Building our new pre- and primary school location

In 2021 the Lift Them Up Foundation registered as a non-government organization and the children’s day care center opened. At the moment we care for 50+ children from 2-6 years old and provide them early childhood education. Since opening, we have rented a building in Nasholi village, Kikatiti, with only two small classrooms, two toilets, an office, a small kitchen and a fruit and vegetable garden.

We have quickly outgrown our current location and are now limited in our capacity to meet the community’s needs. Thankfully, through generous donations, we have managed to purchase a new block of land still within Nasholi village that will enable us to build a new pre-school as well as a primary school – plus continue to extend and develop other programmes that support the community.

As of July 2024, the foundations have been laid and construction of our new pre-school has begun. An organic garden have developed of which various shade and fruits trees have been planted. This marks the first phase, with the aim to continue extending and eventually build a primary school by 2027.

Why do we need a primary school?

We are committed to promoting sustainable, quality education in the Nasholi village at Kikatiti as much as possible. The new site provides room to grow and reach more disadvantaged children as well as enhance our various programmes and initiatives.

In Tanzania, public primary school education is conducted in Kiswahili, with only one English language subject available for students. However, public secondary school education is conducted entirely in English. Therefore, it is essential for children to have a high level of fluency in English by the end of their primary education to succeed at secondary school. However, many children struggle to keep up in secondary school if they cannot speak and write well in English. So, instead of falling behind and ‘wasting’ family finances, they choose not to complete their secondary education, and try, rather, to find work. But without a secondary education their employment options are severely limited. Nasholi village is no different to the rest of rural Tanzania as the community faces significant socio-economic barriers to education, personal development and financial stability. We aim to support children, youth and women in the community to overcome these barriers and to take charge of their own personal and educational development.

By developing our own primary school, we enable continuous English education from pre-school throughout primary school. It will remove the current need to find sponsorship for a child to attend an English speaking private primary school. Similarly, it solves the issue of sending a child to attend a public school that is limited to only Kiswahili.

Our goals for the new site

• To build a new pre- and primary school with a capacity for 370 children from years K1 – K3 and P1 – P 7, covering ages 2-13 years old, with improved opportunities for education, nutrition and hygiene
• To provide accessible and sustainable quality education that empowers children from vulnerable backgrounds in rural communities who cannot afford private schooling
• To host a safe space for women and youth to access economic empowerment opportunities and vocational training by learning to sew, garden, speak English as well as receive healthcare support
• To develop an improved organic garden that gives our women’s group the opportunity to learn sustainable gardening methods as well as increase our vegetable production to be used for school lunches.

Achievements as of July 2024

• We formed an implementation committee in December 2023 to oversee the construction project, meet regularly, monitor progress on behalf of stakeholders, and to keep the community updated on our progress.
• Site clearance has taken place for the pre-school section of the project (including one office) and the foundations have been laid. The remainder of the site will be cleared before construction begins for the second and third phases, reliant on further funding.
• Construction for phase 1 – the pre-school rooms and initial office – has begun in July 2024, with intentions to have the structure complete in three months.

Our phased approach to development plans

PHASE 1: February 2024 – February 2025

• Clearing of site and foundations laid.
• Construction of 1 office, staff washroom, 3 pre-school classrooms and a pre-school washroom, with running electricity
• Develop an organic garden that’s helps women and children to learn sustainable gardening methods.

PHASE 2: April 2025 – February 2026

• Clearing of site and foundations laid
• Construction of dining hall, kitchen with gas facilities, storeroom and workshop for women’s group

PHASE 3: April 2026 – October 2027

• Clearing of site and foundations laid
• Construction of 8 primary school classrooms and 4 more washrooms

What support do we need from you?

We are reliant on donations and fundraising from the local and international community to continue the next phases of construction. Unfortunately work will stop temporarily until we secure further funding.

We seek support from individuals and organizations able to provide donations or help with fundraising efforts within your network. We also welcome anyone able to volunteer their time and expertise to help further our development project, especially through engineering, gardening and trade skills. Other useful skills include proposal and grant writing that may help us secure appropriate funding opportunities.

Once the phased construction efforts are underway, future funding will focus on enhancing the school’s IT facilities, including computers and laptops to give children and youth access to using digital devices and technology.

Thank you for supporting us in uplifting children to attend our pre-school and making sure they are well-fed, loved and taken care of as they learn and play.