Tanzania Archives - Camara Education

Empowering Change: WAGE’s (Women Advocating for Girls’ Empowerment) Journey in Tanzania

November 11, 2024

by Sean Miskelly Camara School Sponsorship & Support Tanzania Youth Skills & Development

Wage Group Visit

This past February 2024, a dynamic group of nine women from England and Ireland embarked on an unforgettable fundraising journey to Tanzania. WAGE (Women Advocating for Girls’ Empowerment) was a passionate initiative devoted to enhancing educational resources for girls in Tanzania. United by a shared vision, hailing from Ireland and England, they brought together their mix of talents and backgrounds—from healthcare professionals to savvy businesswomen and finance experts, from seasoned professionals still navigating corporate careers to others bravely stepping into new chapters, ready to channel their energy into meaningful change. Regardless of background, they were united by a fiery commitment to help those less fortunate, especially girls denied educational opportunities they themselves had been fortunate enough to receive.

With a clear focus on bridging the digital divide in Tanzanian schools, WAGE set their sights on establishing fully functional Digital Learning Centres (DLCs) in six schools across the country. They teamed up with Camara Education, our charity renowned for transforming lives through technology since 2005, to gather ideas for fundraising and identify schools where their contribution would be most meaningful. Their goal was ambitious: to co-fund a DLC for each school. As the days drew close, their enthusiasm was infectious, with fundraising activities ranging from drama and music nights to poetry readings and contributions from their own pockets. Their campaign became creative, compelling, and, best of all, successful.

Their much-anticipated trip to Tanzania was not just a chance to visit the schools; it was an opportunity to connect with the students and teachers whose lives they aimed to change. It was also a chance for the group to meet each other in person, many for the first time.

Aboud Jumbe Secondary School: A Success Story

One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to Aboud Jumbe Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, the school sponsored by Alison. The official opening of the new computer lab was an emotional event, marked by the presence of the local mayor, who joined in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local TV crews captured the moment as students proudly showcased their cultural heritage with traditional dance performances. Irish and English singing and dancing joined in spontaneously, creating a beautiful cultural blend.

This ceremony was a powerful realisation of the impact WAGE had made; months of fundraising had transformed into tangible results. The sight of students eager to learn in their new digital space was deeply moving. Since the establishment of the lab, Aboud Jumbe has seen a dramatic increase in Information and Communication Studies (ICS) enrollment, soaring from just 5 students to 373. This surge underscores the newfound interest and accessibility for digital education, which had previously been severely limited. Additionally, 35 teachers, including 19 female educators, received training in digital literacy, further promoting gender equity in education and technology.

The WAGE impact rippled across the five other schools due to receiving DLCs. Improved access to computers and digital learning materials means these schools are now better equipped to impart essential skills, fostering a generation of students ready to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

A Cultural Exchange Through Music

The spirit of collaboration didn’t end with the computer labs. WAGE’s talented (and less talented but eager) musicians, led by Louise, brought an extra layer of excitement to the trip, blending their musical talents with those of Tanzanian students and teachers. In a lively exchange, they mixed song and dance, exploring common ground through music. They played the piano, danced traditional reels, and even sang “Molly Malone” and “Jingle Bells”—creating a joyful atmosphere of camaraderie. This vibrant cultural exchange highlighted the universal language of music and the bonds it can create.

Beyond the Work

However, the trip to Tanzania was not solely focused on work; the group also seized the opportunity to explore the country’s breathtaking natural beauty. They embarked on a well-organised safari, immersing themselves in the vibrant wildlife by day and unwinding in cosy tents at night. This adventure offered a well-deserved break and allowed them to bond further, deepening their connection to both the cause and the stunning land they were supporting.

Some members even extended their travels, with a few departing for the idyllic beaches of Zanzibar, while others headed off to Zambia and Malawi for further teaching and training opportunities, or simply to relax and reflect on their experiences. Meanwhile, others returned home, ready to continue their commitments, enriched by the journey.

Conclusion

WAGE’s efforts, alongside the collaboration with Camara Education, will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on students and teachers across Tanzania. Camara continues to transform lives by bridging the digital divide and empowering a new generation with essential digital skills. This project stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the profound difference dedicated individuals can make in communities around the world. The spirit of WAGE and their adventure will echo in the hearts of those they have touched, leaving a legacy of hope and empowerment for years to come.

It was truly an honour for them to be part of WAGE, as the experience of fundraising, planning, and witnessing the joy that hope brings to young girls has transformed each member in ways they will carry with them forever.

Thank you, Camara Education, for the opportunity to make a difference.

