Kabuhinzi Early Childhood Education Classroom
Ukerewe Island, Tanzania
The island of Ukerewe is the largest of a number of islands located in the north-west sector of Tanzania in Lake Victoria, and is the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world. The island is across from Mwanza, the 2nd largest city in the country, which is situated on the mainland (a 3 hour ferry ride). Ukerewe Island is approximately 20km by 50 km and has an estimated population of 300,000+ people. There is only one town, Nansio, and many rural villages, making this a densely populated rural island. Subsistence agriculture is the main economic activity in the region, employing over 90% of the population. Only 3% of farmers have any agricultural education. Ukerewe is one of the poorest districts in Tanzania.
Community leaders believe that the key to improving lives is education. The closest school is 9 Kms. away from the village. The 87 children who currently attend walk 2-3 hours to get to school. The population of the village is over 800 and many children are unable to attend school due to the distance.
The village managed to raise funds to begin building the foundation for the school. They asked for help from CanAssist in building the first class room in the amount of approximately $8000.
In their excitement to bring education to their community, the community leaders have 2 international volunteers come to the village one day per week to teach the children English. The children are very excited to be learning. It is a slow going process without books, pencils, paper and a roof over their heads.
One classroom at a time – the community plans to construct a school to provide early childhood for children like this one. Your donation to CanAssist allocated to the Kabuhinze Classroom will help.
Through the generous support of CanAssist donors, sufficient funds were gained through our Giving Tuesday Challenge to construct the first classroom in this community. You can read more about it here.
The next need for this school is a teachers' quarters ( they are remote and the teachers get meagre salaries so some sort of housing helps retain teachers ) and a latrine.
If you would like to help to fund infrastructure projects at this school classroom, please indicate this with your donation to CanAssist - either by check to P.O. BOX 1385, Kingston, Ontario. K7L5C6 or using your credit card and the secure Canada Help link below.
