An Education changes a child's life forever!

The new school 'Intel School'

First, let me fill you in about the school system in Tanzania. It's actually pretty awesome. Their school year is a calendar year! The first day of school starts January 1st and ends December 31st.   The children start January; in school all of January, February and March; then out all of April; in school May, June and July; out all of August; in school September, October and November; write exams then out all of December; January, off to a new grade. Makes perfect sense to me! 

Anyway, at the start of this new year, all of the children of Karim Orphanage changed schools. Change is good! Also, I'm so excited to say, that six neighbour children are also attending this new school with our Karim bunch, thanks to my friends, family and Bridges of Hope. For some of them, it's the first time sitting in a classroom. How exciting is this? There were a few reasons for these changes. 

The oldest girls, Salma and Neema

First, one of our oldest girls, Neema, went off to secondary school. Which is kind of like going off to Jr and Sr high because the school she was attending was only an Elementary School, up to grade 6.  She is now attending St Teresa Secondary School, just outside of Arusha, which is a boarding school for girls. It is also the same school where our oldest, Salma, 17 years old, has been going. Neema is doing awesome after her first term and Salma will be graduating this year. Ohhhh, this is so exciting! She's the first one to graduate from Karim Orphanage. This would not have been possible without the help of Mama Jody and her family! 

The two youngest, Alex, 3 years old
 and Bashiri, 4 years old

The two youngest at Karim, Alex, 3 years old and Bashiri, 4 years old, started school this year. They were pretty excited and so proud to be putting on a uniform. They are big boys now and going off to school with the rest of the children. 
All the other children were moved from Sotwa Wilson School to Intel School. The reason for this move was, Sotwa Wilson was maybe 25-30 km away and it took an hour to get to school. Intel School is only 2 km away and a 5 minute bus ride or a 15 minute walk! We had to make the change for the children.

a thumbs up for School!

After the first term, all of the children all doing extremely well and are very happy with the change. They love their new school! They love their new green uniforms, all their new teachers and new friends. Most of all they love the fact that they get to sleep an extra hour because the bus doesn't pick them up till 8am instead of 7am and they are home at 3:30. Which means more time for homework and more time to be children and play! 

Richard, 11 years old and in a classroom for the first time
thanks to Jenn and her friends.

So now, ALL the children are in school getting an education! And of course, none of this would be possible for the children, without the help of all of our Sponsors.  An Education changes a child's life forever!  You the sponsor's have helped change a child's life forever!  Be proud.  'Asante sana na Mungu awabariki'!  (swahili for 'Thank you very much and God Bless you!)

Jahaya, 9 year old neighbor boy going to school
for the first time, thanks to 
St Henry's Jr Elementary School in Melville, Sask.

*Every child deserves the opportunity to sit in a classroom and get an education! Be the one to help change the life of a child.
*Are you interested in visiting Karim Orphanage, jumping on a bus or walking the dirt road to school with these children and spending some time with the children at the school? Trust me, it would be an experience you will never forget!