From Louise Burke, Alison Dunne, Avril Dwyer, Dara Lynch, Fiona McNicholas, Maura O’Donnell, Ellen O’Sullivan, Orla Sheehan & Ann Tobin

Thank you on behalf of Camara Education

On behalf of Camara Education, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Women Advocating for Girls’ Empowerment (WAGE) group for their extraordinary dedication and impactful fundraising efforts in Tanzania. Your commitment to enhancing educational resources for girls has resulted in the establishment of Digital Learning Centres in six schools, empowering countless students and teachers with vital digital skills. Thank you for your passion, creativity, and collaborative spirit; you have inspired a generation and left a lasting legacy and empowerment in the communities you touched. Together, we are transforming lives through education, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.

When passionate people come together with a shared vision, remarkable things happen. If you’re inspired by this story and want to be part of empowering real change, see how you can support below…

New Computer Lab Launched at Endevesi Secondary School, Arusha

October 2, 2024

by Sean Miskelly Tanzania

We’re excited to share the news of a transformative project at Endevesi Secondary School, nestled in a remote part of Maasai land, 30 km from Arusha town. Thanks to the incredible support of Helios Towers Tanzania and Camara Education Tanzania, we’ve successfully launched a fully equipped computer lab with 26 computers, opening up a world of digital possibilities for the school’s 535 students and 20 teachers.

In areas like Maasai land, access to technology is often limited, with many students encountering a computer for the very first time. Naresha Ole Mollel, a student at Endevesi, shared her excitement: “This computer lab has opened up new possibilities for me. Before, I never had the chance to use a computer, but now I can learn and explore so much. It makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger.”

This initiative is more than just about access to computers. It’s about empowering a new generation of students with essential ICT skills that will open doors to better educational outcomes and greater employment opportunities. We’re working to bridge the digital divide in rural and underserved communities, ensuring that students in remote regions aren’t left behind in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.

The Endevesi Secondary School project marks a significant milestone for the region. By integrating digital learning into the school curriculum, we’re giving both students and teachers the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. With this, we aim to inspire a ripple effect of positive change, not only within the school but across the entire Maasai community.

We’re incredibly proud of the difference this project is already making, and we look forward to seeing the long-term impact it will have on the lives of these young learners. This lab is just one step in our broader mission to support digital education across Tanzania and beyond, but it’s a vital one.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen. Together, we are shaping brighter futures, one computer at a time.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders:

July 12, 2024

by johnfisher Camara Computer maintenance ICT Kenya Sustainability & Green ICT Tanzania Youth Skills & Development

Celebrating World Youth Skills Day with Camara Education

World Youth Skills Day was founded to celebrate the importance of providing young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. At Camara, we believe that equipping youth with digital skills and knowledge is central to unlocking their full potential and driving positive change in their communities. It is at the heart of everything we do, but exemplified in particular by two programmes: our internships in Kenya, and our Youth Digital Skills course in Tanzania.

Internships in Kenya

Camara Kenya’s Internship programme is a 3-month course designed to equip participants with hands-on ICT skills in a real- world work environment. The initiative attracts students in various IT disciplines from universities and colleges across the country. The participants are based in our Mombasa Hub for day-to-day training and also undertake fieldwork activities in our local schools. The programme has supported almost 600 students to date, 40 of them in 2023.

By the end of the course, students have mastered vital skills including network setup and configuration, software installation & administration, and PC/laptop troubleshooting and repair. They are also taught soft skills such as marketing and how to conduct themselves in the workplace. These in-demand techniques place them ahead of the competition in the job market and help them explore opportunities for self-employment.

Tanzania – YDS

Camara Tanzania recently completed a successful pilot of its Youth Digital Skills As a result, 12 youths have been equipped with the essential digital skills needed in today’s workplace. The programme offered new opportunities for individuals in Dar es Salaam who had previously faced challenges in accessing education or employment.

Among the participants, six have already secured direct employment opportunities with national companies, while others have embraced freelancing as a livelihood. We are thrilled with the outcome of this pilot project and hope to roll out an even better version in the future, based on what we have learnt.

Graduate Testimonies

21-year-old Janeth George successfully completed the YDS course in Tanzania, and it has literally changed her life:

“Thanks to the Youth Digital Skills Program, I am now employed by Dospects Studio. My family believed in marriage, and I struggled to break free from that expectation due to financial dependence on them. But now, after completing the programme, I have gained employable skills and managed to get work. Many thanks to Camara Education, Tanzania.”

Everlyne Mkabili is currently interning with Camara Kenya:

“I am a student from Kenya Coast National Polytechnic pursuing a Diploma in Information Communication Technology. I am currently enrolled as an intern at Camara Education Kenya, a charity that provides computers, teacher training, and innovative learning programs to schools across Africa.

