NO ORDINARY BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRILL AT MKONO WA MARA

“I heartily welcome you to Mkono Wa Mara school,” says head teacher, Goodluck. 

Goodluck oversees the primary school in rural Tanzania, a part of Chalice’s Mbinga sponsor site. More than 420 children arrive daily for their classes, which span from kindergarten to grade seven.

Goodluck oversees the primary school in rural Tanzania, a part of Chalice’s Mbinga sponsor site. More than 420 children arrive daily for their classes, which span from kindergarten to grade seven.

The school buildings were built in 1962 – right around the time Tanzania achieved independence. Mkono Wa Mara has never had renovations.

“Thus, the classrooms are not conducive for learning due to rusted and leaking roofs,” Goodluck says. Their school cook used to try to prepare meals in a roofless hut. They also did not have a water tank, so she had to push it in on a wagon. It was time-consuming and exhausting work.

“We used to cook in the rain,” says Goodluck. “When it rained, we couldn’t cook.”

Their school needed a lot of love and support – which they found in their sister school in Lethbridge, Alberta.

They are most excited about the transformation of their kitchen and their new rainwater storage tank. “It is a modern kitchen, and it is connected to the water tank,” Goodluck says. “So, there will be water for cooking and for the students to wash. The kitchen will be very efficient.”

“You also remembered that we needed cooking pots and brought those!” Good luck says to the St. Teresa students. “Very nice, big pots that mean we can cook for the whole school. That has been especially helpful because it reduced student absenteeism. It has also increased the students’ effectiveness in learning because they used to be hungry, but now they are getting food and eating.”

Mkono Wa Mara staff have plans to renovate nine classrooms, a computer room, and a dining hall. “We will also add 200 new classroom desks for the pupils to use while studying,” Goodluck says.

“Through the renovation of our classrooms, we will have a conducive learning environment, even in tough rainy seasons,” says Brooklyn, a grade seven student. “Thank you very much. God bless you.”

“You stand on behalf of God. We are very grateful to you,” Goodluck says on behalf of the school. “I ask God to continue to bless you, for what you have done is great.” 

 “God will bless you. God will increase you where you gave.”