By contributing writer Naomi Elias Tura
My name is Naomi Elias Tura. I graduated from Kitenga Girls Secondary School in 2023. I was born in the Mara region in Tanzania in 2005. I live in the Tarime district with both my parents. And for now, I am working as a GEC volunteer.
Right: Naomi Elias Left: Neema Edward Participating in a basic computer literacy class.
Tanzania is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. It has many natural resources, like tanzanite, which is found in the Arusha region in the northern part of Tanzania. We also have the Mountain Kilimanjaro, which is found in the Kilimanjaro region in the northern part of Tanzania. There are also national parks, which include Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro National Park.
I am motivated to continue going to school because of the experiences I see in my community, such as female genital mutilation and gender discrimination. I like talking to people about such harmful cultural practices because I am unhappy about them.
BEING A GIRL IN TANZANIA means facing a unique set of challenges due to various cultural, social, and economic factors. Girls in Tanzania often face difficulties getting an education and participating in economic activities. There is also poor provision of healthcare, and girls do not equally participate in decision-making. The challenges include limited educational opportunities, early marriage, and gender discrimination.
Despite the challenges, girls in Tanzania have some opportunities available to them. These include:
Priority in Education: The government and nongovernmental institutions have put effort into increasing girls educational opportunities. These efforts are being put into girls to improve their economic opportunities and to develop their communities.
Healthcare: There are several health educational opportunities for girls that enable them to be aware of their health and reproductive decisions. Some schools also have ‘shower rooms’ where girls can regularly change their sanitary pads and clean themselves.
Empowerment programs: An increasing number of institutions aim to empower girls by inspiring them to get an education. They also provide career guidance and talent development that help girls become self-reliant.
IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN TANZANIA
Education has helped girls develop their communities in Tanzania, help the economically disadvantaged, and engage in political activities. It has also empowered girls to use their voices to fight against culturally harmful practices, and I have participated in that. Education has also helped me meet people from different parts of the world.
POSITIVE IMPACTS OF SCHOOLS ON GIRLS
Through schools, girls acquire formal education that gives them opportunities to qualify for various social and economic opportunities. The knowledge and skills girls get from schools also help them become self-aware and make decisions that are best for them. Most importantly, schools help girls gain creativity, leadership, and advocacy skills that help them overcome the barriers they face in their communities.
MY HOPES FOR GIRLS IN THE FUTURE
I hope to see a more equitable world where girls are seen as responsible, equals who can express themselves and participate in decision-making. I want to see girls take up more leadership roles in their communities, participate in advocacy, and talk to communities about issues that affect them without fear. I hope that girls will not just be seen as dependents but as people who can participate in the development of their communities.
IMPACT OF KGSS ON GIRLS
Kitenga Girls Secondary School (KGSS) helps girls improve their academic performance and have excellent school examination results. The school also helps girls develop spiritually and to develop their characters. They also provide skills learning opportunities, like in permaculture, cookery, and jam-making. These give girls skills they can use to be self-reliant. I like that girls can develop their talents there and meet people from different parts of the world. This helps to boost their confidence and develops their communication skills.
REFLECTING ON MY TIME AS A KGSS
I like the community KGSS provides and spending time with my fellow students. I remember getting a certificate on my graduation day, and that is a day I will never forget. Some of us were even emotional because of how happy we were. The last Mother’s Day was also memorable for me. We shared about African women’s lives and our hopes as future women. These experiences have contributed to who I am today.
Naomi Elias, current KGSS Alumni and GEC Volunteer, receives a certificate at her high school graduation in 2023.
MY VOLUNTEER WORK WITH GEC
I have been involved in different activities and trying to advocate for my fellow girls. I also worked with GEC’s partner, Empowered Girls, and guided my fellow girls in career counseling, self-awareness, identifying their needs, and how they can work towards their visions.
“THERE IS NOTHING A GIRL CAN’T DO.”