I came to know Camara through a teacher at Ribe Girl’s High School – I received three offers of attachments but the teacher advised me to select Camara since it was the best.

From the very start of the attachment, the learning environment has been friendly and understanding and the skills I have learned so far are top-notch. Among other things, I have learned how to dismantle and assemble all the external and internal parts of a PC; how to install various operating systems to different PCs; how to troubleshoot by running diagnostics; and how to make storage devices bootable.

With these few but important skills, I have been able to help a computer teacher at Ribe Girls’ High School solve a problem with one of his computers that had stopped working (the computer was not powering on, and if it was powering on, there was no display). I gave a solution to this scenario by asking him to remove the PC RAM sticks and clean them, as well as the RAM slots. I also asked him to check the power cable supplying power to the motherboard. After a few minutes, I received feedback from the same teacher, who happily explained to me that the directives I gave him worked successfully.

As we continue with this program, my hope is to gain more skills so that I can use them to build my future career as an IT Support Specialist.”

Irene Gabriel is a Graphic Design graduate of the YDS Program in Tanzania. She said:

“Before starting the training, I aspired to be a soldier, but that path wasn’t accessible. This program became a way for me to acquire additional skills. Now, my ambition is to excel as a graphics designer, leveraging the skills I’ve obtained.”

Kelvin Kirimi Mutuma, a former student at the Star Institute of Professionals, completed Camara Kenya’s internship programme in 2022 and is currently working at Erido Computer Solutions in Mombasa. He said:

“I was born and raised in the outskirts of Mombasa, in a place called Meru, 27 years ago. Growing up in a humble background, my parents did just enough to provide shelter and basic education. It never crossed my mind that one day I would be among the best technicians in the city.

My journey as a technician started in 2022 after completing my Diploma in ICT and CISCO Networking course at Star Institute of Professionals. At the end of my course, I heard about Internship programs at Camara Education Kenya and decided to join. Looking back, I am glad I made the decision – this is where I expanded my knowledge base and garnered experience, which has proved to be invaluable. The team of experts at Camara Kenya is more than willing to help young men and women cross the gap between school graduation and the job market.

Camara Education Kenya equips interns with skills to navigate the job market. While interning at Camara, I had the opportunity to put into practice what I had learned in school. I did all this without the fear of making mistakes since the experts at Camara encouraged us not to fear mistakes but instead to embrace and learn from them. The trainers at Camara allowed us to tag along for field work. The number of trips I made to schools within Mombasa County for computer maintenance and networking is countless. This exposure has jumpstarted my career as a networking and computer technician at Erido Computer Solutions.

At Erido, I have undertaken different roles including computer repair, CCTV installation and maintenance, as well as being a sales agent. All this is a result of the interpersonal skills I gained from Camara Education Kenya, which have enabled me to navigate the job market efficiently.

Today, I pride myself on being among the best computer and networking technicians, courtesy of Camara Education Kenya. Thank you, Camara, for the opportunity to train with you and help kickstart my career.”

Empowering Girls’ Education in Tanzania: A Visit from WAGE

April 22, 2024

by John Fisher Girls' education School Sponsorship & Support Tanzania

Camara Tanzania was honoured to host a group of remarkable ladies from Ireland in February. These ten inspiring women formed a group that they called WAGE (Women Advocating for Girls’ Education), dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for girls in Tanzania through Edtech.

During their visit, the WAGE group immersed themselves in the vibrant educational landscape of Tanzania, engaging directly with students and teachers. Their journey took them to several schools across the country, where they witnessed first-hand the impact of their support and shared valuable insights on the importance of girls’ education.

In Dar es Salaam, they visited Jamhuri Secondary School, Uhamiaji Secondary and Aboud Jumbe Secondary School, where students and staff warmly welcomed them. The exchange of experiences and perspectives was enriching, highlighting the transformative power of education in shaping young minds.

In Arusha, the WAGE group had a memorable experience at Arusha Secondary School, engaging in meaningful discussions with students about their educational journeys and aspirations. The interactions underscored the critical role of mentorship and support in empowering girls to fulfil their potential.

WAGE’s commitment to supporting girls’ education in Tanzania has been invaluable. Through their fundraising efforts, they have contributed to advancing educational opportunities in ten schools and their focus on girls’ education reflects a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that hinder girls’ access to quality education and the urgent need for collective action to address them.

As we reflect on the visit of WAGE we kindly invite other individuals to join this initiative and fund schools. We can assist with fundraising, and if you can visit us in Tanzania, our local team will help to organise the entire trip, including a rest and recreation trip to Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Mt Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar. Contact us at tanzania@camara.org.

