Making a Difference
Fifteen years ago, the Tanzanian Children's Fund (TCF) started its Student Teacher Program, aimed at addressing barriers in the community that prevent young adults from continuing their education past secondary school. Every year, we invite bright secondary school graduates who are unable to pay their college fees to live at the Rift Valley Children's Village (RVCV) and work as teaching assistants at Gyetighi Primary and Oldeani Secondary School. In return for a year of service, TCF pays for the student's entire college education. Since 2005, TCF has empowered over 75 Student Teachers to continue their educations and achieve their goals.
Meet five former Student Teachers who have since come back to serve the community that made their dreams possible:
Selestian Damas
Selestian, TCF’s HR Manager and Purchasing Officer, supports more than 120 Tanzanian staff members and oversees the purchasing and distribution of all supplies that enter the Children's Village. He joined the Student Teacher Program in 2007. “I am here now, the way I am and everything I have, because of the Student Teacher Program,” he beams.
When Selestian was three years old, he lost both of his parents. “Without the program I might be picking coffee with nobody to help me. My dreams would be lost... I would be lost,” he explains. Selestian’s ultimate dream is to have a tangible impact on the lives of RVCV and community children. “When I see the RVCV kids find success, have jobs, careers, make a life on their own, that is my dream,” he explains.
Marco Nicomedi
Marco, 28, is a Math, Geography and Economics teacher at Gyetighi Primary School. Marco participated in the Student Teacher Program in 2012. He reflects on the experience: “I learned how to live with and behave around kids, to socialize, to speak English.”
He also gained confidence, noting that “at the beginning, I was scared. I left [the program] feeling confident, like I can face any person… if we are not confident in this life, we cannot make anything happen”. Although he is enjoying teaching, Marco has other plans for the future. “I have a lot of dreams. I hope to be a business person in Agriculture in the future,” he explains.
Angel Sylvester
At 22 years old, Angel has just completed college with a diploma in Teaching and Education. “Being a teacher has been my dream, even when I was young,” she says with a smile. Joining the Student Teacher Program in 2017 exposed Angel to new communities and experiences.
“It opened my horizons, I interacted with different people from different places, like America and I learned English” she says. Now, Angel is assisting with our Early Childhood Care and Education Initiative, helping more than 30 young minds jumpstart their education.
Paskalina Tlemu
Paskalina, an English and Civics teacher at Gyetighi Primary School, joined the Student Teacher Program in 2013. Working as a Student Teacher challenged Paskalina to come out of her shell.
“It helped me to be confident, to stand in front of many people,” she explains. “I also learned English,” she adds. Paskalina hopes to continue the important work of teaching. “I want to help the children of Africa to get a good education, to be able to depend on themselves, and to be aware of the corruption in Tanzania,” she says.
Gabriel Yona
Gabriel is the RVCV Social Worker dedicated to working with our younger children, and he assists with our Early Childhood Care and Education Initiative. As a Student Teacher in 2006, Gabby formed his passion for educating and caring for children. Known fondly as the “child whisperer” at RVCV, Gabriel Yona has one dream: “I need to contribute to society, to help society however possible,” he explains. “And I love kids more than anything!” he adds.