They work on projects which make an immediate difference to people’s lives and this was not lost on our students who were alarmed to hear about the number of intruders breaking into the school and stealing valuable equipment.
So we were delighted to learn over the summer that our donation of 45,000 RMB has gone towards the building of a new fence that will surround the school property to make it more secure. This is in addition to the funds we also raised for the building of goat sheds for Tanzanian villagers. The goat shed project was also worthwhile for the fact that it gave a source of food straight away for an elderly lady who had been abandoned by her family. Selling the milk she did not use, she was able to set up a small business.
When we return in November, we hope to work further with the school and get to work on renovating the teacher accommodation. Currently, the buildings are in poor shape and are unfit as shelter for the teachers. Instead of living onsite (as is the eventual plan), teachers have to travel up to three hours a day just to get to and from work, often leaving them exhausted.
We look forward to reporting on our next trip further in the year.
April Rudd, Mathematics Teacher