Newsletters: Volume 1 - Fall 1997
 Anne, GTL's first scholarship applicant |
GTL is now a reality
On July 1 of this year Growth Through Learning was officially incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The date marks an important transition. Research, meetings, and dedication have brought this organization to fruition. GTL has moved from an idea and a hope to a full-fledged reality. The efforts leading to this event extended a full nine months and involved gathering a Board of Directors, writing the Articles of Organization and a set of by-laws for the organization.
As you know, fund raising has already begun, and has realized significant results. Some of you have already given generously to this effort, and we are hopeful that you will continue your support, and that others will join with us. As a private charitable organization, GTL is totally dependent upon donations from private citizens and non-government organizations who feel the need to help girls achieve an adequate education in East Africa.
The need is great. Even though in theory every child can attend public primary school free of charge for seven years, there are nonetheless school fees, expenses for uniforms and other supplies that make attendance out of reach for many. On the secondary and high school level there are simply not enough public schools to provide space for more than a fraction of those eligible. Those fortunate enough to be able to pay the average $300 tuition per year have a chance to continue schooling in a private secondary school. It is here that GTL is currently directing its efforts.
By establishing initial association with several educational institutions and civic groups already operating in Tanzania, GTL has placed itself in position to identify girls on the secondary level who are eager and able to succeed in secondary school if they can obtain the necessary financial assistance. For the present, we are concentrating our efforts on pupils who are in the upper 25% of their class, and consequently have promise of success. We are convinced that the impact of secondary education is paramount to social and economic growth.
Unlike the U. S., school opens in January in Africa. This means that the work of identifying deserving students has already begun and will continue in the upcoming weeks. This opening date also gives us a specific time frame. We have just two more months to raise the funds needed for this year's scholarships. Please help us to make education possible for these girls.
 Bernadette Majebelle, EOTF; Roger Whiting, President of GTL; Anna Mkapa, First Lady of Tanzania and Founder of EOTF; Ester Mkwizu, Executive Director of EOTF |
Letter from the President
On September 17th I traveled to Dar es Salaam for the purpose of exploring the possibilities for administration of Growth Through Learning in Tanzania, and to determine suitable ways to select and monitor students receiving scholarship aid. On both scores my trip was extremely successful. During the seven and a half days I was in Tanzania I found himself working nearly around the clock, following up on leads and possibilities that presented themselves as a result of correspondence prior to my trip, and filling many pages of notes on my observations.
While in Dar es Salaam I was able to visit three schools (one primary school and two secondary schools). The need for assistance is apparent everywhere. School administrators even showed me lists of specific students who would not be able to continue in school if they did not get some kind of financial assistance. The primary school I visited has responsibility for 3800 children who attend in two shifts, forty-five children in a room, and with no desks and few textbooks. The children sit on the floor while taking notes.
In addition to meeting with headmasters and headmistresses of schools, I established personal contact with the Equal Opportunity for All Trust Fund (EOTF) and with the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme. Both of these organizations expressed eagerness to work with us in the selection and monitoring of students as well as a willingness to distribute the GTL brochure to tourists in Tanzania. The Chairperson of EOTF is Mama Anna Mkapa, the first Lady of Tanzania, and she is totally in support of our effort.
Many individuals in positions of influence and responsibility not only welcomed me, but were of immediate assistance. Among these was Mr. Mohammed Gulleth, UNICEF Project Manager and father of board member Yusef Gulleth; John Kagaruki one time resident of Athol, MA and now founder and director of his own company in Dar es Salaam; Josiah Muganda, retired minister and educator, and his sister Anna who is Economic Advisor to the President of TZ, and of course, Alice whose desire for further education inspired me to set out on a mission that eventually turned into Growth Through Learning.
As a result of these efforts, and those of the Board of Directors, GTL is now in a position to provide scholarship aid to a number of needy and deserving girls in East Africa. Will you help us in this worthy cause?
- Roger L. Whiting, President
Last modified: May 11, 2003, 19:20 EDT