As we start Basic Education and Literacy Month, let's look at what the Rotary Club of Willowdale has done in July 2020. They delivered in July 2020 the new school uniforms to J. K. Nyerere primary school in Arusha, Tanzania Africa. The club has been supporting the Arusha school since 2013 with multiple needs. It is remarkable that the Rotary Club of Willowdale together with generous donors, annually supports the J. K. Nyerere school without ever applying for any Rotary District or Global Grants to help assist in this project.....
Back to History:
The club was introduced to the school by Margaret Adat (a Willowdale Rotarian since 2015) and her family who discovered the school on a family trip to Tanzania in 2007. While enjoying a comfortable vacation safari in the great wildlife parks of Tanzania they decided they wanted to give something back and with the help of their driver David Laizer they found J.K. Nyerere primary school, which was in need of much help.
J. K. Nyerere Primary School is a government funded public school that was started in 2001. The number of students attending the school ranges from 720 to over 900 per year educating children from Standard 1 to Standard 7. In Tanzania standard 4 and standard 7 students sit national exams. Standard 7 students must pass this national exam in order to get into high school. When we were first introduced to the school approx. 22 students passed the Standard 7 exam annually.
The government funding is 290,000 TZS per quarter (approx. $165Cdn) to operate the school – excluding teachers’ salaries which are paid directly by the government. The school allocates this funding as follows: 30% for teaching supplies, 20% to print national exams and 20% for administration/upkeep of the school. The funding is woefully inadequate leaving the school in ill repair and without even the basics when it comes to desks, text books and everyday supplies. It is a challenge for the teachers to teach without the basics.
Currently they have 60 students which are special needs with a range of challenges from downs syndrome to being blind along with 50 students who are orphaned and being cared for by family members or members of the local community.
What Rotary Club of Willowdale’s support means for this school in Tanzania:
Throughout the years many of the daily needs of the school have been met with the annual support provided by the club. A recent fundraising effort is the publishing of a book about J. K. Nyerere primary school, titled “Perfectly Ordinary, Yet Extraordinary: Making a Meaningful Difference in the Lives of Others” by Dean and Talya Rotbart, which was adapted from the story “Improbable Lives: A Scot, a Tanzanian, and Their Canadian Love Story” to be published in 2020. The book contains the school’s history and stories of kind helping hands along the way, which made a difference for the children of Arusha. The results to date show what people brought together in action with a purpose can accomplish. Dean and Talya have graciously donated all the proceeds from this book to the school.
“Excerpt from the book”
Meet Margaret and Riyaz Adat, two perfectly ordinary individuals who have accomplished extraordinary things in the service of others. Together, they epitomize the ability of anyone to make a meaningful difference in the world. This text aims to inspire readers to take up the challenge of homegrown charitable projects, be they in a community half-a-world away or within walking distance. The Adats focused their efforts on the woebegone J.K. Nyerere Primary School in Arusha, Tanzania, an overcrowded and under-resourced school that lacked virtually every essential. With determination, focus, and love, over time the Adats resurrected J.K. Nyerere and saved it from the brink.
Perfectly Ordinary, Yet Extraordinary tells the tale of the Adats' efforts, and offers actionable lessons to others who wish to undertake their own charitable missions. Many, many people want to do good. They want to make the world a better place. But they don't have the confidence and knowledge that they need. This book offers a roadmap to success. One-hundred percent of the revenues from the sale of this book, after expenses, will be donated to the J.K. Nyerere Primary School in Arusha.
The book can be purchased on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Ordinary-Yet-Extraordinary-Meaningful/dp/1660156491
and also on Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfectly-ordinary-yet-extraordinary-talya-rotbart/1136279409
Several of the members of the Rotary Club of Willowdale have visited the school over the past 6 years. One of our members in October of 2019 talked with Bhoke Nyerere, the granddaughter of Julius K. Nyerere, the first prime minister of Tanzania. Bhoke has graciously agreed to be a “mentor” for the school and has since been in touch with them with the goal of helping them start planting crops to help them become more self-sufficient.
Since 2014 the Rotary Club of Willowdale has raised over $98,000. These funds have, and are currently being used for various projects.
Ongoing Annual contributions:
● Contribute to the cost of feeding students during national exams – parents cover 50% of the cost.
● Provide uniforms for orphaned students.
● Assist in maintenance of the school. Repairs to classrooms, windows etc.
● Supplement the purchase of school supplies and books.
● Supplement the purchase of new desks required due to additional student enrollment or to replace old, broken desks.
Projects completed:
● Built new washrooms. Washroom facilities were not hygienic. Please reference pictures attached.
● Repaired the entire school, Roof, Walls, Ceilings, Floors, Windows.
● Brought in clean water supply.
● Built building to serve as kitchen
● Built wall to secure the school property.
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Future Projects:
● Provide a well for improved water supply.
● Build additional classrooms. Currently there can be over 100 students in a class.
● Continue to feed students during Standard 4 and Standard 7 national exams.
● Expand electricity to additional classrooms.
● Fund a computer room – with a photocopier.
● Provide uniforms/shoes/backpacks for 50 orphaned students
● Complete the teachers residence
● Create a special unit for students with disabilities and intellectual impairments – currently there are 60 of these students.
● Provide incentives for improved marks in Standard 7 – e.g. school trip to national park for those over a targeted mark.
What has this accomplished?
J. K. Nyerere Primary School is a better place in which to learn, and encouraging more children in the surrounding neighbourhood to attend school.
Increase the number of students completing the standard 7 education from 22 students per year to between 75 – 100 students per year now.
Improved sanitation and hygiene for students and teachers.
Give the teachers ability to cook food for the students.
Keep school secure.
Thanks to the Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Willowdale, right here in District 7070.
