News and Updates
March 2012
EdPowerment’s programs accelerated notably this winter – perhaps because two members of our founding team – Kerri Elliott and Jillian Swinford – are on the ground in Tanzania for one year.
We are in the process of adding
information and photos to our website, but the following gives a telling snapshot of how EdPowerment is impacting the Moshi community today:
Here is a recap of the last few months:
Our Sponsored Student Program:
Things tend to mushroom in Tanzania, sometimes because of communication “confusion,” sometimes because there is such need that it is “hard to say ‘no.’”
Both factors have contributed to the growth of our sponsored students from two in April, 2010 to 25 as of March, 2012. Each of these students has a compelling story, and although each may not qualify for higher education, each will complete secondary school and further studies that will offer a path to economic independence and better lives for their extended families.
One note: Grace Lyimo, our Country Director, personally knows each sponsored student and his or her caretakers. She oversees our new annual “Discovery Scholarship” program in the village and works closely with the administration of every school that our students attend.
This January 70 teenagers began the year at the Kilimahewa Education Centre. As we have explained, most of these teenagers have been excluded from further government education because they did not "pass" the Standard 7 test at the end of primary school or were otherwise unable to attend a government secondary school. We continue to bolster a curriculum that gives them a chance to pass two "Qualifying Tests" which still can open the door for vocational and higher education.
If our students cannot pass these tests, they still can build language, math and other knowledge that will support future vocational or employment opportunities. These teenagers come to study, receive a nutritious lunch and learn about the world: their alternative is a dead end.
And so Kerri and Jillian put together an after-school program one day a week to introduce students
to careers and pathways, but even more important, to concepts such as self-confidence, goal-setting, and disciplined planning - ideas these students have never considered; ideas that just might be the spark that inspires them to overcome their daunting circumstances.
And what about our water project?
As you may know, Sub-Saharan Africa is struggling with drought conditions. Tanzania also is suffering from a lack of rain. Water is even turned off regularly in urban areas serviced by major water authorities. Given this scenario, the Kilimahewa Water Project is more critical than ever to many local families. Children, mothers and others come every evening to Will containers – some in wheelbarrows – with the only safe water available.
backgrounds, they have been able to connect with the few local organizations that actually target the needs of children and adult with disabilities.
EdPowerment is now assisting two non-profits, Building Caring Communities (BCC) and the Gabriella Centre to structure programs, develop daily schedules and activities, and serve this otherwise ignored population. We also have agreed to fund a special needs teacher and other support for the Gabriella Centre so that it can develop a long-term intervention program for young adults (and their caregivers) that will help them to function in society after school years.
This is truly a landmark program, a vision of a young couple, Brenda and Anthony Shuma, two of the 30 (!)professional occupational therapists in the entire country of Tanzania.
This month we will be hosting an Autism Workshop to bring together families and caretakers in a forum not offered anywhere else to share their experiences, discover what resources and support services may be available and simply learn that they are not alone.
To help fund this program Kerri and Jillian have organized a fundraiser where they will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in hopes of raising enough funds to fund our Autism Program. Check out their fundraising flyer on the next page and check out their Razoo Fundraising page at: www.razoo.com/story/STEPPING-UP-FOR-SPECIAL-NEEDS
EdPowerment’s programs accelerated notably this winter – perhaps because two members of our founding team – Kerri Elliott and Jillian Swinford – are on the ground in Tanzania for one year.
We are in the process of adding
 |
| Rozina and Abdallah: two of our Discovery Scholarship winners |
 |
Here is a recap of the last few months:
Our Sponsored Student Program:
Things tend to mushroom in Tanzania, sometimes because of communication “confusion,” sometimes because there is such need that it is “hard to say ‘no.’”
Both factors have contributed to the growth of our sponsored students from two in April, 2010 to 25 as of March, 2012. Each of these students has a compelling story, and although each may not qualify for higher education, each will complete secondary school and further studies that will offer a path to economic independence and better lives for their extended families.One note: Grace Lyimo, our Country Director, personally knows each sponsored student and his or her caretakers. She oversees our new annual “Discovery Scholarship” program in the village and works closely with the administration of every school that our students attend.
