a student into a career in pharmaceuticals.

Study Camp Continues to Change Lives

In June, we ran another study camp. This year, we shifted our students to the Lake Tanganyika Education Center (LTEC), where students were able to board on site in brand new dorm facilities. We were thrilled to have the continued participation of some of our longtime teachers, who give weeks of their holidays each year to support Form 3 and Form 4 learners. Bablish returned as our exceptional Physics teacher, cultivating a love of science and helping young women find their place in STEM. At the LTEC, students get hands on practice in the labs so they can see experiments in action. This is how future medical professionals and scientists are born! (See photo of students learning from Bablish in the lab.)

An Ongoing Need for Support

Elias, a young man supported by Project Wezesha, shared a reflection on his studies. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication at St. Augustine University of Tanzania, located in the Mwanza region. He is now in his second year of the program and has developed a passion for communication and media. 

In his own words:

"One of the most impactful experiences during my studies is being taught by Dr. Camilius Nikata, a professor I greatly admire. Dr. Nikata’s classes have provided me with valuable insights into the world of mass communication, helping me understand the power and influence of media in shaping society. Learning from him has not only expanded my knowledge but has also inspired me to delve deeper into the field.

Upon graduation, my goal is to pursue a career in journalism or broadcasting, where I can utilize my skills in mass communication to inform, educate, and inspire others. I aspire to become a voice for the voiceless, shedding light on important issues and contributing positively to society through responsible and ethical journalism."

Elias is one of the many students Project Wezesha is able to continue supporting, but only with your help. If you would like to directly sponsor Elias, or any other student - please let us know!

Again, in Elias's own words: "Sponsoring my education would be an investment in the future of media and communication. By supporting me, donors would be contributing to the development of a passionate individual who aims to make a difference through responsible journalism. As a future media professional, I strive to uphold ethical standards, promote transparency, and advocate for social justice through my work. Sponsoring me would not only benefit my academic journey but also enable me to make a meaningful impact on my community and society at large.

Education holds immense value in my life as it provides me with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue my dreams and create positive change in the world. My family has always been supportive of my academic endeavors, instilling in me the importance of continuous learning and personal growth."

 We are so proud of Elias. He has clearly developed strong communication skills and is driven by a desire to be an agent of positive change in his society and the world at large. (See photos of Elias in the studio and with his Communication and Media classmates.)

Thank you all for your continued support and investment in the success of these young Tanzanians! Please continue to share with others about the work we do and how you are involved. We have several young men in need of direct sponsors and we'd love to make that happen now for the 2024-2025 academic year! 

With gratitude, 

The Project Wezesha Team
Rai Farrelly, Lucas Lameck, and Madaga Fadhili 

Dear Project Wezesha Supporters,

We find ourselves very reflective in 2024. We have so many reasons to celebrate, and we look forward to sharing some of the stories with you below.

Farewell Baba Sofia

First, however, we want to share the news that we lost an important patriarch. Lucas' father, Baba Sofia passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the end of March. It's a true blessing that we could all be together to celebrate Christmas with him in December. Baba Sofia was a kind, funny, caring man who loved his family and the simple pleasures in life. On any day, you could find him enjoying a lake breeze under the gazebo at his house, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed elaborate greetings, storytelling, dancing, and farming. He was so proud of Lucas and loved visits from Project Wezesha volunteers, supporters, and friends.

Lucas and his family had a beautiful celebration of his life with friends and family from all over the country. He can rest in peace knowing his family is healthy and will live life guided by his kind spirit and joy for life. Project Wezesha students shared many loving messages for this man who they considered a grandfather. Our student Hamisi wrote,

"Amidst such loss, let us remember how fragile life is and how crucial it is to value our loved ones. Let us prioritize our relationships, expressing love and gratitude while we still can."

Such wise words! 

Celebrating Student Successes

We are proud that Project Wezesha is a source of vitality in Tanzania. Through our support of students pursuing education across a range of sectors, we are contributing to a professional pipeline that will not only impact the lives of students and their families, but those who they will reach in the future as doctors, teachers, pharmacists, and entrepreneurs. 

STEM Education Fuels Careers in Pharmacy 

Project Wezesha student Vailethi is pursuing a career as a pharmaceutical technician. She started one of her field rotations in March at Muungano Health Center in the Simiyu Region. She has the chance to apply learning from her coursework with actual clients. These supervised hands-on experiences always get the students excited because they see what it means to work as a professional in their chosen fields. We’re excited for Vailethi to have this experience and build confidence for her career after graduation!

Salome is also pursuing a diploma in pharmaceutical studies. Right now she is completing her practical field experience in the pharmacy at Maweni Hospital in Kigoma. She has been working closely with patients in the HIV/AIDS ward, administering ARV drugs and providing necessary education to HIV positive patients so they can live long lives.

Applying Critical Thinking for Community Engagement

Maimuna is a graduate from Amahoro Secondary School in Mgaraganza Village. She is now pursuing a diploma in a 3-year program at the Institute of Rural Development and Planning in Dodoma.

As part of her field placement this term, she has to work with community members to identify local challenges and brainstorm solutions. In a group project for one course, they have to write a problem statement, outline project aims and beneficiaries, create a budget and plan for implementation, and thoroughly describe a process for monitoring and evaluating the project over time. The skills she’ll develop through these opportunities include creative and critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, time management, financial planning and more! 

These higher order skills are often overlooked in primary and secondary education where so much emphasis is placed on performance on national exams. Post-secondary education takes human development to the next level - leveraging how these young people will impact their communities through out-of-the box thinking!

Note from a Future Surgeon

Project Wezesha student Hamisi sent us a message about a surgery he assisted in. It’s exciting to get these updates from Project Wezesha's soon-to-be first surgeon!!
—
“Hello, family. I hope the message finds you well. I wanted to share an update on my experiences this week in the orthopedic department. Today was an eventful day as I participated in a surgery in the theater. We had a patient who had suffered fractures in his limb, and our goal was to fix them through a procedure known as open reduction internal fixation using a plate and screw.

The surgery involved carefully aligning the broken bones and securing them in place with a metal plate. By doing so we aimed to provide stability and promote proper healing. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience to be part of the surgical team assisting the orthopedic surgeon throughout the procedure.

Witnessing the expertise and dedication of the medical professionals in the orthopedic department has been truly inspiring. I continue to learn and grow through these opportunities, and I’m grateful for the chance to contribute to the well-being of patients.

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I will share more updates.”

Reunited After 5 Years

Of course, a highlight of 2023 was the reunion of Lucas, Madaga, and Rai for the first time since before the pandemic. We spent so many hours chatting, planning, and visiting students, teachers, and educational sites. We also took a new cohort of 22 students from the December academic study camp to Gombe National Park. They had the amazing opportunity to observe the elder chimp, Gremlin (54 years old!) and her son, Gabo in their natural habitat. We’re already making plans for the summer camp in June.

Grateful to You

Thank you to all Project Wezesha supporters! We wouldn’t be able to have the impact we do on the communities in the Kigoma Region without your contributions. Our greatest need at this time is direct support for our university students. In particular, if anyone would like to be a sponsor for a student, we’d love to arrange that. University costs per student range from $1400-1800 per year, which can be paid in monthly installments. Please let us know if you’d like to sponsor a future doctor, teacher, or pharmacist!

Be sure to share our stories and follow our social media channels.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectwezesha/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectWezesha

Give Now! Any amount is great appreciated and goes directly to our scholarship program.

Thank you so much!
Asante sana!

The Project Wezesha Team
Rai, Lucas, and Madaga