Learning means a lot to the community of Shambarai, in Tanzania. Leah is Head Teacher at the local Jitegimee Primary School. She loves working with young children and has a good rapport with the other teachers.

Despite this, the path to education has not always been an easy one for the community. Leah has been teaching for over 13 years and has seen many welcome changes at the school in this time.

A helping hand

When World Vision first arrived in Shambarai in 1996, Jitegimee Primary School was under-equipped and overcrowded. There weren’t enough schoolbooks and desks to go around, classes were overflowing and clean drinking water was not available.

A World Vision Area Development Program was set up in Shambarai. Supported by Australian child sponsors, over the next 15 years a number of long-term development activities were carried out; with improved education for children one of the top priorities.

Learning for life

Thanks to sponsorship, extra classrooms have been built and more teachers trained; reducing class size and giving children more opportunities to learn.

Schools are now better equipped with schoolbooks, desks, sporting equipment and exam materials. Water and sanitation facilities were also installed, providing children with clean drinking water.

School performance has improved dramatically. Recently, Jitegimee Primary School placed fourth out of 70 schools in the region for high academic performance.

“I feel so proud when my school performs well” says Leah. She says people stop her in the street to congratulate her on the school’s performance.

Thank you

Long-term development activities have paid off; Shambarai is now self-sufficient and the children no longer need sponsoring.

However the support and generosity of the Australian sponsors will never be forgotten and Leah extends warm and sincere thanks on behalf of the community:

“We are thankful to the sponsors ... [we have been] taken from the darkness to the light.”