Africa Schoolhouse
building schools in rural Tanzania A 501c3 and registered NGO
“ MY DREAM
IS FOR ALL CHILDREN OF AFRICA TO GO TO SCHOOL. WE MUST BE UNRELENTING IN OUR EFFORTS TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.”
–NELSON MANDELA
1788
CH ILDREN CURRENTLY ATTENDING SCH OOLS CONSTRUCTED BY AFRICA SCH OOLH OUSE
OUR MISSION
Africa Schoolhouse constructs quality schools that promote education, safety, and good health through the use of innovative practices and sustainable materials. We collaborate with communities and local government to positively impact life outcomes for children in rural Tanzania.
A HISTORY BUILT ON LASTING RELATIONSHIPS
Africa Schoolhouse was founded in 2006 by Dr. AimĂŠe Bessire in response to a request from Ntulya village elders, whom she and her husband had known since 1994. They asked for assistance in building a school for their children and health clinic for the community. Dr. Bessire shared their story with a group of old friends, and they formed the non-profit Africa Schoolhouse with the mission to help children in remote parts of Africa gain access to life-changing education. These longstanding relationships in both Tanzania and the U.S. continue to define and inform everything we do.
ALL CHILDREN IN RURAL TANZANIA DESERVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO SCHOOL.
95%
OF ALL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TOWARD WORK ON TH E GROUND
COLLABORATION IS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO SPARK GROWTH AND IMPROVE LIVES. We are a grass-roots organization working in partnership with the local government districts of Kwimba and Misungwi. Every project begins as a conversation with local communities; we listen carefully to make sure that the voices of local citizens are reflected in each project. Working closely with village leaders, district officials, teachers, and parents ensures that we will meet the needs of the communities and makes it possible for the projects to remain successful long into the future.
Founded on friendships that go back decades, the strength of our enduring relationships shows in our finished results.
WE EMPLOY A FULLY LOCAL STAFF ON EVERY PROJECT Our view is holistic: each building project is an opportunity to offer job training to the women and men living in the communities we support. Our experienced workers teach and mentor new ones. Many of these women and men are now well established in their communities as respected masons, bricklayers, and carpenters.
Since our first project in 2008, our talented and accomplished construction foremen, Amos Sungururu, Mapambano Fukuji, and Elisha Kayange have trained scores of local women and men.
O N LY
4%
O F TA NZ AN I AN G IR LS C OM P L E T E S ECO NDARY S C H OOL
THE CHALLENGE
WHY BUILD A S CH O OL F OR GI RL S ? Girls face serious obstacles on the road to education— and we mean this literally—including everything from families who privilege the education of sons over daughters, to girls being married off at young ages. For many girls, the journey to school is not safe. Assault is not uncommon. Despite these challenges, girls are determined to make the journey. IN TA NZ A NIA : 3 girls are enrolled in secondary school * 11 in in is married by age 18 * 1 in 39 girls has given birth by age 18 * 1 in 3 girls girls experiencing sexual violence * before age report 18 Educating girls has a profound effect on reducing global poverty. A UNESCO report revealed the following staggering statistics:
* * *
Secondary education for girls reduces child marriages by 64% Secondary education for girls reduces early birth by 59% In Tanzania, a secondary education reduces extreme poverty by 60%
THE SOLUTION A safe haven for Tanzanian girls, empowering them to grow into strong, healthy women.
WHEN A GIRL RECEIVES AN EDUCATION, SHE IS MORE LIKELY TO PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY AND SEND HER OWN CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, THUS REDUCING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.
Milembe School will provide safe living space for girls in Misungwi District, one of the poorest areas in Mwanza region where there are few options for girls to complete their secondary school education. There is an enormous impact on the reduction of poverty when girls are given opportunities to go to school, enter the workforce, and inspire future generations to do the same.
WINFRIDA ‘ S S TO RY IN S P I RE S OU R WORK TO CR EAT E A S AF E S PAC E F OR GIRLS EDUCAT IO N. “I have a long journey to walk from home to school. When I arrive home, I have so much work to do. I have to fetch the water, go to the market, do the cooking, wash the dishes and then maybe there is a half hour for schoolwork. If I want to finish my studies, I don’t get to sleep much. I wake up at 5:00 am to do my chores before leaving for school. There are sometimes strangers on the road who offer you a lift. If we had a dormitory to stay in, we wouldn’t face these challenges. I could be safe and focus on my studies and do well at school. My grandmother and mother went to school through 7th grade. If I get an education, I know it will improve my chances to have a good life.”
