Education in Tanzania - Leah

Education is in Tanzania is very different than in the US.  Everyone is entitled to a "free education" until 7th grade.  At 7th grade there is a national test that you have to pass in order to go onto more school.   Many students do not pass this test and there is no retest so that would be the end of their education.
One reason that students do not pass is that many areas do no value education..  Many of the small villages farther from the cities have education that is very sub par.  They either don't have good teachers or students have to miss a lot of school to take care of family or household duties.
The other reason that many don't pass the test is that even in the cities the 'free' schools are awful. Some of them have 70 students in a class and are falling down around students.  The teachers at these schools also are not of the highest caliber, but even those that are can be overwhelmed.
Most people who have the means send their kids to a private school.  Private schools can be either really good or adequate.  Most kids that go to private school can pass the 7th grade tests.
If people do not pass the test there is very little for them to actually do.  Most families cannot afford to have kids at home waiting for marriage so many of the girls from rural areas become House Girls.  These are girls that work in homes of people in exchange for a home and food. Sometimes they get a small stipend, but many times don't.  These girls are in charge of cleaning, childcare and cooking.  They work very hard from early morning to late night.  There are many stories of some of these girls coming back to their villages pregnant and end up being shunned by the tribe.  Boys who do not pass end up often pulling big carts of merchandise from place to place.  It is very exhausting work and pays very little.
The school I am teaching at is a private school but costs much less than most.  The students mostly live at the school during the week since it is in the middle of nowhere. When I first started teaching I was in the newer building (the one currently being built). It has dirt floors, only some windows, plastic lawn furniture and no desks. There is no electricity (ie no computer and projector).  I was told we could have electricity, then found out it costs about $10 for 2 hours to run the generator.  Have to use it sparingly. The white board is very old and is pealing into layers.  It has rusty edges and they have attached it to the stone wall with nails through it.

Elizabeth and Irene in front of the new building

My first classroom

Elizabeth and Irene in the window with Mt. Meru in the background

This week I am in the older building that has a real floor and windows (at least the ones that are not broken). The white board is painted onto a concrete wall with some paint that was acquired by Hope 2 Others. This classroom has desks and plastic lawn furniture also.  The chairs have to be stacked to actually reach the desks and to make a full chair as many of them are missing legs or arms.

Whiteboard paint on walls

Chairs stacked to make one full chair

The students I have in the class are amazing.  They all have notebooks (most of which have been used before this class for something) and pens. That is it. There are no computers and no books except for the ones I had gotten donated.   Each night they pass the books around and take home different ones to read whatever they can get through.  There are 3 students actually from the school.  They are very bright and want careers in medicine.  The school is out this week so they actually have to get themselves to the school everyday on their own.  One of these students has to walk 10K each way to come to my classes.  He is Massai and thankfully his family supports his getting an education because he is very bright.  There are 7 students that have graduated from school and want medicine careers (several of theses are family members of the New Life Band that supports the school) The final student is actually the schools biology instructor.  He has talked to me and really sees a future for himself in the Lab.  They are all very attentive and can answer most of my questions.  They are also very quiet. I am working very hard to get them to come out of their shells a bit.

Labeling parts of the Urinary System

Actually taking notes (I am not use to that)

Jackson walks over 10K each way everyday to attend school.  (He is finally making eye contact and saying hello and goodbye every day)

Taking a break from the classroom

One challenge I have had is that our students come to our classes having seen a red blood cell somewhere. They have heard the work hematocrit, they have a basic understanding of a vaccination.  These students do not so I will be talking and realize that they have no idea what I am talking about.  I sometimes will be talking and realize I need to take a few step backward to work them up to where I am at.  Sometimes that can be hard because it has been so long since I have actually taken the classes and I have never actually taught them so that I have to figure out how to explain it.

Another challenge is trying to get lab equipment. I had a lot donated before I came and thought I would have most of what I needed.  When I got here I realized that I needed a few things so I have them ordered.  I have to order from Dar es Salaam and have them shipped her which shouldn't be bad, however when we placed the order for about 16 things only 4 of them were in and of the 4, two were not what I had ordered.  I can't teach phlebotomy which is a skill that they really want because I do not have tourniquets or sharps containers.  We did do some capillary sticks.  We didn't have any tubes to collect in so we just did direct smears.  They did great!  I had them try 2 each and most of them got at least 2 decent ones.  They are now in a box to stain and use next week when we have class in the office in the city and have electricity.

Capillary punctures (note our Pringles can as our sharps disposal - do not try this at home)

One great thing about being out at the school is that we are right by cell towers so my phone works great and my internet is really fast!