IEFT operates Orkeeswa School, a top-performing secondary school located in an under-resourced Maasai village in rural Tanzania. Orkeeswa creates opportunities for students to become strong voices for change in their communities by offering high-quality, holistic education that promotes creativity, emphasizes community service, and nurtures students’ leadership capacity. Support from The School Fund allows IEFT to provide this high quality education at no cost to students.
Baraka, along with his 3 other siblings, is supported by his mother who works as a subsistence farmer. His father is a retired teacher, however he left the family and is no longer in Baraka’s life. In addition to single-handedly supporting her own children, she also took in her brother’s children when he died. Neither of Baraka’s two older siblings had the opportunity to go to secondary school. Baraka hopes to be the first in his family to graduate secondary school and set a good example for his younger brother who will soon finish primary school.
School Year 2019
Veronica’s father has mental health problems and is mostly absent in the lives of his two wives and eleven children. Since her mother moved far away for work, Veronica and her other siblings live with their father’s second wife who supports the children by collecting and selling firewood in Monduli. However, she struggles to pay for expenses such as school fees. Veronica hopes to be able to finish secondary school and set a good example for her younger brother, who has just started at Orkeeswa in Pre-Form One.
School Year 2017
A quiet leader, Papaa is initially shy but often steps up to take the initiative and motivate his peers. He is curious and calm, and his determination to continue his education is unwavering. Pappa is a natural athlete, and most enjoys playing football and dancing. To support their three children, Papaa’s father works as an accountant and his mother works as a primary school teacher.
School Year 2022
Shy but energetic, Naleku is determined to continue her studies. As a child, she rolled into a fire while napping and suffered from burns on her face. But, despite this incident, Naleku radiates positive energy and interacts confidently with her peers, both in the classroom and on the sports fields. Before passing away several years ago, Naleku’s father had six wives and many children. Naleku will be the first of her mother’s children to attend secondary school as her mother was unable to afford school fees for Naleku’s older brothers
School Year 2022
Sechota has lived in Monduli Town with her grandmother and grandfather since her parents died many years ago. Her grandparents support her and her 5 other siblings on their subsistence farm. However, because they are quite old and have little money, they struggle to contribute to their grandchildren’s education. Sechota’s older sister finished secondary school and is now studying computer science at a certificate program. Sechota hopes to be able to also succeed in secondary school so that she can send her younger siblings to primary school.
School Year 2017
Quiet and curious, Paulina enjoys exploring her interests in geography and english class with a steadfast determination. As the oldest in her family, Paulina serves as a stellar example to her younger siblings. She can often be found studying with her friends, and she hopes to become a member of parliament and help build more durable homes in her community after graduation.
School Year 2022