The School Fund

About

My parents separated a long time ago and I have not seen either of them for two years now. I live with my grandparents and with my brother and sister. My grandfather owns one donkey and one cow, so we do not have very much money. My grandfather is also sick so my grandmother has a temporary job and this is where we get all of our money. Sometimes we have a hard time getting by on just that money. I finished primary school and I knew that I liked mathematics and history the best. I also like playing sports like netball.

Where your donation goes

Total $1200

Transportation

$75
Student Services

$125
Extra Curricular

$75
Teachers & Staff

$665
Supplies

$160
Meals

$100

Jennifer's Funding history

Year	Grade	Receipt	Status
2020	Form 6
2019	Form 5
2018	Form 4
2017	Form 4
2016	Form 3
2015	Form 2

Journal

Use the journal feature to write directly to a student

Jennifer

Tue, September 15, 2020 at 11:32 am GMT

Dear TSF sponsors,

This is Tunu, the Communications and Development Manager at Orkeeswa School.

As you may be aware, Orkeeswa School re-opened in June after we made several changes on campus to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community.

We are proud to let you know that Jennifer completed her 12th Grade National Exams last month, reaching a milestone that only 28% of Tanzanians reach nationally, and less than 1% of girls in rural areas. Jennifer also received an award for her volunteer initiatives when she was at school. We celebrated with Jennifer during a small graduation ceremony held at Orkeeswa School. I’ve included a photo of Jennifer below from their special day.

In addition, we were able to sit down with Jennifer and reflect on her time at Orkeeswa. The growth that Jennifer and her classmates have had over the past seven years, and their impact in their homes and community is truly inspiring.

“When I was in 6th Grade, I didn’t know how to arrange my schedule and I was always trying to do too many things. But now I know how to prioritize what needs to get done. I have to do a lot of responsibilities when I get home from school, and now I know how to make it all happen. My mindset about it all has completely changed.” Jennifer's pre-form One reflection

“It has been few weeks since I graduated and
I am still very happy. I am enjoying the Post
12th Grade program as it teaches us how to
face the world when we go out there. And
in my community and my family, everyone is
proud of me and hope that I pass my exams, go
to university and come back to help at home.” Jennifer's Post-graduate reflection

We know that you joined us in celebrating Jennifer and all of our graduates as we wish them the best in the next chapter of their lives.

Thank you for your incredible support that helped make this milestone possible.

With Gratitude,
Tunu and Orkeeswa School

Jennifer

Sun, May 3, 2020 at 9:59 pm GMT

Dear TSF sponsors,

This is Tunu, the Communications and Development Manager at Orkeeswa School.

I hope you are doing well and staying safe in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.

In case you didn't get our newsletter, Orkeeswa School has taken the following steps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
* Closed the school on Monday, March 16 in anticipation that cases would soon be confirmed in Tanzania
* Ahead of that, we educated students and staff about the virus, social distancing, and other preventative measures they could start taking immediately
* Created and distributed Swahili informational materials to share with families and community members.
If you have any questions about Orkeeswa during this time, please let us know.

While this is a unique time globally, we are working hard to make sure we keep things on track with Orkeeswa School, and that includes keeping our Scholarship Program updated and in full operation.

Jennifer has been preparing for her National Examinations this year, but also really applying herself as a scholar, leader, and role model in her school and in her community.

We sat down with her to hear her thoughts about her final year of high school, and this is what she had to say, “Every time I remember that this is my last year of secondary school, I feel so proud of myself that I am close to the finish line and almost to a new stage of life! My family feels very happy for me because they have always been encouraging me to work hard, so being in 12th Grade makes them understand that my hard work is paying off. I am the first one in my family to make it this far in my education, and that makes me feel like I have to succeed so that my young brothers and sisters can see me as their role model. This is a little scary, but I am sure I can do it!”

Regarding her favorite subject in class, Jennifer said “ Socialism has been a very interesting topic in my History class. I really enjoyed this topic as we discussed how socialism affects the Tanzania we live today. I was also fascinated to learn about European history which at first was difficult to understand, but our teacher came up with really interesting activities to help us understand.”

