Learning skills helps open new worlds

Apr 24
2 min read

During a 5-day workshop on conservation at Noloholo Environmental Center, students went on their first naturalist-guided walk.

Glory reported, “We learned bird identification by observing a bird’s size, shape and color and using the bird dictionary to find out the name.” They mastered identifying native trees and plants and saw wild animals for the first time. Simultaneously they were becoming more informed about climate change, the importance of conservation and the impact of human activity in the environment.

When it comes to education in Tanzania, there are many gaps in the curriculum for topics like climate change, sexual and reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and mental health.

At The Girls Center we provide a 6-month Gap Year Program at The Girls Center for students after they’ve graduated from secondary school and before matriculating to high school. Students participate in trainings in computer skills, first aid, sexual health, conservation, public speaking, sewing, and self-defense. Gap Girls also volunteer as Teacher Assistants at a local secondary school and at Babson College’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

After the 6-week training on sexual health, Gap Girls trained 5,590 students at 13 local secondary and high schools. They discussed changes that occur during puberty, menstrual hygiene, STI’s and HIV infections, safe relationships, as well as time management and goal setting for better study skills. Students ask many questions which Gap Girls address, debunking cultural myths and taboos. Gap Girls distributed 250 Girls Kits (reusable menstrual pads) they’d sewn.

A typical classroom in Tanzania doesn't have a computer. During their computer training we're building the necessary skills students need to navigate technology and to get the best out of it.

Gap Girls discover what they’re good at, what they’re passionate about and how fun teamwork can be during their Gap Year. They’re also developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through these project-based learning scenarios.

Thank you all for your support in helping us expand students' horizons and igniting the life-changing magic of learning new skills. Many thanks to Conservation Nation, which provided a grant to introduce conservation into our curriculum.