MILEMBE SECONDARY SCHOOL INSPIRES QUALITY, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION FOR RURAL SCHOOLS IN TANZANIA. DESIGNING A SCH OOL TH AT EMP H ASIZ ES UTILITY, INNOVATION, AND INTEGRITY Our partners at the architectural firm Scattergood Design, whose work includes the Cambridge Public Library, have volunteered hundreds of hours meticulously researching and planning the design for the Milembe School, ensuring it will be the best possible campus for years to come. BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE CAMP US TO IMPACT GENERATIONS OF GIRLS In our work at Milembe, as with our previously completed campuses, environmentally sustainable classrooms are built to benefit generations of students and teachers. Every project begins by installing a clean, deep well to provide a long-lasting supply of clean water for both the school and widespread community, and all of our construction materials are sourced for sustainability and purchased from local vendors. We are creating a sustainable campus that will last long into the future, and we hope will inspire girls to recognize the importance of caring for the environment.
WHEN ALL PHASES ARE COMPLETE, THE SCHOOL WILL ACCOMMODATE 420 GIRLS, PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, STEM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
TH E CAMP US WILL INCLU D E: dormitories (each with 42 girls) * 10 10 classrooms * 4 laboratories * multi-purpose dining hall * kitchen * 14 houses for teachers and * dorm mothers building * administrative * library * infirmary and composting latrines * showers sports fields netball courts * guard house and * campus wall and surrounding
COMPLETED CAMPUS USA
KEY TO BUILDINGS A B C D DS E G GM H K L LC M T V XD XC W
ADMINISTRATION MULITPURPOSE/ DINING HALL CLASSROOMS DORMITORY (40 BEDS) LATRINE/SHOWERS LATRINES GUARD HOUSE GROUNDS/MAINTENANCE DISPENSARY KITCHEN LABORATORIES LIBRARY/COMPUTER LAB MATRON TEACHER HOUSE VOLUNTEER HOUSE FUTURE A LEVELS DORM FUTURE A LEVELS CLASSROOM WATER STORAGE TANKS
MILEMBE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Iteja, Misungwi District, Tanzania
NTULYA PRIMARY SCHOOL
A local school is a point of pride.
We broke ground on the Ntulya Primary School in July 2008 and completed construction in 2010. It remains the only accessible school for local children. Architect Leslie Jill Hanson modeled the innovative design on the traditional Sukuma village layout of clustered homes. Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, then-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, visited and inaugurated the new school, declaring it a model for all rural schools in the country. It gives us great pride to see children from the local villages now graduating from Standard 7 at Ntulya Primary and moving on to Mwaniko Secondary School. Many parents who grew up in Ntulya village with no possibility of going to school have children who are now receiving an education there. These families repeatedly remind us how much education is changing their lives. THE NT U LYA CA MPU S I N C L U D E S : student capacity * 630 landscaped campus * 20-acre 14 classrooms * 10 teacher houses * 75-meter deep well * Composting latrines with rainwater catchment * Soccer field and net-ball courts *
“
Ntulya Primary is a model school that should be copied throughout Tanzania. — JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA (2005–2015)
“
Ntulya Primary has changed our lives. Before Africa Schoolhouse built the school, all the students had to share one school at Mondo with half going in the morning and half in the afternoon. I had to walk two hours to get to Mondo School. With Ntulya, I had a school closer to home. We liked the 'house' classrooms— they were unique and made for great class spaces!
”
— JANETH, NTULYA GRADUATE, NOW MWANIKO FORM FOUR STUDENT
BEFORE
NOW
CHILDR EN O F NTULYA VILLAG E ATTENDING S CHO O L :
CHILDR EN O F NTULYA VILLAG E ATTENDING S C H O O L :
18%
100%
AVER AG E TIM E S PENT WA LKING TO S CHO O L :
AVER AG E TIME SP EN T WA LKING TO SCH O O L :
90 MINUTES
20 MINUTES
NTULYA HEALTH POST
Thousands of people now have access to life-saving medical care. Working with the community and local government to identify the need, Africa Schoolhouse built this modern clinic in an effort to bring life-saving medical treatment to six remote villages in the Misungwi District of Tanzania. Patients are now receiving medicine for diseases that, if left untreated, can be fatal. The clinic includes wards for men and women, a birthing room, examination room, and dispensary, as well as houses for the on-site doctor, nurses and volunteers. In a rural area without electricity, we brought solar power to the Ntulya Health Post for after-dark emergencies, labor, and deliveries. The Health Post treats children and adults for malaria and respiratory tract infections like pneumonia. It offers vaccinations supplied by the local health department for TB, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and more. Women receive pre and post-natal care, delivery assistance, and family planning education. Additional services include: health counseling, oral hygiene care, general wound care, HIV/AIDS testing, and life-saving anti-malarial medications. The Ntulya Health Post was constructed through the generous funding of the GO Campaign.
AN AVERAGE YEAR AT THE CLINIC
3235 OUTPATIENT VISITS:
98 NUMBER OF BIRTHS:
2614 MALARIA CASES TREATED:
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS TREATED:
986
We identified dire need to rebuild and strengthen existing facilities at Mwaniko Secondary and Shilanona Primary Schools.
RENOVATION PROJECTS
MWANIKO SECONDARY SCHOOL 2011–2012 OUR FIR S T R ENOVAT I ON P ROJE C T T RAN S F ORM E D A DILA PIDAT ED S ECON DARY S C H OOL I N TO A MODER N, T H R IVING AC AD E M I C I N S T I T U T I ON .