Jennifer has also been involved in some really enriching extracurricular activities and she had this to say about them; “I’m a member of the Pan-African Leaders Club, and we have been learning about the African leaders who brought positive changes in their home countries. Now I consider myself one of the Pan-African leaders of the near future, because I have learned the strategies used to bring changes in my own country! I'm also participating in a Yoga activity, where every Friday we do gentle yoga to relax and clear our minds. I love it because it makes me feel calm before going home for the weekend!”

As you can see, Jennifer is all grown up, having an interesting final year of high school and very excited of her future. We are sure she will perform well in her National Exams and go ahead to university. We look forward to keeping you updated on her progress.

Attached is a photo of Jennifer during a practical project.

Thank you for supporting Jennifer's education at Orkeeswa School!

With Gratitude,
Tunu and Orkeeswa School

Jennifer

Sun, August 4, 2019 at 7:09 pm GMT

Hi TSF Sponsors!

This is Samantha, the Scholarship Coordinator at Orkeeswa School, writing on Jennifer's behalf. Jennifer has just begun the 12th Grade, and has been studying really hard to prepare for her upcoming graduation in June 2020. Recently, Jennifer has been involved in the Journalism Club at school, and had the opportunity to represent her culture in a Maasai Dance performance!

Thank you for your continued support of Jennifer's education!

With gratitude,

Sam, Jennifer, and Orkeeswa School

Barbara

Fri, April 20, 2018 at 7:16 pm GMT

This year it will be fifty years since I graduated from secondary school. My school is holding a reunion but I think I live too far away to go. But I remember so much about my school years, and I think school made a huge difference in my life. Here is a picture from my graduation. I am the one wearing glasses.

Barbara

Mon, March 19, 2018 at 5:53 pm GMT

Thank you for your letter about Jennifer. When will she get her test results? As I understand it, if she qualifies, she will have two more years of secondary school, and if she does not, she graduates with a tenth grade education? I have made a first payment towards her 2018 year. Everything I read makes me think she is at a very good school, and I am happy to try to help her finish. If you see her, tell her I wrote and am thinking about her.

Jennifer

Sun, January 28, 2018 at 11:38 am GMT

Hi TSF Sponsors!

This is Samantha, Orkeeswa School's Scholarship Coordinator, writing on behalf of Jennifer. Orkeeswa students just returned from their holiday break and are eager to be starting the new school year. Jennifer and her classmates completed their 10th grade studies and National Exams last fall, and while we wait for their exam results from the Ministry of Education, these students will be participating in a teacher training seminar, doing community service with local primary school students, and engaging in Orkeeswa's entrepreneurship training program.

These experiences will provide a unique opportunity for Jennifer and her classmates to give back to their community, as well as explore entrepreneurship as a career path as they wait to see what their next steps are in their secondary school education.

We will certainly keep you updated on Jennifer's progress with her community service and entrepreneurship projects, as well as her plans going forward. Thank you for your continued support of Jennifer and Orkeeswa School. We sincerely appreciate your partnership in providing the highest quality education to our students.

With gratitude,

Samantha

Jennifer

Tue, May 2, 2017 at 11:17 am GMT

Hi Barbara and TSF Sponsors,

This is Emma, the Scholarship Coordinator at Jennifer’s school, and I am writing on her behalf to update you all. In January, Jennifer began Form Four at Orkeeswa School and she is doing very well! Form Four is the last year of Ordinary Level education (O-level) before students continue to Advanced-Level (A-level) in Tanzania’s education system.

As it is a very important year, Jennifer and her classmates have been working very hard to prepare for their National Examinations in November. I wanted to share some of her thoughts with you about how she is staying busy and managing the stress of Form Four!

