Drop of Rain

When I met Bibi in 2009 she would call me her ‘Drop of Rain.’ One night she gave a passionate speech to the boarding students about strength, enthusiasm and dedication that is needed when giving back to the world. She used my commitment to FANAKA as a living example that the world relies on those who give back. She made it clear that it was also their responsibility to give back to the world in a meaningful way. ‘It is through the power of community that one finds the strength to be at its best,’ she told them.

It was through the hard work of all of our volunteers and supporters that this analogy really came to life. Before she passed she would tell all of her friends and family that when she thought the drought that hit FANAKA would not end, The Tanzanian Education Project was their savior. Over the past three years we all have worked nonstop to make FANAKA the school it should be. In additional to our advising and teaching hours we  invested in the library, water harvesting system, chickens, sports facilities, learning aids and the stationary shop. Unfortunately, the condition of the school has not flourished as we had hoped.

It was known for years that the primary problem the school faced now that Bibi was gone was a lack of leadership, passion and management. However, the school and TEP did not have the funds to support such a manager’s salary so we did our best with what we had. It is now clear that if we allow the current management to continue the school will face closure. When we were days from facing the heartbreaking reality of the school’s condition and thus TEP’s departure from FANAKA, our ‘Drop of Rain’ appeared.

 His name is Fred and he is currently the Headmaster and school manager at the highest scoring High School in Dar es Salaam. He runs his school with a very small budget, less tools than FANAKA and no international support. He has offered to volunteer his services to FANAKA for six months while the transition of management occurs. Already his ideas, excitement and work ethic are contagious. Katie and I feel a new sense of urgency but most of all a skilled companion in this fight to save the school. I believe this is our make or break it moment and there is nothing more relieving than to have a strong leader. Of course we need the cooperation and hard work from the school for our ideas to work but at the very least this is a vital step in the right direction.

We all need our drops of rain in life. TEP’s donors and supporters are that every day for me and our mission to give back. Now on the ground we hope Fred can assist us in making our donors proud.

-Cassie