Hello Girl Fearless!
This week I've been thinking a lot about chances and education.
I thought before I came to Tanzania, that education opened doors. That dreams can be discovered and goals can be accomplished through education. While this is partially true - I realized it really only opens one door and there is really only one option.
Although the classes are prevalent in Arusha, there is extreme poverty amidst an upper class system. They wear business-like suits and live in houses with more than one room. I suppose in degrees the class system is relatively the same everywhere in that regard.
I'm learning about the numerous barriers that exist and for the majority of these students education is not one way out of their extreme poverty stricken life - it is the only way out.
They can't accidentally strike it big and win the lotto, they can't become mega-rap stars overnight or play for the Knicks.
With that in mind, I find it hard not to be tough with these borderline malnutritioned children. It's frustrating to see students do poorly in school. These kids are excited to come to school, they are *thank god* taught to appreciate education and to some level, understand the value.
I met a boy the other day walking along the road, I forgot his name, but our conversation made an impression on me. I asked him if he wants to go to college and said he should try to go in the states. He said "yes, this is one of my dreams. " He was almost done with secondary school and was just scared and unsure of how to afford the visa and make that possible. I told him there are ways to make it work. he should then come back and help others in his own country. He nodded "... that is one of my other goals...to do good for others".
I gave him my email and told him we'd help him find a way. For education without purpose is useless, even this boy understands that. In Tanzania, education is just one door, if only we can figure out how to help open more...
-- Humanitarian Fearless
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