Village Education Project Kilimanjaro works to improve education in primary and pre-primary schools in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. We gave VEPK a grant so that they could run training for headteachers with the aim to give them the skills they need to run their schools and teach the children to the very best of their ability. We also funded some workshops for District Education officers.
The headteachers’ training covered subjects such as teamwork, time management, personal effectiveness and developing action plans. The training resulted not only in improved skills of the headteachers but also a huge boost in confidence. Some of the participants who were almost withdrawn in the beginning became much more outgoing and cheerful.
The District Education Officers who took part in the workshop referred to it as ‘historic in the education system of Kilimanjaro’ as it was the first time they had the opportunity to sit together and discuss their work. All left the workshop feeling very motivated and excited about the future. Katy, founder of VEPK said “only when the participants feel ‘we can do this ourselves’ is help effective. The headteachers and the district education officers started to have their own good ideas for improvements in their work”.
The role of education in reducing poverty is crucial. VEPK’s work not only gives hope to the children of Tanzania, but also to generations to come.
For more information, please visit their website: www.kiliproject.org