* * * * * * * * *
450 student capacity 6 classrooms Teacher housing Administration building Bio-chemistry laboratory Solar powered computer lab with satellite modem Composting latrines Deep well Sports fields
FORM 4 MWANIKO STUDENTS SCORED HIGHEST IN MISUNGWI DISTRICT ON THEIR 2016 NATIONAL EXAMS.
GIRLS ATTENDANCE
Girls have traditionally been unable to attend school during their monthly cycles. This is an enormous problem throughout Tanzania. By installing sanitary latrines that include washing rooms for girls, we have eliminated this problem at all of our schools.
SHILANONA PRIMARY SCHOOL 2013–2014 SH ILANONA STUDENTS WERE SITTING ON DIRT FLOORS WITH LEAKING ROOFS BEFORE TH E RENOVATIONS.
“
We have noticed great improvement in the students’ work and handwriting since Africa Schoolhouse renovated the classrooms and supplied desks for all children.
”
MWALIMU ELIZABETH, TEACHER SHILANONA PRIMARY SCHOOL
* * * * * * * * *
550 student capacity 8 classrooms Administrative Offices New desks and classroom cabinets New teacher houses Sanitary composting latrines Deep well Rainwater catchment system Sports fields
The Shilanona renovation project was funded in part through our collaboration with Children of Tanzania.
WATER
Every Africa Schoolhouse project begins by drilling a deep well. We are committed to bringing clean water to the schools and communities we serve. A local well means women and girls have more free time for their education, businesses, and other activities.
ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER
* * *
Lessens risk of diseases Improves health of individuals and communities Helps keep girls in school
* *
Increases time spent in classrooms Aids farmers during times of drought
The Milembe School laboratories are the first in this rural area to have running water from a rainwater catchment system.
WATER IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND A THRIVING EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT.
SUSTAINABILITY + INNOVATION
Our experience has shown us that people need safe places in which to thrive, and we believe in building those spaces using sustainable materials, innovative techniques, and a local workforce. We are very proud of our building team and the thoughtful design and care for the environment we foster with every project.
“
We feel so proud of the sustainable building practices we are using in constructing these schools. I know that I will drive by the new Milembe laboratories and feel pride that we built them for the rest of my life. ELISHA JEREMIAH KAYANGE
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100% of our building materials are sourced for sustainability and purchased locally Every project begins by installing a clean, deep water well Aggregate is chipped from local boulders Bricks are fired on-site using rice husks rather than wood to avoid contributing to deforestation Carefully planned landscaping yields shade protection from the hot sun Solar power is installed whenever possible Composting latrines reduce environmental destruction and health hazards by protecting the ground water Cisterns are installed to take advantage of the long rainy season Roofs are designed to insulate against intense heat and withstand strong rains while allowing air circulation Experimenting with window designs for each project ensures that there is sufficient lighting, airflow, and protection from the elements
The architects at Scattergood Design have innovated a classroom window for Milembe Secondary School using local materials that provides an environmentally sustainable solution to several common problems at Tanzanian schools. It filters the too-bright sun that can be harmful to students’ and teachers’ eyes, permits air circulation, and protects the interior from driving rain during the rainy season. Scattergood has also designed a roof that allows maximum air circulation in this hot climate and an upper clerestory using bamboo reeds to filter bright light in the classroom. Such innovative solutions foster creative environments for students’ learning.
OUR TEAM
Local team members in front of the Ntulya Health Post
FOUNDER, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Aimée Bessire, Portland, Maine CHAIRMAN, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Carol Ann Emquies, Santa Monica, CA PROJECT MANAGER, VP COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Jefta Kishosha, Igoma, Tanzania BOARD MEMB ER S Mark Bessire, Portland, Maine Eleanor Gaver, Brooklyn, New York Nina Hogan, Hastings, New York Father Alex Mugonya, VP Regional Relations, Mwanza, Tanzania Jane Oppenheimer, Los Angeles, CA CONS T R U CT IO N Elisha Jeremiah Kayange, Foreman Mapambano Mgalila Fukuji, Foreman Amos Nyanda Sungururu, Foreman Vincent Busheni, Carpentry CONS ULT ING A R CH IT E C T S Scattergood Design: Pamela W. Hawkes and T. Scott Teas OUR PA RT NER S Go Campaign Children of Tanzania Emquies Family Foundation Misungwi District Kwimba District
JEFTA KISHOSHA
tirelessly advocates for the well-being of people in rural Tanzania. As the face of Africa Schoolhouse, project manager, and a longstanding member of Ntulya village, Kishosha opens the conversations that help identify local needs. One day purchasing cement and supplies in Mwanza town and the next meeting with local villagers or US Embassy officials, Kishosha’s versatility turns goals into reality.
Africa Schoolhouse | 1158 26th Street #427, Santa Monica, CA 90403 | info@africaschoolhouse.org