Support The Children At Cheti School

A little bit about Cheti School: Cheti School in Arusha, Tanzania was founded by Zuma Mtuy and provides education to children from some of the poorest families in Arusha. Cheti school is made up of 7 seperate primary and nursery schools, and also has a boys and girls orphanage. Some of the students and the majority of the orphans come from families affected by HIV aids, abusive households and abandonment. Cheti 1 to Cheti 4 teaches the students, who are aged between 4 and 6, Swahili, English, Maths and basic everyday knowledge. Cheti 5 is the largest school and here the students learn Swahili, English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, etc. Cheti 6 and 7 are still being developed. All together the Cheti Schools provide an education to around 1000 students, that supersedes that of government schools. The students at the primary schools are given the opportunity to sit the national Tanzanian exams that they need to complete in order to seek higher levels of education, if they are fortunate enough to access it. At the very least, Cheti School, Zuma (the director) and all of the teachers provide these kids with an education, 1 cup of porridge a day and an environment in which their happiness, passions, love for learning and dreams are able to thrive! Why support the children at Cheti School? For kids that have virtually nothing, they are some of the happiest and nicest people I’ve ever met! As a msungu (white person) in Africa, you’re constantly asked for things, especially money. However, since arriving at Cheti School, I haven’t been asked by the kids or teachers for anything, only my time and love for the children and schools, and help when they need to sharpen their pencil (with a knife as there wasn’t any sharpeners on my first day). These children and the school are honestly the most deserving of the support and resources money can provide. In just the week that I’ve been here, 2 fathers have unfortunately passed away, leaving 2 brothers and 2 sisters behind. Eric, one of the brothers, told me how he loves to learn about physics, biology and maths and that one day he hopes to be an engineer or doctor so that he can help people. It’s devastating when something like this happens as it is usually the father who provides most of the family’s income and subsequently, the money needed to pay for the children’s school fees. Now, these 4 kids will be unable to attend school until they are able to get enough money to partially pay some of their school fees. For the whole year, one child’s school fees to attend Cheti School is approximately $300USD. However because of the abject poverty most families live in, they can’t afford this so their children don’t get a year round education. How much to donate? Honestly, any amount of money would be amazing and make a difference at this school! To give you an idea of how much just a little bit of money can buy: 5,000sh is approximately $2.50AUD/$2USD and at the local market a pack of 12 pencils cost around 800sh and an eraser costs 300sh. With $5, I could buy enough food and clean water to support a family for about a month or more! The schools are in constant needs of supplies, such as pencils, rulers, erasers, pencil sharpeners, books, text books etc. In just the classroom I’ve been teaching in, there are 30 students and only 5 rulers, 3 pieces of rubber (a whole rubber is a luxury) and no spare pencils to go around. So any small donation would help to buy these necessary supplies. In the past, funds raised by volunteers have helped by land to expand the schools, build classrooms, purchase sports equipment or resources for physics and chemistry labs (opening at Cheti 5 in November!!)! More importantly though are the kids like Eric, who are in desperate need of sponsorship in order to finish the school year and then to continue getting an education next year! If you’re willing or able to donate the funds to sponsor a child a Cheti school that would be amazing! Please contact me if you’d like to do so, as I have more information about the kids that need sponsoring. No matter what you donate, or even if you just spread the word, you’re going to be changing the lives of the most amazing children who will be forever grateful for your love and support. Asante Sana!! (Thank you very much)