PROJECT-SUPPORT TANZANIA

Country / Location

Tanzania, Kisimiri

Tanzania is a country in East Africa. It lies on the Indian Ocean and borders Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. With almost 70 million inhabitants, the country is the fifth most populous in Africa. The capital is Dodoma; however, the largest city is the coastal city of Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania is divided into 31 regions, one of which is Arusha. Kisimiri is located in the Arumeru District, which belongs to the Arusha Region. Kisimiri lies at the foot of Mount Meru, north of the well-known Arusha National Park.

General

The Association Friends of Kisimiri understands education as the key to a better life and considers the promotion of school and vocational education to be perhaps the most fundamental and sustainable form of development cooperation and support towards self-help. By supporting schools, the association makes a central contribution to the common good, as education benefits not only individual children but strengthens and stabilises entire communities in the long term.

All projects are coordinated and monitored by trusted representatives on site. They report regularly on the progress of the work and keep records of all financial transactions and material deliveries. The aid projects are developed exclusively in cooperation with the responsible school authorities and are fully supported by them.

Beneficiaries

At the time the association was founded in 1996, there was only one primary school in Kisimiri with two rudimentary huts serving as classrooms. Stones were used both as seats and as desks. A piece of cardboard served as a blackboard. This primary school was the first to be expanded. Four brick-built classrooms with corrugated metal roofs were constructed, a water supply was installed, and further buildings followed.

Subsequently, a secondary school was built in stages, with various classrooms, an administration building, accommodation for pupils and teachers, as well as laboratories. Most recently, a high school (secondary school) was established, which is attended by students from all over the country. Kisimiri High School has already ranked twice on first place in the nationwide examinations. This is all the more remarkable given that Kisimiri is the only state school among the top schools in the country.

In addition, Friends of Kisimiri has enabled important infrastructure at two other secondary schools in the area: in Momella, four houses for teachers and two dormitories for girls and boys; in Uwiro, an assembly hall.  

All supported projects are based on active participation and integration of the local population. In this way, the available financial resources can be used most efficiently. At the same time, the shared commitment increases the motivation of local residents for education in general. 

Project-Support

Project: Construction of a semi-detached house for staff

Since 2022, the association has focused on the construction of a vocational training centre. A bricklaying workshop, two classrooms, accommodation for teachers, two dormitories for students, and a toilet facility, have already been completed. The vocational school provides up to 160 sleeping places.

The centre creates realistic educational prospects for young people without an academic pathway. Adults are also given a second chance. In this way, equal opportunities and self-determination are promoted, making a direct contribution to economic development throughout the entire region.

The construction of the semi-detached house will ensure the necessary supervision and support for trainees staying overnight on campus. The new building will be erected on the grounds of the Kisimiri Vocational School. The construction period is planned from December 2025 to spring 2026.