In 2015 the Ministry of Education, the regional commissioner and the local leadership of Mgaraganza Village opened Amahoro Secondary School, which Project Wezesha spearheaded with the generous donations of many supporters. This was the first secondary school in Mgaraganza, a village with hundreds of children. It also became the secondary school for many students living in villages located on Lake Tanganyika, who previously had to walk almost 2 hours to reach Kagongo Secondary School.
In its first years, Amahoro Secondary School was performing like a new school — that is to say, not well. They didn’t have many resources, there was no laboratory for science subjects, some classrooms were still under construction, they didn’t have enough desks and chairs for all students, and there was a shortage of toilets to serve all students as their numbers increased over the years. They also lacked electricity and therefore had no way to make copies or print materials for the students, and no opportunity to offer evening tutoring support. With these and other limitations facing the school, Amahoro students were not performing particularly well on national exams, which both affected the school’s ranking as well as the students’ prospects of attending high school.
Over the years, Project Wezesha has run several campaigns to address some of these shortcomings. With the help of rock star supporters like Shelmina, Minaz and Kate — who each bring impressive networks of generous donors — we were able to furnish all classrooms with desks and chairs, as well as add additional latrines. The students were thrilled about this!
In addition, Shelmina and Minaz — a power couple who we fondly refer to as Amahoro’s Guardian Angels — launched a fundraising campaign in April 2020. Despite the emerging panic around the Coronavirus pandemic, their friends and family contributed thousands of dollars! With the capital (over $30,000) raised through this fundraiser – commemorating Shelmina’s 60th birthday – Project Wezesha was able to coordinate the following:
- Our general contractor, Isaya and his team completed the floors in every single classroom;
- They plastered and painted the walls in each classroom;
- They built a feminine care facility for the girls so their periods are no longer a reason they stay home;
- They installed a 5,000 gallon water tank;
- Carpenters in Kigoma built and installed windows and doors in each classroom;
- We commissioned a solar power company to install solar panels on the school; and
- We provided a photocopy/print machine, plus 5 Dell computers for the teachers.
This fall, teachers and students were able to stay later at the school to prepare for the important Form 2 and Form 4 national exams.
What was the impact??
Amahoro Secondary School jumped in rankings and now places 4th overall among ALL government schools in the Kigoma Region!! We would have been pleased with any top ten finish, but 4th place! The teachers and the students put so much time in to prepare for these exams. Congratulations!! Hongera sana!! What an accomplishment and what a community effort!
Staying past dark and being able to print mock exams for practice was only possible due to the amazing support received through Shelmina and Minaz’s network. It goes to show how much community matters — we are rarely one person, acting alone. Progress and success require collaboration, compassion, trust, and believing that anything is possible when we work together!
Thank you! Asante sana!