Tanzania
The Need
CIA Data (2018) ranks Tanzania as 6th in the world for highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. Schoolgirls are at an increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS when forced to walk great distances to school or attend school in where society does not value them as equals to their male counterpart. Still, many girls desperately want an education so that they can create better lives for themselves and their families. After several years of visiting and working with women and girls in Tanzania through graduate work, one of our board members conducted research and found that a potential “solution” to barriers faced in accessing education could be construction of a private boarding school for girls. This way, barriers girls face (walking to school, harassment by male teachers and male students) could be prevented.
The Vision and Goal
We want to see hope, redemption, and transformation take place in this island district of Tanzania, located within Lake Victoria. The vision for Tumaini Jipya {New Hope} Secondary Girls’ School is that every pupil has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education, free of abuse and injustice, in a Christ honoring atmosphere that allows them to thrive. We long for these girls to know that they are deeply loved and were created by God for a purpose. Together with trusted partners and local community leaders, ROCK is committed to help open this girls’ school in an effort to shine the light of the gospel into their lives; ROCK is excited to be a channel for the funds that will bring this school to fruition.
Progress so far
Tumaini Jipya Secondary School for Girls is being built in a central location on Ukerewe Island, adjacent to several churches and a medical clinic. The school will begin with Form 1 students, which is similar to the freshman year of high school in the United States. Grades will be added in phases, up to Form 4, with approximately fifty girls selected each year. Girls will come from all parts of the district, from varying socioeconomic and religious backgrounds.
Praise God, the following have been completed so far:
- Dormitories
- Two classrooms
- Administration block
- Bathroom
- Kitchen/Dining Hall
- A well
- Electricity
Next steps
Two science labs will be built next, costing approximately $75,000 USD each. These are the last buildings needed before the school can open, but additional costs remain, such as hiring the headmistress and teachers, purchasing supplies, and building furniture (desks, beds, etc.). Not too long after opening, we will need to build more classrooms, dorms, and two more science labs.
Local young women walking away after attending a hygiene workshop at the school. The buildings are used for short summer ministry opportunities until the school can be completely finished and open.
Center: Two joined classrooms; Right: Administration building.
Under Construction
Our first 2 classrooms!!
Local committee gathers to praise the Lord for His provision and to discuss next steps
Local committee receives the keys to the classroom!
Local committee receives the keys to the classroom!
The unveiling of the inside of the new classrooms
How Can You Help?
- Please PRAY for the future of the school; in particular, for the volunteer committee and community leaders, for the planning, construction, and staffing of administration and teachers, and for the local girls that will attend!
- Financial support is needed to make this dream a reality. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help with construction and associated costs. 100% of your donation goes directly to this project. There is no administrative overhead!