A Message from Mama about Students helping Students!

Ngyani Primary School Students!

A message from Mama:  One of the most beautiful (and unexpected) collateral benefits of presenting in schools, churches, personal residences, etc. in developed parts of the world is how people empathize immediately with the struggles of the desperately poor.  This is especially true when I visit schools and share stories of students in genuine need.

I will share our immediate need to build toilets (Cost $4,518.00) and restore a classroom dedicated to math (Cost $2,725.00) at a local government school; and that, until we brought one, the school had NO math teacher . . . (Cost – $3,947.00 annually)

I will share how many children will fail their mandatory national exams (and drop out) of primary school and how we want to better prepare the incoming first year secondary students so they will have a greater understanding of math and English.  We will do this by hosting a free ‘Pre-Form One” program for the three primary schools feeding into our Nshupu Secondary . . . (Our Cost – $1,776.00)

I will share how we have constructed a hostel for the senior students and how this hostel has improved grades dramatically in JUST ONE YEAR, BUT, how, because of financial constraints, these students eat the same food, EVERY DAY and how we’d like to change that up a bit.  (Cost – $9,868.00 annually)

I will share how we have been approached by many, MANY students whose performance is outstanding, especially considering the school(s) they come from but, without some financial support they won’t be able to advance in their studies. (Ongoing and dependent upon funding but about $350.00 per student per year.)

Only about 4% of children graduate from secondary school.  Of that 4% only 11.5% finish school with any proficiency in math or science!  We need to change that and so we pay the salaries for 4 math/science teachers AND provide their teaching needs, seminars, etc.  This all costs money.  Teacher Needs & Salaries Budget – $17,441.00.

These numbers at first seems a bit overwhelming but if we could find just 25 schools to raise $1,000.00, or 13 schools to raise $2,000.00 we can do it!  Our Tumaini mantra is “with hope, everything is possible”.  We can do it!

There are many stories.  There are many needs.  One of the best things I’ve seen in developed countries is empathy, real understanding of the plight of poor children.  I see a change in perspectives for many kids who previously may have had their priorities mixed up.  I see children adjusting their lenses and sometimes even reevaluating their futures and redirecting their energies in an entirely new direction.  I see new relationships developing, and travel to new places, and I see students communicating with students on the other side of the world and I think that’s pretty cool!

Many children from wealthier countries cannot conceive of helping others until they realize just how manageable their own life is!  This is perhaps one of the most beautiful surprises I never anticipated doing this work.

Student+>Student – I’ve seen it at work and it’s awesome!