Newsletters: Volume 8 - Spring 2002
 Yona Andrew |
Visits from Coordinators
Thanks to the sponsorship of our sister organization, Friends of Tanzanian Schools, Yona Andrew was able to spend a May week at GTL headquarters in Paxton. Yona is the scholarship coordinator for GTL in Arusha, Tanzania. A GTL reception gave Yona and 18 board members and donors a chance to become better acquainted. Yona is principal of the Sakila Primary School located near Arusha, TZ.
These visits, as well as Mr. Whiting's visits to Africa, not only assure us that the organization is working well, they are also a significant effort to foster GTL's mission to encourage "a cross-cultural exchange of communication, information and ideas between countries."
Stewardship
Among the ancient Hebrews and some other ancient peoples, there existed a well-established social practice called tithing. At the core of the practice was the expectation that each household or individual would set aside one tenth of their annual income for the support of religious and charitable endeavors. Sometimes this practice was placed on a legal footing as a sort of tax, and at other times was left to the voluntary acceptance of individuals. In many segments of society tithing continued as a formally established practice throughout the Jewish and Christian Middle Ages, and indeed still existed in nineteenth century Britain.
Even today, although perhaps less formally established, the practice continues to flourish both among individuals, and in various religious and social groups. A national meeting of the Tikkun Community in New York City earlier this year, attended by Jews, Christians, Buddhists and others devoted to healing and mending the world, devoted one panel of the conference to the subject of tithing. It was interesting to learn that some groups chose as their goal not one-tenth of their income, as is indicated by the name tithing, but aimed at 15 to 20 percent.
 New classrooms at Sakila Primary School |
Even more interesting was the explanation provided by the discussion leader of the underlying meaning of the practice of tithing. According to this speaker the idea of tithing rests upon the conviction that the goods of the earth are provided by the Creator as a common patrimony for all of us. In this understanding what we generally call our income does not really belong to us but is a portion of the common patrimony given into our individual care for the good of all. We are not truly owners but stewards, charged with seeing that a particular portion (our income) of the creator's gifts is distributed well. It would seem to follow from this that setting aside and distributing the ten-percent is not a matter of charity but a matter of entering into the providential care of the world. It is up to each of us to attend, with prudence and justice, to what has been placed in our care. The speaker himself had chosen to follow a career as a director of a large mutual fund that rigorously pursued a bias toward social responsibility. In this way he felt he was assisting others, the investors in the fund, to carry out their task of stewardship.
It is not a far-fetched claim that Growth Through Learning is likewise engaged in a task of assisting others in their efforts to be good stewards. According to its mission statement GTL "seeks to provide and enhance educational opportunities for deserving East Africa women and girls." Since its inception in July of 1997 GTL has worked hard to be a worthy partner in your work of stewardship. During the first year 12 scholarships were granted; during the current year 96 young women are in school with your assistance. Four scholarship coordinators on site in East Africa make sure that the monies donated actually end up in the service of young women who are in need and who are able to benefit from schooling. Even as GTL has grown and seen its expenses increase, nearly ninety cents out of very dollar received goes to the young women in need.
We think GTL has achieved a good track record as a capable and trustworthy partner. We appreciate your past support. Believing that you agree with our assessment of the record of GTL, we are made bold to make two requests of you. First, in view of the immense need for educational assistance in East Africa, we ask you to please review your stewardship, and if it appears advisable, to entrust us with further resources.
Secondly, we ask you to extend our offer of partnership in stewardship to your friends and acquaintances who might be able to help. You can make this offer either directly, or by providing names and addresses to GTL at the address listed above. Please help us to share the resources with which our country has been so abundantly blessed.
Clyde Pax, Ph.D.
From the President
Over the course of the past couple of years, I have had occasion to read several articles about education and its importance in shaping the course of world affairs. It is extremely interesting that virtually all of these articles discuss women's education, and how vital is in aiding poor countries to improve their living conditions.
