V_Town

We'll be taking a safari for two weeks in July (2006). We would like to visit a government secondary school in or around Arusha, with the possibility of laying groundwork for a sister school relationship with a technology high school in California. It would be most suitable if the secondary school has, or might have in the near future, a computer center and internet presence. We know that technology is sadly lacking in most government schools, but we know some progress is being made, and that the Gates Foundaton is giving grants in Tanzania.

We have many inquiries out, but no actionable responses yet. Does anyone have any advice, guidance or contacts?

TIA

BonnieN

don't know what the Gates Foundation is doing in Tanzania, but when we were there a few years ago, the schools we say were very primitive, although the staff was incredibly hard working with little infrastructure. we did not see secondary schools, but would expect that they are all private schools which are not expensive by US standards, are out of range for most local people, at least those not involved in tourism.
good luck with your project -- I am sure any school would love a relationship.
Bonnie

ShayTay

Who is your ground operator for the safari? They should be in a position to find a secondary school for you.

Queenie

You may want to check this NGO:

www.terrawatu.org

They have done similar exchanges with Seattle schools and rural schools outside of Arusha. I know they even did a teacher exchange one year.

I do know the directors; this is a legitimate enterprise. I am sure if you email Tanya Pergula there she will be able to assist.

Good luck with this meaningful project.

Matt_from_England

V Town,

When I spent a day touring Arusha with a friend we went to St. Theresa's Cathedral, HQ of the Archdiocese of Arusha. Now I am not Catholic nor religious but got a lot out of meeting the nuns and bishop. They have various schools of which one we saw. It seemed well run but perhaps the students there were from wealthier backgrounds? In contrast the schools out in the wilds are much more basic with few facilities. What they cry out for is donations of pens and pencils, writing paper, English grammar books to teach English, (the 2nd language after Swahili). I have a young Maasai friend who I write to and will visit in September - I will then be taking out supplies myself and perhaps in 2007 do a longer stint volunteering to teach english.

I am happy someone wants to help in this way and your intentions are good of course. but also think about some of the rural schools where even twenty dollars makes a huge difference.

I'd like to hear more about your plans.

My best regards

Matt

V_Town

BonnieN.

There are a number of government secondary schools. My impression is, though, that you send your kid to private school if you can. thanks fir the encouragement.

V_Town

ShayTay

The tour operator has tried to help, but our request has a lot of complexities. Thanks for the response.

V_Town

Queenie,

Thanks for the link. I can't figure out why my search parameters never turned them up. It's very impressive. I have emailed them, although to "info", not Ms Pergula, as I wasn't sure how to format an address for her. I hope to hear any comments or advice back from them soon. Time for me to schedule our post safari time is running out.

Thanks again.

V_Town

Matt from England,

You raise a serious point. Equity issues in schools, particularly in technology, are very difficult to address even in wealthy countries. My wife's high school, in the poorest, toughest part of our city is a public, charter school. As an experiment in school reform, it has a computer on every desk in every classroom and a digital curriculum. The plain public school literally across the street has virtually nothing in comparison and represents most of the horror stories you've ever heard of inner city urban schools.

I don't have any good equity solutions (except massive amounts of money for education everywhere, and that presents its own set of problems).

I'm hoping that a sister school relationship that will enable frequent, almost instantaneous communication across the internet will keep the American students focussed and more willing to see the African connection as more than a one-time project or, even worse, a charity.

I understand your concern for the poorer rural schools. My wife and I have talked about that situation, as well as the equally deserving organizations that are rescuing street children (life comes even before education). I don't know what we'll do yet, in addition to pursuing the sister school thing, but it will probably involve conscience money.

Thank you for your reply.

bat

Queenie:
That is a good referral--looks like what V Town needs. For others, take a look at the site--you can sponsor children's education.

V_Town

Bat,

I see you found me on this thread. Thank you for your response on the D.C. passport thread. I hadn't had time to respond there yet.

If I still have your attention, though, I'd like to ask two additional questions of you.

We (and other chaperones, thank God) are flying my wife's senior history/civics students to D.C. in two weeks. I was going to take our passports along and stop by the Tanzanian Embassy for visas while there. Are visas issued in February still good in July?

Second, on another entirely different thread, I think it was you who was going to attend a session of the War Crimes trial in Arusha. If so, how does one arrange that. My wife decided last night that would be an extremely good experience to bring back to her students next year.

Thanks in advance for any response.

bat

Hi V-Town I posted separately on those other 2 threads. They will be at the top if you look soon. Otherwise, here they are
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...=5&start=0

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...10&start=0