World Villages for Children celebrates the Inauguration of the New Boys’ Secondary School in Tanzania
World Villages for Children and the Sisters of Mary have proudly announced the inauguration of a new school for boys in Dodoma, Tanzania. The purpose-built secondary school provides free secondary academic and vocational training, safe shelter, food, and care for boys from the poorest families from all over Tanzania.
This new boys’ school will be the 13th school for the Sisters and their second school in East Africa following the success of their programme for girls in Kisarawe, near Dar es Salaam. Since the successful establishment of Kisarawe Girls’ School in 2019, the Sisters of Mary have witnessed overwhelming demand from impoverished boys from throughout the country, eager to secure a place in the educational programmes.
Bringing this humanitarian education programme to the region is the culmination of many months of dedicated, collaborative work by the Sisters with the Diocese who provided the land, the help of the Ministry of Education with permits and accreditation, the Dodoma district commissioner who assisted with the building of the access road and the generous donations of our friends and supporters who have provided the funding for the build, services, care and education needed for the boys.
The inauguration on 21st September 2023 was attended by team members from World Villages for Children, the friends and supporters of the Sisters of Mary projects, the Archbishop of Dodoma Archbishop Beatus Kinyaiya, Dodoma District Commissioner and the Tanzania Minister for Education, Hon Prof Adolf Mkenda who represented His Excellency Hon Philip Mpango, Vice President of Tanzania.
During the inauguration, Professor Mkenda reinforced the government’s support for the work of the Sisters of Mary and expressed his sincere thanks to our friends and donors and to the Sisters “for the services you are giving to Tanzanians, regardless of their religion.
“The services that are going to be offered here, that are offered here now, and the services in Kisarawe, are unique in offering an education that would have been impossible for kids like these to enjoy. I can only say Asante sana, thank you very much,” said Prof. Mkenda.
The new school in Dodoma represents a significant step forward in bridging the academic and vocational education gap for impoverished boys in the country and mirrors the progressive approach adopted for the country’s girls at their Kisarawe school in providing quality accredited academic education and practical training relevant to local industries to upskill the children for good local employment so that they can become independent and help their families.
The poorest children in the region face stark challenges in accessing secondary education either because it is not near or they cannot afford uniform, travel to school or the necessary books. 70% of children aged 14-17 years old in Tanzania are not enrolled in secondary school.
The new Dodoma Boys’ School will provide young boys aged 11-17 years old with access to a free, quality academic and vocational education, live in care, three nutritious meals a day, safe shelter and a happy childhood.
In her speech to thank those involved and welcome the new boys, Sister Elena, Superior General of the Sisters of Mary said, “We are grateful that we are already taking care of 110 boys, who are happy, freed from worries and fear of not being able to eat during the day, of not having water and electricity, of violence and uncertainties. They can enjoy being children. And they have hope. They can study, work, play and pray with joy.”
Nicola Lawson, UK Manager and Trustee of World Villages for Children, expressed her keen support for this new programme, stating, “We really believe that education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty, and with this new boys’ secondary school, we are extending our provision in Tanzania and providing the boys from the poorest backgrounds with the opportunity to transform their lives, live independently, and contribute positively to their families and society.”
In its first phase, Dodoma Boystown will accommodate 160 boys in buildings housing dormitories, classrooms, and workshops. As funding permits, the subsequent phases will unfold over three years, with a target to host 900 to 1,000 boys annually upon completion.
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- World Villages for Children is an international children’s development charity committed to ending poverty through education by supporting the Sisters of Mary education programmes
- Every year, the Sisters of Mary humanitarian education programmes educate and care for nearly 20,000 children
- The Sisters of Mary programmes are funded through the generous support of donors worldwide.
About World Villages for Children work with the Sisters of Mary
With the support of World Villages for Children, the Sisters run 13 secondary schools, one elementary school, five nurseries, one training centre for out of school young women, and four medical centres in the Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, and Tanzania. So far over 167000 young people have graduated from the programmes into a better, poverty free life. With a commitment to providing children living in extreme poverty with access to quality education, vocational training, and essential life skills, World Villages for Children and the Sisters of Mary envision a world where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential and contribute positively to their communities, helping to break the cycle of poverty.