In a recent N.Y. Times article by Gene Sperling it was stated that around the world there are 125 million children between the ages of 6 and 11 who are out of school. There are multiple reasons for this, including lack of school facilities, qualified teachers, textbooks, as well as the parent's inability to pay for school fees, uniforms, and transportation. In twelve nations in sub-Saharan Africa fewer than half of 8-year-olds are enrolled in school.
Another article published recently in the Boston Globe stated that the United Nations estimates that there are 113 million children not in school around the world. Obviously the exact number is impossible to determine. Yet it is clear that the problem is enormous. In addition to the reasons stated above there are also cultural and religious obstacles to be considered.
It has been my experience in the countries of East Africa that education is becoming more and more recognized as the single most important issue in order to fight poverty, starvation, and disease. Further, it is girl's education that is highest in priority. Denying a girl an education is self-defeating, at best, and this fact is becoming universally recognized.
Studies have consistently shown that educated women have smaller families, longer life expectancies, better health, higher incomes, and a more fulfilling life. We should note that in this country we consider education as a way toward a satisfying career. In the poor countries education often means the difference between life and death.
The cost projections for universal education are huge. The United Nations Children's Fund estimates that an additional $9.1 billion would be needed each year in order to reach a goal of universal education by the year 2015. Currently, the United States is providing just $150-$200 million annually toward education in poor countries. I personally find this to be unconscionable.
 Jennifer Sedawa |
It would be easy to review these estimates and throw up one's hands in despair and frustration. What difference does a small non-profit organization like Growth Through Learning actually make? Well, the answer is simple. Each girl that we can keep in school for as long as possible is potentially one less tragedy waiting to happen. Think about your own daughters and consider how inadequately prepared for life they are at the ages of 12-18. Further, consider the benefits to the family that an educated woman can contribute. Even if she cannot afford to send her own children to school, she can at least teach them at home if she is educated herself. In just a few years the significance of the "multiplier effect " could be enormous!
I have now visited the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda on several occasions. Each time I am more convinced than ever of the importance of women's education, and in many instances it is the fathers who are thanking us for supporting their daughter's education. Attitudes in third world countries are changing, and we can all take pride in our contribution toward making the world a little bit better than before.
In Arusha, Tanzania we are supporting Jennifer Sedawa who is attending a computer school called the Jr. Institute of Technology. Both Jennifer and her student advisor, Farheena Sumra, were most expressive of their gratitude, and further, how appreciative her father is for our help. Jennifer is a day student, and it is all the family can do to provide her with transportation money.
Roger L. Whiting
 Rachel T. Nanteza |
The Growth of Rachel
During the winter of 1998 we were contacted by a donor from Ohio. He told us about a 13 year-old orphan girl named Rachel. She was in her last year of primary school and was going to be sent home if she did not receive help in paying her school fees. Rachel lived with her poor grandmother when not in school, and there was simply no money available for education.
We had no intention of initiating scholarships in Uganda so soon. However, here was a case where help was desperately needed. We were put in touch with Sr. Immaculate Nassuuna, a catholic nun who had taken an interest in Rachel. With Sr. Immaculate's help we arranged a full scholarship.
GTL had quickly accomplished two things: we had begun to offer scholarship aid to the girls of Uganda, and we had established a reliable contact there in Sr. Immaculate, who became our Scholarship Coordinator in that country. We are now sponsoring 26 girls and young women there.
Now, Rachel has grown up to become a beautiful young lady. She is enrolled in her third year at St. Joseph Girl's Secondary school and is performing well. We can only wonder what would have happened to Rachel if we had not been able to help. Her gratitude, and that of her grandmother, was so obvious when I last visited them in Kampala. In fact, when Rachel came into the principal's office where I was waiting for her, she literally ran right into my arms. It would be hard to imagine a greater reward.
Roger L. Whiting
Last modified: Oct 19, 2003, 14:01 EDT