Against All Odds — A Spectacular School for Girls Just Opened in Rural Tanzania
A Photo Tour of Dedication Day at the Kitenga School for Girls
Building a school in Kitenga, an extremely rural part of Tanzania where early marriage and excision are prevalent, was a dream penned three decades ago by the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa. The Sisters themselves are known throughout the country for founding and running some of Tanzania’s best schools, as well as for their dedication to girls education and fighting excision.
Three years ago IHSA partnered with Girls Education Collaborative to raise the remaining funds to build the Library, Science Center and Teachers’ houses, as well as providing the necessary logistics for the School to open. It’s been a widely successful partnership which led to an inaugural class of 59 girls attending since January 2017, and an official opening of the Kitenga School for Girls on May 24 — in spectacular fashion! It was an emotional day for many, especially for the students whose eagerness to learn and follow their own dream is everything.
Follow this day of celebration in photos:
Choir and Mass — the day stated around 10:00am with a Mass. A choir from the nearby town of Utegi came to sing which instantly put every attendee in a joyful mood! (Above)
Cutting the ribbon — around midday the Kitenga School for Girls was officially inaugurated and the ribbon was cut by Sister Bernadette, the school nurse (below).
Blessing the School — Immediately after, the priests, Sisters and all attendees then proceeded to visit each building to bless the school: science center, library, dormitory, classrooms and teachers houses.
Student demos! The girls whose school year started a few months earlier, demonstrated their knowledge through several subjects: Physics, Biology, Geography and Chemistry. The girls’ eagerness to demonstrate their talent and knowledge was palpable: they had been preparing for weeks and everyone was really impressed! The Chemistry student even demonstrated a water cleaning system, Untapped Shores, they had just been introduced to the day prior by Hannah, a visitor from USA (below, left).
Lunch time! A delicious Tanzanian food buffet was serves, which reminded our visitors of the Taste of Tanzania dinner back in Buffalo, NY.
Dances and live performances — the girls performed a whole series of dances, songs, aerobics and even a theatre piece on the devastating effects of circumcision (read more below). The girls made a point in performing songs and dances advocating for women’s rights and education for all.
A play on the dangers of circumcision — directed by the Girls
All attendees were all blown away by the honesty: the girls spoke without taboo, representing a husband mistreating his wife, favoring his son and forcing his girls to be circumcised after consulting the village elders, even as his wife begs him not to.
The students also played out the actual circumcision ritual, which resulted in a young girl dying. Two girls eventually escape from their father during the night with the help from their mother, and take refuge with the Sisters’ who offer them an education.
Years later, once the girls have graduated and gained their independence, they return to see their family — they made a point in demonstrating how they have surpassed their brother. A bright future awaits them!
Speeches — the Head of School Sister Anne-Marie, and Mother General Sister Lucie made speeches, thanking all who have contributed to the School, including donors and GEC. Sister Lucie was heard saying twice in her speech “When you educate a girl, you educate a whole family.”
Anne, GEC Director, gave a speech too and surprise, in Swahili! There was a beautiful part where she directly talked to all the girls who were sitting beside her.
The day was truly one I will never forget. An incredible moment for The Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa, Girls Education Collaborative, and most especially, for these amazing 59 girls. Asante Sana!
“There’s nothing a girl can’t do.” ~ Girls Education Collaborative
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