Partnership with Helios Towers

October 20, 2023

by johnfisher Partnerships Tanzania

Helios Towers is a leading multinational independent telecommunications infrastructure company, focused on driving the growth of mobile communications across Africa and the Middle East. As the leading independent towerco in Tanzania, Helios Towers Tanzania supports mobile operators as they expand their coverage across the country.

Last year, Helios Towers Tanzania donated computers and funded Camara Education Tanzania to set up an eLearning Centre at Kurasini Secondary School in Dar es Salaam. The success of that project has led Helios to commit to supporting at least one more school a year in the future: the centre at Mkwajuni Secondary School in Zanzibar was completed in time for the new school year in September 2023; a centre at Mzumbe Secondary School in Morogoro region will become operational later this year.

As ever, Camara’s contribution involved much more than installing the networked computer lab – at Mkwajuni we provided a broad range of locally-appropriate learning materials and conducted an intensive 5-day training program for school leaders, teachers and students. This training initiative was a transformative experience, equipping a total of 27 dedicated teachers and 7 school leaders with the skills necessary to effectively manage their classrooms, create educational materials and confidently navigate the digital realm. 45 students also took part, learning how to leverage computers to enhance their learning, acquire essential digital skills, and explore the endless possibilities offered by the digital age. These skills will be passed on to their peers.

The grand unveiling of the computer lab at Mkwajuni school was graced by the presence of Tom Greenwood, Group Chief Executive of Helios Towers, and the Head of the ICT Training Department from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar, Sadiq Makanyaga.

*Tom Greenwood, Group CEO of Helios Towers, speaking at the launch*

Tom Greenwood delivered an inspiring message to the students, encouraging them to embrace a lifelong journey of learning and to dare to dream big. He underlined that their potential was boundless, with the power to become engineers, doctors, athletes, or anything they aspired to be. Furthermore, he urged them to harness these computers as tools for their personal growth and transformation.

In a parallel context, Sadiq Makanyaga, Head of the ICT Training Department, emphasized the pivotal role of teachers in ushering in this educational transformation. He pledged continued support and ongoing training for educators to streamline and enhance the teaching process. Mr Makanyaga expressed a strong desire for teachers to shift away from traditional teaching aids such as blackboards and chalk, noting the success of smart classrooms in many other countries.

And this is what a couple of the students at Helios schools had to say:

“Experiencing a computer for the first time was like stepping into a whole new world. I had never touched a computer before, and to be honest, I was a bit nervous. But the teachers and Camara Team guided us patiently, showing us how to navigate the system and use basic applications. As I started exploring, I was amazed by the vast amount of information and learning resources available. The computer became a window to a world of knowledge that I had never seen before. It opened my eyes to new possibilities, and I’m excited to continue learning and exploring with this incredible tool”

Mwanaidi Othumani

“Receiving the computers has changed the way I approach learning and problem-solving. Before, I struggled with accessing the latest information for my science and history projects, but now, I feel more confident and informed. Computers have opened up a world of knowledge that has inspired me to delve deeper into various subjects and expand my horizons.

James Liwale

We Made It!

September 15, 2023

by johnfisher London to Brighton Tanzania

Camara’s team of riders all successfully completed the challenging London to Brighton bike ride last weekend – making it up the fearsome Ditchling Beacon at the end. We also smashed our fundraising target, so will be installing an eLearning Centre at Mazinde Day School in the small town of Mazinde, Tanzania, and providing training and support to the school for four years.

There’s still plenty of work to do there and elsewhere, though, so it’s not too late to show your apprecation for our riders by sponsoring their efforts here.

Kurasini School sponsorship

February 8, 2023

by johnfisher Partnerships Tanzania

We’ve recently completed an eLearning centre installation at Kurasini Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The work was carried out thanks to Helios Towers Tanzania, who provided computers along with funding to cover the renovation of the room, networking, teacher training and other project activities. Kurasini is one of the schools where Helios has installed a telecom tower, serving several of its clients in Tanzania.

The centre was officially opened on November 25th 2022 by Helios Tower Tanzania’s managing director, Gwakisa Stadi, along with Anna Marika, representative of the district executive director. Camara trained 38 teachers for five days and provided ICT awareness training for 120 students.

From the beginning of this term, students at the school have had Computer and Information Studies available to them as part of their curriculum.

Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company, focused on driving the growth of mobile communications across Africa and the Middle East. Their principal business is building, acquiring and operating telecommunications towers that can accommodate and power the needs of the regions’ major mobile network operators. As the leading independent towerco in Tanzania, Helios Towers supports mobile operators as they expand their coverage across the country.

These are some of the steps involed in putting the centre together: