By Novatus Marandu | Executive Director
Hello from Toa Nafasi!
I hope this report finds you well. It’s always an absolute honor to write to you and keep you on the loop on the important work you’re a part of that we’re doing in schools and communities in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Here is a snapshot of the 2023 cohort successes and our work with the 2024 cohort.
Our Achievements with the 2023 cohort
In 2023, we assessed over 1000 grade 1 students and 422 students with learning difficulties matriculated into the Toa Nafasi’s pull out program. Our tutors worked for months starting April to provide the students needed support and tests. The results of test 3 that were out this March show impressive changes in the academic performance of the students. Out of 336 students that attempted the last Test, 320 entered Tier 1 scoring above 80 percent. These were students that were in tier 2 and three and had a myriad of psychological, medical and academic challenges.
The impact we have had on these students will have significant lasting effects as they advance in upper grades and later in life. We are immensely grateful for being part of the learning and life journey of these students and Toa Nafasi.
A New Dawn in 2024
The graduation of one cohort marks a begging of a new journey with another cohort of students. As usual, this year started with Observation of 1150 students enrolled in grade one in all the 11 schools we have placed tutors. This exercise will be followed by Test 1 for the observed students as well as one on one meetings with their parents/guardians. We are excited to meet the 2024 cohort, to sit and chat with their families and start a new journey of learning and friendship.
Implementers’ Dialogues
In March this year, Toa Nafasi joined over 20 civil societies working in the education sector for a day meeting to share and discuss our work in realizing the education quality education outcomes for all children. We learned the benefits of using sports to deliver important messages, the work of Faith Community Development Initiative in education, and we adopted KIWIZ, a free educational material that promotes digital literacy. Our goal is to continue to learn from peers, gain important resources for our work and students, share our work and scan potential partners to scale our work.
Challenges
The 2023 cohort was not free from challenges. Despite of having a few number of students with learning difficulties in Tier 2 (7 students) and Tier 3 (9 students), we had a high number of truancy. Out of the 422 students that were enrolled earlier in the year, 86 students were absent from the program and in school due to multiple reasons. We are working with the school administration and parents/guardians and implement measures to lower the truancy levels this year.
Thank you for continuing to support Toa Nafasi. You can donate now. When you donate, you are helping us making schools and our communities safe and inclusive for all children. Once again, thank you.
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