The Students

The most compelling reason I volunteer at GHTA again and again is the students.  The women I meet, and it is the same each time I come, are incredible.  They are smart, hard-working, ambitious, and brave.  The obstacles they face in their daily lives are things most of us who live in North America or Europe would not be able to imagine.  Yet they come to school each day with a smile on their face and a willingness to learn so that they may have a small chance for a better life.

The students are taught English, Business, and Vocations. They are divided into 3 Groups and rotate through the classes each week.  I am teaching Vocations/Math. The Vocations class is 3 hours long and during the first hour the students get a refresher course in basic math skills.  Many of the women’s educational level is Standard 7.  It is the equivalent of finishing school in the sixth grade.

Here are some pictures of the women in the Vocations class.  They are learning to make beaded jewelry, earrings in this case, and they are enjoying themselves.  There is a small market for beaded items at local gift shops here in Moshi.  Unfortunately, the tourist industry is suffering in this area as not as many people are traveling to Africa as did in the past.

This is Joyce. She is 47 years old and has 5 children.  She is often seen holding one of the younger student's babies.  The students are allowed to bring their children to school and they are looked after by Mary, a former student.  

 The woman with the cast on her arm is Ester. She is 24 years old with 2 children.  She broke her wrist on one of the first days of school and has yet to miss a day of class.

The woman in front in the black shirt is Neema.  The woman to her left (you can only see her hands) is also Neema. And the woman behind her in red is named Neema.  There is also another Neema who is not in the picture.  There are over 50 students and the struggle to remember everyone's name is real!

The woman in front in the beautiful African outfit is Miriam. Some of the women, especially the younger ones like Edna in the striped shirt, wear clothing we would expect to see at home.  The older women are more likely to come to school in more traditional Tanzanian clothes.  Some of them switch from day to day.  

This is Levina.  She has a 1 1/2 year old son named Brian who comes to school with her.

This is Pendo.  She is 41 years old and has 2 children.  She told me the last time she was in school was 1994.  She is struggling a bit with Math so she willingly stays after school to get extra help every day she can. She is an incredibly hard worker and sweet as can be.

This is Rayness.  She is 24 years old and has a 6 year old daughter. She is outgoing, charming, and has an incredible positive attitude. She is often seen taking a selfie!   

L to R, Zuwena, Tausi, and Bahati. These are the teacher/translators (not students) learning how to type for the first time.  They do not own laptops (a luxury the majority of Tanzanians would never be able to afford) so they are using a GHTA admin laptop and a couple that belong to the volunteers.  We downloaded a free typing program and helped them get going. They loved it. They were smiling and giggling, and having a wonderful time.