The Kilimahewa Educational Centre and Water Project
This January 70 teenagers began the year at the Kilimahewa Education Centre. As we have explained, most of these teenagers have been excluded from further government education because they did not "pass" the Standard 7 test at the end of primary school or were otherwise unable to attend a government secondary school. We continue to bolster a curriculum that gives them a chance to pass two "Qualifying Tests" which still can open the door for vocational and higher education.If our students cannot pass these tests, they still can build language, math and other knowledge that will support future vocational or employment opportunities. These teenagers come to study, receive a nutritious lunch and learn about the world: their alternative is a dead end. And so Kerri and Jillian put together an after-school program one day a week to introduce students
to careers and pathways, but even more important, to concepts such as self-confidence, goal-setting, and disciplined planning - ideas these students have never considered; ideas that just might be the spark that inspires them to overcome their daunting circumstances. And what about our water project?
As you may know, Sub-Saharan Africa is struggling with drought conditions. Tanzania also is suffering from a lack of rain. Water is even turned off regularly in urban areas serviced by major water authorities. Given this scenario, the Kilimahewa Water Project is more critical than ever to many local families. Children, mothers and others come every evening to Will containers – some in wheelbarrows – with the only safe water available.
 |
33 Kilimahewa students took part in their :irst 5K – at the Kilimanjaro Marathon- on February 26. For many this was their :irst experience in such a setting – what a great day for them and EdPowerment. |
Autism Connects Tanzania
This is where EdPowerment has expanded its influence the most. In Tanzania, disabilities are still associated with witchcraft, curses and other social stigmas. Children are hidden from society while the few "special needs classes" are simply classrooms that segregate any student with a disability (there is no differentiation). Because both Kerri and Jillian have special educationbackgrounds, they have been able to connect with the few local organizations that actually target the needs of children and adult with disabilities. EdPowerment is now assisting two non-profits, Building Caring Communities (BCC) and the Gabriella Centre to structure programs, develop daily schedules and activities, and serve this otherwise ignored population. We also have agreed to fund a special needs teacher and other support for the Gabriella Centre so that it can develop a long-term intervention program for young adults (and their caregivers) that will help them to function in society after school years.
This is truly a landmark program, a vision of a young couple, Brenda and Anthony Shuma, two of the 30 (!)professional occupational therapists in the entire country of Tanzania.
This month we will be hosting an Autism Workshop to bring together families and caretakers in a forum not offered anywhere else to share their experiences, discover what resources and support services may be available and simply learn that they are not alone.
To help fund this program Kerri and Jillian have organized a fundraiser where they will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in hopes of raising enough funds to fund our Autism Program. Check out their fundraising flyer on the next page and check out their Razoo Fundraising page at: www.razoo.com/story/STEPPING-UP-FOR-SPECIAL-NEEDS
Community Outreach
| Each year, we try to support schools or programs in the nearby villages that show a real commitment to educating its students. This year, a local primary school appealed to us for funds to complete a classroom and teachers quarters begun over five years ago. In February, EdPowerment’s leaders attended the "ribbon cutting" ceremony of this project. To finish the job, we have committed additional monies so that the school and teachers quarters can connect to electricity and water. Again, imagine a primary school of nearly 400 students with no water or electrical access! With just a modest amount of money ($11,000 for the building and electrical/water hook-ups), EdPowerment – and you – have left a huge mark on this school and village. So this is where EdPowerment stands today. We are grassroots; our funds are delivered and monitored in the most painstaking way possible; and we deliberately choose students, programs and schools we believe have the most sustained possibility of success. Thank you for taking the time to read our latest news. Your interest and your support allow us to bring opportunity where there is none. Asante sana, Moira G. Madonia, Kerri Elliott and Jillian Swinford For more information check out our website (www.edpowerment.org) or our Facebook page. For Information on Jillian and Kerri’s stay in Tanzania check out their personal blog: http://wazunguwanderings.weebly.com |
 The new classroom at Sambarai – Mary Bennet Primary School funded by EdPowerment.  |
