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How many students will the school have?
We are planning for 30 students in each grade level, so when the school is complete (pre-kindergarten through grade 7) there will be 270 students.
How much will it cost to build the school?
The cost for the first phase of construction, including four classrooms, a kitchen and cafeteria, a staff room, an office, housing for five teachers, water supply, solar power supply, and toilets was $430,000. We anticipate the cost for phase 2, which will include five additional classrooms, library, administration block, more toilets and three additional teacher duplexes to be $463,000.
Where is the school being built?
Twegashe Primary School will be located in Bushasha village, which is in northwestern Tanzania on the west shore of Lake Victoria, about 5 miles south of the border with Uganda and 20 miles north of the town of Bukoba.
How far is the nearest town from Bushasha village?
The nearest town, Bukoba, is about 20 miles away by dirt road. The population of Bukoba town is about 130,000.
Why did CORE Tanzania choose to work in Bushasha village?
First, there is a big need for improved education in Bushasha. The existing government school is very over-crowded and doesn’t have many resources, so it is difficult for that school to provide a decent education. The entire village is in a bad state economically, and people there don’t seem to have much hope for the future. We felt that improved education would be the most effective way to change that.
The second reason we chose Bushasha is that we have a close personal connection with the village. CORE Tanzania’s founder grew up in this village, so he knows the people there and is familiar with the local language and culture. As a result, we can work together with villagers and be sure that what we do is consistent with their wishes.
Why does CORE Tanzania want to help with problems in rural Tanzania when there are many problems here in the U.S.?
In a place like rural Tanzania, education dollars go a long way. What would be considered a very rudimentary school here in the U.S. can make a huge difference there. In addition, we believe that improving lives through education in places like Tanzania contributes to stability in those countries and therefore to security and peace throughout the world.
What is the name of the school and what does it mean?
The name of the school is Twegashe Primary School. “Twegashe” is the Kihaya word for “Let’s make our lives meaningful”. Kihaya is the language children learn at home in Bushasha village.
When will school construction be completed?
Phase 1 construction is complete. The second phase of school construction began in April 2022 and will be completed before January 2024 to accommodate students moving up from grade 3.
Who will the teachers be at Twegashe Primary School?
We plan to hire well-qualified Tanzanian teachers, but we may also use volunteer teachers from the U.S. or Europe to assist in the classroom or with extra-curricular activities, to provide English exposure, and to teach special topics.
Will students need to pay any fees to attend Twegashe Primary School?
We will ask for a contribution according to a family’s income level. All children will be eligible for admission regardless of their ability to pay.
Are there enough children in Bushasha village to support two primary schools?
Yes. The existing school has an average of 100 children on the roster for each grade, with class sizes being largest for the youngest grade levels. There is only one classroom and one teacher for each grade. This year (2018) there are 200 four- and five-year-olds registered in the kindergarten class. We anticipate that a second school will help to take some of this pressure off the existing school.
How long does it take to fly to Tanzania?
It takes about 20 hours from Seattle—that’s time in the air, and doesn’t include layover time.
What is the literacy rate in Tanzania?
The literacy rate for ages 15 and above is roughly 75% for men and 65% for women.
What percentage of the funds CORE Tanzania raises are used for fundraising and administrative costs?
About 3%. Our operations in the US are run entirely by volunteers and all our travel costs are covered by the individuals traveling.
How much does it cost to educate one child at the school for one year?
We estimate that it will cost about $600 to educate an individual child for a year. This does not include the initial cost of building and furnishing the school.
How will CORE Tanzania fund the construction and operation of the school?
We expect to get most of our initial funding from individual donors. After the school is established, we intend to pursue income-generating projects such as vegetable gardening, fish-farming, and forestry. These projects will help the school move toward self-sufficiency while at the same time providing practical training for our students.
