Meet Vincent, TCF's First Student Teacher!

Launched in 2005, TCF’s student teacher scholarship program has grown significantly and positively impacted over 100 young adults from the Oldeani community! 

Each year our team selects a group of recent graduates who cannot afford to continue their education to live with us at the Rift Valley Children’s Village (RVCV) where they can gain practical experience helping with our various programs. After spending one year with us, each student is fully supported through three years of college in a field of their choice!

Vincent Thlemu, our very first student teacher, is a remarkable example of the importance of this program. With his accommodation, meals, and medical care covered by TCF, Vincent was able to volunteer at Gyetighi Primary School (GPS) helping teach Standard 2 English. He was quick to make an impact on students and was passionate about improving literacy while making learning fun. 

With a natural ability to connect with students and a dream to one day become a teacher, we were thrilled to support Vincent as he furthered his education. When he returned home eager to continue making a difference at GPS, we jumped at the chance to have him join our dedicated team of teachers!

Vincent has been a part of our team for over 10 years and is now teaching at Oldeani Secondary School! Reflecting on his journey, he shares, "I am proud of the program's profound impact on my life as its first beneficiary and I remain committed to making a meaningful difference inside the classroom." While Vincent recognizes the significant infrastructure improvements that TCF has made possible, he mostly appreciates the ongoing efforts to improve the student experience at each of our partner schools. 

With so many of TCF’s student teachers out in the world making a positive difference in Tanzania, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the 2024 class into the program this month.

Together, we can ensure incredibly determined, bright young minds like Vincent, have the opportunity to pursue their passions and achieve a bright future!