Shinda Basic School, was established by the late Mr. Pasian Kimaro in 2000, in the outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania, as a grassroots educational organization that aims to provide quality education to children of low-income families who live in and around Olnjavutian Village in the Arusha District of Tanzania. SBS is deeply devoted to progressive learning techniques, to education for the sake of learning, and to expanding the minds of Tanzanian children, for they hold the keys to the future of the country.
The Shinda Basic School also aims to further develop the community by contributing to the advancement of adult literacy, health and environmental awareness, family planning and self-employment alternatives.
Background:
The Shinda Basic School is located in an industrial neighborhood in the city of Arusha. Until May 2006, Shinda Basic has been led by a man of vision and enthusiasm, Mr. Pasian Kimaro. SBS has 157 students currently enrolled in nursery school to grade seven. In 2008 Shinda had its first primary school graduates. Twelve students sat for the standard seven exist exam and ten were selected to secondary schools. This was a big mile stone for Shinda considering its humble beginnings.
When the children, aged 4-12, first started school, few of them had never been to school before, could not count, read or write in Swahili, or their native languages. After one year of instruction, many of the first graders could read and write in both Swahili and English, and can add, subtract, multiply and divide. In addition the children have been exposed to stimulating learning games, music, and art through SBS's commitment to progressive education. This is also a big step for the community towards advancing the society and building a future for most of these young children who would otherwise have no opportunity to education.
Rafiki Trust in later years will strive to build a Secondary school should available resources allow. To most parents of this area it is a challenge to afford to send their children to the government schools, which require yearly tuition, plus money for books and uniforms, nor could they afford some of the more affluent private schools in Arusha. An affordable private school in their area was a dream come true for many children who otherwise would not be attending school at all.
When the school was first started, there was one classroom. After a donation from a former student of the headmaster's, a second classroom was built. SBS has had many donations of supplies and a library of children's books that exceeds 3000 volumes. However, Shinda Basic School needs to complete the constructions of classrooms to accomodate new enrollments, improve the quality of the existing buildings and prepared the school to open as a secondary school in the next five years.
Please help Shinda Basic secure the funds needed to complete the classrooms and expand to accomodate the growing student body. If possible please consider sponsoring a child at Shinda Basic for a year for only $120.00
Any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated and will greatly influence the lives of the students of the Shinda Basic School. A little goes a long way in Tanzania!
You can make a huge difference for years to come. Please support us by financial donations, by volunteering at the school or providing educations materials and computers equipments.