"I am feeling very good about being in Form Four because it means I will finish O-Level! I want to finish O-level so that I can continue to A-level and accomplish my goals in school. I have a little bit of stress about being Form Four Grade too. Questions like “how will I perform on the National exams?”. For me, I don’t even want to sleep because I always want to study, but that is not possible! I think that being with my friends will help me to release my stress though, because when you discuss issues and your studies, you will learn much more. I like to study with others because I learn more from group discussions. Also, reading novels is one way for me to reduce stress. I really like books about girls – I just read “I am Malala” over the Holiday, and I really liked it. Reading it gives you many messages about not losing hope in your studies, and those kind of books help to refresh my mind. Sometimes at home, I am also going to try to listen to some music because I like it and thinks it helps me to feel less stressed."

Thank you very much for supporting Jennifer’s education and Orkeeswa School! She is working hard and very appreciative of your encouragement!

With gratitude,
Emma (on Jennifer’s behalf)
www.ieftz.org

Barbara

Tue, February 28, 2017 at 10:35 pm GMT

I am happy to report that you are now paid up for 2017. This is a crowdfunded effort, so I am not the only one contributing, but today I was able to make the final payment, and you are now listed as 100% funded. So have a good year, and take as much advantage as you can. All my love,

Barb.

Amina Mohammed

Sat, February 18, 2017 at 12:28 pm GMT

Hello
I think you will get surprise to see my post.Worry out cause we are the family now and we must know on one another.
My name is Amina Mambo a form four student at Miyomboni sec whom Interested with your journals.
I also to know you well about your life ,education,form you are,hobbies and may you think to tell me.

I am also good in poem ,return in my profile to see and then share with me
ALSO LET ME WRITE TO YOU
good lucky always come at once,
Never delay to let it pass,
You will get cry after it dis appers
I'm that lucky never let me pass like a shadow.
I think you are enjoy,
the first journal of the talent,
May be you have not
Seen in your life
Please accept it
to make me in your graph.

Hope you enjoy,
That is what i want to tell you.
Nice weekend.

Dear
Amina M.

Barbara

Tue, January 17, 2017 at 1:12 am GMT

Yesterday, I played a "Pops" concert with a group called The Texas Tenors and a friend took a photo of my Viola section. I am the second person from the left. It was a lot of fun to play, but very loud. Most of us used earplugs to protect our hearing. It is doubly enjoyable for me because I know my paycheck from the concert helps to support people like you to get a good education. What I read about your school makes me think it is a good place to learn, and I am glad you are able to go.

Barb C.

Nuru

Sat, November 19, 2016 at 11:02 am GMT

Hallo Jenifer
My name is Nuru can I be your friend in order we may share ideas
commonly on subject matter

Barbara

Fri, November 18, 2016 at 5:27 pm GMT

Again, thank you, Lisa, for sending news about Jennifer. It sounds like she is in a very good school. As a musician, I completely understand about the anxiety and the benefits of public speaking. Getting up on stage and performing is very challenging, especially for a young woman. What helped me get over my fears was when I realized that I was just the messenger. The people listening were less interested in me than they were in the message. I wasn't being judged. I wanted them to care about what I was sharing, and that made it easier.

Good luck this year and I will continue to do what I can to help with your school fees.

Barb Creider

Jennifer

Mon, October 10, 2016 at 3:49 pm GMT

Hi Barbara and TSF Sponsors,

This is Lisa, writing on Jennifer's behalf. Jennifer is doing really well this year in Form Three, and so enjoys reading your notes of encouragement. Thank you for posting to her journal! Jennifer also wanted to share with you about her current club at Orkeeswa School, Public Speaking. This club has been an amazing growing opportunity for Jennifer, and I'm sure you will enjoy her thoughts on the experience.

"Right now, I am in Public Speaking Club. I really like the club because it is helping me to improve my confidence. By speaking in front of others and practicing the skills, I know that I can be more confident. The club is a challenge for me though, because when you speak in front of others, it is so difficult. If you don’t have confidence, people can laugh at you and it makes you feel like you are not a strong person. But, I feel like the club has really helped me to be better and to be more confident. I have learned a lot about the things that you have to maintain while you are public speaking – like don’t distract the audience with your body, but use your words to communicate your message instead. In Public Speaking Club, I would like to improve my confidence even more. I know that it is getting better, but I can always have more and practicing helps a lot."

