The core project for Friends of Lindi is to ensure that we have enough sponsorship to see our 7 children through the best education that we can afford. Any additional donations for sponsorship will go into a fund to supplement the individual sponsors. The aim is to educate these children to their potential. This will enable them to gain employment and in turn educate their own families. We really need to build up a fund for these children to see them through their education. You may be interested in co-sponsoring one of these children. The current annual cost including fees, uniform, textbooks, summer break tuition, transport and daytime food is £500. A contribution of any amount to some of this would be very welcome. You will receive regular updates and communication from the students as their level of English progresses. Be part of our experiment to prove that wealth is not a pre-requisite to success in education. If you are able to help please use our donation form on the menu.
Education is the key to development. One major hurdle the vast majority of children face in Tanzania is that they are taught in Kiswahili in Primary school and then switch to learning in English at secondary level. Imagine studying for your GCSEs in French or German! The middle classes of course send their children to private English Medium primary schools.
We started by sponsoring 3 pre-school neighbours' children with the help of friends and family. This number has risen to 6 plus one scholarship at Joy School, Lindi. Their success so far proves that it is opportunity not ability that holds back poorer families and their children.
Friends of Lindi has supported the only English Medium primary school in Lindi - Joy School. Our children attend the school and generous donations have helped with some construction, books, sports equipment and training as well as computers. See the Facebook page Friends of Joy School for more information on the school.
Arrival in Lindi – 2014
Our first sponsored children - neighbours who were curious and so welcoming to us in Lindi. All from challenging backgrounds with little education.
Julias, Hidaya and Hajirat, before and after enrolling in Joy School English Medium Pre-school which was chosen by their mamas. In reality it was the only choice in town.
Karishma
Karishma was 8 when we met her and discovered that she had missed 2 years of school as her brothers had been prioritized for education. In fact in the evenings and mornings she was working as a house girl 2 doors away from us – washing up, cleaning and carrying water to the house.
We and her sponsors are so happy to see that she has graduated from Primary school with a top grade. Karishma will start secondary school in January 2022.
Seven years later – 2021
They are now all at English Medium boarding schools both for safety and it enables them to study, instead of the girls doing so many household chores morning and evening.
All doing well and are happy. We speak to them in English on a regular basis.
Debora and Buyegi
When their father died early we found sponsors for these two sisters. They are both high achievers and would have sunk without trace in the government school system. Debora has just graduated from Primary school as the top student out of 71 other schools in Lindi District.
Their mother, Happiness has become one of our key people on the ground in Lindi and she oversees all the sponsored children’s educational needs.
Young Buyegi
Buyegi December 2021
Young Debora
