Good education! For us, it is the most normal thing in the world, but for children in Tanzania, this is not always feasible. Parents do not have the money to pay for school, or they need their children to earn enough money to make ends meet.
At Upendo Daima, we believe education is extremely important for the future of our children. Children who have just come off the streets and are still staying at Back Home House receive “informal” lessons in a small classroom on the premises. These lessons are mainly intended to teach children what it is like to sit in a school classroom again. Most of them have not seen the inside of a school for a long time and some have never even been to school.
When the child returns home, Upendo Daima ensures that the child has the opportunity to attend a real school. If necessary, Upendo Daima pays the school fees, approximately €50 per child, including books and uniform, until the parents are able to pay for it themselves.
Children who cannot simply return home stay at Malimbe Family for a longer period of time. Here, they attend a local primary school. By attending a local school, they remain in close contact with peers who are able to live with their parents. At school, they are taught the same subjects as we are.
At the end of primary school, the children are between 12 and 16 years old. They then have to take an exam. After this, they move on to further education. Children who are practically minded receive vocational training to become mechanics or carpenters. Children with more theoretical interests go to secondary school.
Upendo Daima currently supports around 35 children in secondary school and between 10 and 15 children in further education. The costs amount to around €300 per child.
Faustine had almost finished primary school when he ended up on the streets. His father had lost his job and could no longer provide for Faustine. Fortunately, Faustine came to the attention of Upendo Daima. They soon discovered that he was not only ready to take his final exams, he was already registered to do so. Upendo Daima did everything in its power to transfer his registration to an exam at a school in the neighbourhood. Despite all the uncertainty in his life, Faustine studied hard for his exams. And… he succeeded! Faustine passed and is now temporarily attending a secondary boarding school. In the meantime, Upendo Daima is working with Faustine’s parents so that Faustine can return home as usual during the holidays.
