KiT Report June 2010

This is a short report about KiT’s sponsored kids from Simon and Venny’s stay in

Tanzania in May/June 2010.

Angela

Is in her 3rd

year of the Secondary School. KIWAKUKI (the other organization which

was supporting Angela) did not pay the money they promised (150,000/= per year) which

leaves Angela in dept in the school. Money sent by KiT was not enough to cover all the

expenses as we counted with Kiwakuki support. Simon visited KIWAKUKI, together

with Angela and they promised they will have a look at it. They say, that thanks to

Angelas changing school from state to private they have lost the track of her. (Though

through Angela we tried not this to happen …). We are still on e-mail contact with them,

following it up.

We are not satisfied with her school performance; for example, she can not make a

conversation in English, although in the school they are taught everything in English. She

is not the best student in her class. We think that this is caused by two factors:

1. The teachers and the teaching materials are not good, very complicated and

unnecessary details

2. Angela is not working hard enough, she is working hard but not good enough. We

encouraged her to work harder by showing her how.

Goal

To join a better School for A-levels in 2012

What she needs to do to achieve the goal

Every day she needs to spend at least 2hrs for private studies, repeating what she learnt at

the school. On weekends, she needs to spend at least 5hrs for personal studies.

Writing summaries of what she has studied personally (ask Pendo for examples) re-write

and read the summaries.

Ask teachers, after class, what she did not understand or what was not clear.

Ask Emma to help her with History and Kiswahili as he teaches these two subjects.

Not doing house work when she has exams.

Read simple English books.

Send all her results (progressive tests + exams) to KiT

Support

KiT will pay the fees so that she does not miss school

Emma will help with home works etc and reading materials if available

KiT and other supporters should / could send English story books or dictionaries

Motivation / reward

Angela will need to get either division 1 or 2 on her final exams (the end of next year) so

that KiT can sponsor her to join a better school for A-levels.

Michael

After sitting for his final Sec. School exams, Michael did not get good results to join A-

Levels. Reasons:

1. He was not in a good School, among 150 students who finished that year only 24

were selected to join A-Levels. However, we still believe that he should have had

been among those selected.

Michael applied for a teaching college (to become a primary school teacher). He

is still waiting for the results, whether he will be selected or not. On the other

hand, Michael prefers to repeat two years of the Secondary School, which, Simon

and Venny do not agree with for several reasons. Nevertheless and unfortunately

for him, the main reason is, that he had his chance and even if we will give him

another one, we do not believe that there will be better results.

Our advice

Michael should wait to see if the college accepts him and find out what are the

fees for this college. If there are any fees KiT can afford, we will support him,

otherwise he will be out of the project.

Kazungu

Very similar situation to Michael. Kazungu failed her final exams that are determining

successful enter to A-Levels. After seeing the results, Kazungu’s grandfather (Venny’s

father) decided to support her so that she can repeat 2years of Secondary School. So, she

is now on the 3rd

year at Kibo Secondary School where Veny’s father works as

Maintenance. Venny’s father came up to this decision because the school did not pay his

salary for 7 months. So, he agreed with the School Headmistress that Kazungu will attend

the school in return. However, we do not fully understand this arrangement.

We do not think this was the best move because Kibo is not a better School than her

previous one, Kishumundu. If she passes the exams well, it will be either luck or really

hard work.

We think, that Kazungu should be given some goals to reach. She will need to proof

herself, using the opportunity given by her grandfather. We thing that if she passes the

exams with excellent results, then KiT will support her to join a better school for A-

levels. For these two years, KiT is not responsible, until she will get her results, then she

can apply for funds from KiT

Goal

To join a better school for A-levels

What she needs to do to achieve the goal

Spend 4hrs every evening on private studies

7hrs on Wkends

Ask teachers and other students when she does not understand

Write summaries from her private studies

Speak English while in school with teachers and other students

Read English books

Motivation / reward

If Kazungu will get division 1or 2 on her final exams (in two years) the KiT will support

her to join a better A-Level

Sara

Sara had a bad behavior in school (boyfriends etc.) so she was suspended from the

school. Luckily, Angela helped her to find another school in the village where she is

living. According to Angela, Sara is working harder and appreciating the support more.

Goal

To join a better School for A-levels in 2012

What she needs to do to achieve the goal

Every day spend at least 2hrs for private studies, repeating what she learnt in the school.

On weekends, need to spend at least 5hrs for personal studies.

Writing summaries of what she has studied personally, re-write and read the summaries

Ask teachers, after class, what she did not understand or what was not clear

Not doing house work when she has exams

Read simple English books

Send all her results (progressive tests +exams) to KiT

Support

KiT will pay the fees so that she does not miss school

It will be good if KiT and other supporters send her English story books or dictionaries

Motivation / reward

Sara will need to get either division 1 or 2 on her final exams (the end of next year) so

that KiT can sponsor her to join a better school for A-levels.

Prisca

After we spoke with some KiT members, prior our visit to TZA, we agreed to research

her case/story in detail i.e. whether Prisca stayed with Angela or she was returned to her

parents/grandparents in the Masaai land. Angela said that, Prisca stayed with her as she

felt guilty to send her back as she will be taking care of cows and goats and that would be

the end of her education, so she decided to support her (somehow) as the funds for her at

this moment is not much.

So, we think it is good to keep on sponsoring Prisca for the time being (although it is a

long time project as she is still in Primary school)

Christina

This is a sad story. Christina is pregnant! Although she wants to continue with her

studies. Her plan is to deliver the child, leave it with her mother and go back to school.

We think, we should give her chance, since she has one year left for the Sec. School. If

she will pass and will be selected to join A-level (government) then we will support her

further, if not, then it will be the end.

KiT Meeting with the kids

Agenda

1. Introduction knowing each other

2. Discussion and motivating to study harder so that results can be seen

3. Methods of studying, sharing different experiences

4. Criteria for being sponsored further

During our KiT meeting, which was attended by all, except Christina and Emma, we

agreed upon the following.

1. The main motive for KiT is to see results i.e. people being selected to join A-

levels and then University. We are looking to support self motivated young

people with the desire to reach higher in their lives.

2. We will not support further to A-leves if Angela, Christina and Sara will not get

either division 1 or 2 in their next years exams.

3. Regular communication, both sides ( KiT and the kids)

4. We will support Michael if he gets the chance to join the teachers college

5. We will not support Kazungu now only if after two years she will pass to join A-

levels with either division 1 or 2.

Scanned letters from the Kids

Agenda for our next meeting.

1. Website; updated, share with people, put direction on what to do for those who

are interested to sponsor, put different ways to sponsor eg. Distance adoption, one

kid for the whole project or the system we have

2. Fund raising methods, whom to involve, how far can we go?

3. New bloods?; Selection procedures and processes

4. How are we going to be more actively in touch

5. How can we support / encourage more than money, eg sending small English

books, dictionaries etc

6. KiT accounting and other compulsories …