Thank you again for your support of Jennifer's education at Orkeeswa School! She is so appreciative of your encouragement.

With thanks,
Lisa (on Jennifer's behalf)
www.ieftz.org

Barbara

Sun, April 3, 2016 at 3:32 am GMT

Thank you, Lisa, for writing on Jennifer's behalf. It is always a treat for the donors to get a personal glimpse into the lives of the students we help support. I enjoyed reading her comments on collaboration and especially the photo of her listening through the headphone. Let her know that there are people who are cheering for her success. Give her my best wishes.

I am a musician and a music teacher who has retired from my job teaching music to children ages 8 through 11 but am still playing viola in our symphony. I also teach a college class. When I make extra money from playing weddings, I can donate to The School Fund and hopefully help people like Jennifer to have a chance at a better life. Secondary school was a huge influence on my life and I hope it will be for Jennijer as well.

Jennifer

Mon, March 28, 2016 at 7:35 pm GMT

Hi everyone! This is Lisa, the Scholarship Director at Jennifer's school. Because our internet and power have been down at the school, Jennifer has not been able to update her journal as much as she would like. Hopefully we will have our computer lab up and running soon so Jennifer can be in touch with you all directly! Until then, I wanted to share this quote from Jennifer that we got last week as she was talking about collaboration, one of our school values.

"Collaboration is important because you cannot do everything by yourself. If you work together, you will gain something. If you are studying and you don’t know something, in a group someone can help you. I like to study with other students because I learn so much. I learn different ways of answering questions. If I were by myself, I would only know one way to answer a question. When I am with other people, I see there are many ways. In a group I can ask for help."

Thank you all for supporting Jennifer's education at Orkeeswa School!

- Lisa Heinert, on Jennifer's behalf

older entries

Gideon

Tanzania

I have experience planting vegetables because my parents do that. Also, we have a garden at our home. Therefore, that is experience I have had in life. Apart from that experience, I also had a difficult experience when I failed my geography exam. That enabled me to learn how to cooperate with other students. I was so proud of myself when I performed well in my national exam. The memorable and happiest moment in my life will be when I reach my dream of being pilot. I will be so happy. My biggest dream is to be a pilot. I will get there through studying hard in physics, geography, and mathematics. After reaching my dream, I will help my parents to modify their cultivation system and to become professional farmers. From there they can expand the area of cultivation into a large plantation. Once I get a chance to have the power to change my country, I will build many airports in each region and some districts. This will help in the flexibility of transportation in my country.

Raised $0
Needs $200

School Year 2024

Godfridi

Tanzania

Experiences in my life are when I failed my examination during primary education and also when my parents failed to pay food for me. My difficult experiences in my life are when my parents have insufficient enough money to pay for all my basic needs at school such as food and other school contributions. The thing that makes me feel so proud of myself is when I succeeded in joining O-level education. This makes me feel that I will, I must, I can do everything. The most memorable and happiest thing in my life will be to reach my dream of being a doctor general so as I can help other people in society. My future dream is to be a GOOD surgical doctor. After me reaching my dream, I will give back help to my society and family, but also to WEF. I need to work hard upon reaching my dream in my life. Once I get chance to have power of changing anything in country, I will improve the education system by converting science subjects from theory to practical. In most of our schools, they teach science subjects mostly theoretically. I will start from there because as we know education is the key to every success in our people.

Raised $0
Needs $200

School Year 2024

Bertha

42%

Bertha

Tanzania

Notable experiences in my life are, first, passing my standard seven examination and, second, entering secondary school. My most difficult experience was when I started to learn English. I have learned that if you want to do something, you have to work hard. I felt proud was when I entered secondary school. My most memorable and happiest thoughts are from when I celebrated at my birthday party. My dream is to be an electrical engineer. I will get there through studying hard and doing well in science subjects. If I had the power to change my country, I would like to improve the electricity supply especially in rural areas because there are shortages of electric power.

Raised $105
Needs $145

School Year 2024

About

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Jennifer's Funding history

Journal

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Other Students

Gideon

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Godfridi

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