No water in the schoolyard, too few desks, overcrowded classrooms – and Jeneliva is right in the middle of it all. The seventh-grader, who aspires to teach a class herself one day, is coping remarkably with the challenges at her school.
In the rural region of Songwe in Tanzania, 14-year-old Jeneliva attends Shiwinga Primary School. The school faces several challenges. With more than 900 students, the classrooms are completely overcrowded—up to 90 children sit in one room. Many classrooms lack desks and chairs.
Nevertheless, Jeneliva loves going to school. So much so that she wants to become a teacher one day. "I especially enjoy the subjects Swahili and science. I'd like to teach those later," she says.
But everyday life at Jeneliva's school presents further challenges. Due to the lack of water supply, she and her friends go to a well 15 minutes away to fetch water three times a week.
Improve learning environment
Through our education project, which we are implementing together with the local organization Southern Highlands Participatory Organization (SHIPO), we are trying to improve learning conditions at Jenelivas and 29 other schools in the region.
We strengthen the capacity of school leaders and train teachers in pedagogical skills, particularly in teaching the basic subjects of mathematics, reading, and writing. They receive training in lesson preparation, the use of teaching and learning materials, and teaching large classes.
We're also equipping classrooms with desks and gradually securing water supplies at schools, so students like Jeneliva no longer have to spend valuable time fetching water.
Strengthening children's rights
We also focus on establishing school clubs that address topics such as children's rights, health, and the environment. Jeneliva is part of the Children's Rights Club. Here, she learned about children's rights. "I learned that children have the right to education, the right to an identity, the right to healthcare, and the right to express their opinions," she says proudly. She now also knows where to turn if she witnesses a violation of a child's right or witnesses harassment.
"In the Children's Rights Club, I learned about children's rights and where I can turn if I observe a violation."
Jeneliva is determined to follow her path despite all the obstacles. With projects like this, we support her and 101,937 other children in East Africa in securing their education and building a better future.
The programme is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA