Newsletters: Volume 2 - Spring 1998
 Rachel Nanteza, Uganda |
Twelve Scholarships Awarded
In recent months Growth Through Learning has awarded scholarships to twelve girls and young women in East Africa. Applications from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda were reviewed by the board of directors, and twelve young women and girls were approved to receive scholarships that are now making it possible for them to continue their schooling. In view of the enormous number of women and girls who need assistance, twelve is not a large number. Still, it is a start; and we are proud to have made a good beginning.
GTL Now at Home in East Africa
With two recipients of scholarships in Kenya, one in Uganda and nine in Tanzania, GTL has moved into all three countries of East Africa. "This is great and surprising," says President Roger Whiting. "It happened much more quickly than we had expected. Of course, we are delighted with the accomplishment."
Liaison in Dar es Salaam
Mr. Josiah Muganda, living in Dar es Salaam and a long time friend and helper of GTL, has taken on the role of liaison person in the Dar area. Josiah is a retired minister and educator and has been very helpful in directing applications to GTL from girls in the Dar region. His responsibilities will be to continue to uncover and encourage applicants, to assist them in their applications and make sure their applications are complete. He will also coordinate scholarship awards and monitor student's progress.
Meanwhile President Whiting and other members of the board continue to develop further contacts in both Tanzania and Kenya.
Sister Clare Joins Board of Directors
In late 1997 Sr Clare Tjader, R.A. joined the board of directors of GTL. Sr Clare has spent nearly a quarter of a century in the central administration of the congregation known as the Religious of the Assumption. The congregation operates schools and houses of instruction in many parts of the world, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Sister Clare brings first hand knowledge of life in East Africa as well as a wealth of administrative experience and ability. She is currently working at Assumption College and giving courses in spirituality in various countries around the world. We welcome Sr. Clare aboard and look forward to working with her.
 Subira Ayubu, Arusha Tanzania Age 15 |
The Need is Great
A report from a recent meeting of the African Policy Information Center (APIC), based in Chicago, contains the following quote:
"The single most important investment a country can make is in the education of its people. In an increasingly knowledge-intensive global economy, where human resources are of greater importance, access to education is becoming a central determinant of economic growth and poverty."
Sadly, half of all African children do not attend primary school and Africa is the only developing region in which school enrollment rates are actually declining. Currently, 44 million African primary school aged children do not go to school; that figure is expected to rise to 59 million by the year 2000.
Letter from the President
To all those who have supported Growth Through Learning in the past I offer my heartfelt thank you, thank you, thank you!Since our organization became formalized in July of 1997 we have worked very hard toward achieving our goal of sponsoring young women and girls to a further education. This involved two basic steps: First, we needed to initiate a vigorous fund raising effort in order to collect the needed resources. Considering the relatively short time-span available, I am most pleased with the results. To date we have received 63 generous gifts totaling over $7,000. Second, we needed to solicit applications for scholarships from schools, religious groups, and concerned individuals. Again we were successful as over 23 applications and inquiries have been processed.
The school year in Africa begins in January. Consequently the time available to us was only 6 months if we were to attain our goal. Well, we did it! Growth Through Learning is now providing scholarship aid to 12 young women, one in Uganda, two in Kenya, and 9 in Tanzania. They are all attending either a secondary high school or vocational school in their home countries. Further, none of these girls families could afford the school fees, tuition, supplies, etc., without our help.
 Florence Kiragu Nyamu and Roger Whiting |
Two weeks ago, I met with Florence Kiragu Nyamu of Nairobi, Kenya who holds a Ph. D. from Harvard University. Florence is Educational Program Coordinator for FAWE, an African women's advocacy program. She is our Kenyan contact, and has already assisted GTL in awarding scholarships to two Kenyan girls.
So, what have we accomplished? With the help of your generosity we are making a difference, small to be sure, but a difference nonetheless. Beyond the basics of food, shelter, and medical care, we perceive two basic long term needs in East Africa, economic development and stable governments. In order to achieve those goals a huge investment is required - a monetary investment in infrastructure, plant and equipment, and a simultaneous investment in education for its people. Without education little else is possible.
The past several months have been extremely rewarding for the Board of Directors and me, personally. As an example, here are two quotes from letters I have received from grateful mothers; "Now Subira is at school. May our God bless you all for your kindness," and, "Thanks for the good heart you have to the needy new generation. May God bless your work." These are beautiful sentiments, and it gives me great pleasure to pass them along to all of you who have made this possible.
- Roger L. Whiting, President
Last modified: May 11, 2003, 19:16 EDT