These pupils all started their secondary education in January 2025 thanks to the generous sponsorship of our supporters.

Joseph Lemomo. He is from a family of four children, three boys and one girl. His father has been in prison for a long time, and his mother sells milk for an income. Joseph would like to be a soldier one day. He was educated at Meserani Juu Primary School, and was selected to start Engutoto Boys’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025 – his sponsor is  Steven Travers, who met Joseph in January 2025, and said, “Even though I was born in London and have lived most of my life in England, I grew up in Ireland (North) and identify as an Irishman. I live in Leeds now and have been with my wife for 25 years. We have three kids in the latter stages of second and third level education so I understand the challenges that kids have with that in the UK, let alone in places like Tanzania where the investment may not be the same. I am delighted to have the opportunity to help Joseph and I am sure that he will succeed. I think I am a good judge of character and Joseph give the impression of a child that wants to do that. I’m also a keen football fan and player and I noticed Joseph’s skills with a ball when we had a kick about when we met.”

Leah Shongon. She is from a family of six children, two boys and four girls, and is the second born. Her father is a watchman, and her mother cuts grass to sell at the market. Leah would like to be a nurse one day. She was educated at Losingira Primary School, and was selected to start at Irkisongo Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025 – her sponsor is Penny Manuel, a member of Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club.

Mathayo Saitabau. He is from a family of five children, three boys and two girls, and is the first born. His father is a watchman, and his mother is unemployed. Mathayo would like to be a soldier one day. He was educated at Losingira Primary School, and was selected to start at Manyara Boys’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. His sponsor is Oliver James, who met Mathayo in January 2025, and said, “It was a privilege to meet Mathayo and give him the opportunity to go to school for a relatively low amount. To see the excitement in his and his dads eyes at the future opportunities this could give him was unforgettable. I gave him a Barcelona Messi top which he wore with pride and then we had a kick around with a tennis ball. Really looking forward to catching up with Mathayo in the future and seeing how he’s settling in to secondary school!.”

Nangututi Saruni. She is from a family of seven children, five boys and two girls, and is the last born. Her father is very old, and her mother is unemployed. Nangututi would like to be a teacher one day. She was educated at Meserani Chini Primary School, and was selected to start at Nanja Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsor is Kevin Sharp, who met Nangututi in January 2025, and said, “Whilst attending the VMO2 Jan 2025 trip to Tanzania in support of the Meserani Project we had the opportunity to sponsor a child and help them to stay in education. I hope for such a small donation this will give the child the opportunity to continue in education, to stay safe and open new doors for a brighter future.”

Neema Frank. She is from a family of four children, three girls and one boy, and is the second  born. Both her parents are unemployed. Neema would like to be a soldier one day. She was educated at Losingira Primary School, and was selected to start at Lowasa Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsor is Karen Davison, from Stockton on Tees.

Primness Emmanuel. She is from a family of four children, all girls, and she is the second born. Both her parents are unemployed. Primness would like to be a doctor one day. She was educated at Sokoine Primary School, and was sleceted to start at Meserani Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsor is Matthew Short, who met Primness in Janaury 2025, and said, “I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to sponsor Primness. It was fantastic to meet her and I could quickly determine she has lots of drive, is very clever and has a great sense of humour. I hope we can help her fulfil her ambitions of becoming a doctor and serving others in Tanzania. Good luck Primness, we are all cheering you on from the UK“.

Rose Losikito. She is from a family of five children, one boy and four girls, and is the third born. Her father is unemployed and her mother collects milk to sell in the rest houses in the local village. Rose would like to be a nurse one day. She was educated at Meserani Juu Primary Schol, and was selected to start at Irkisongo Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsors are Alan and Beverley Clifton, from Middlesbrough Erimus Rotary Club. Beverley has now retired as a Deputy Head teacher in a Secondary School. She spent all her working career as a teacher. Alan has also retired after working as a teacher, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education and in local Children’s Services. Beverley and Alan have two grown up sons.

Samira Huseni. She has one sister, and is the first born. Her father has passed away, and her mother sells tea to survive. Samira would like to be a dentist one day. She was educated at Sokoine Primary School, and was selected to start at Kipok Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsor is Paul Edwards, Director of Field Engineering & Operations at VirginmediaO2, who met Samira in January 2025. Paul says, “Since becoming a father, I have seen first-hand the value and opportunities that education brings to young people and it’s so often something that many of us take for granted, not realising the privilege that education is. I was honoured to have had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks supporting this incredible charity and be part of something greater than myself. It’s not often that you can see directly where every pound raised is spent and it truly has such an impact and makes a huge difference. Since returning, I am fully committed to continuing to help the charity however I can. Sponsoring Samira to enable her to have everything she needs for 4 years in secondary education was a very easy decision having seen the outcome of others who have had this opportunity first hand. It’s a very small commitment for such a huge outcome and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again and encourage anyone reading this to consider doing the same. I was lucky enough to meet Samira who was full of life, ambition and smiles as well as being humble and grateful and I have no doubt she will embrace the opportunity this gives her. I can’t wait to get back in touch at the earliest opportunity and see how she is doing.”

Stella Sainyeye. She is from a family of five children, two boys and three girls, and is the last born. Her father has passed away due to old age, and her mother is disabled. Stella would like to be a doctor one day. She was educated at Losingira Primary School, and was selected to start at Irkisongo Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsor is Victoria Hale, a Project Manager from Luton, who met Stella in January 2025, and said, “I’m very passionate about being able to support students in pursuing an education to better themselves. It was a pleasure to be able to meet the children and take part in supporting the project.“

Swahiba Chepal. She is from a family of five children, four boys and one girl, and is the last born. Both her parents are unemployed. Swahiba would like to be a doctor one day. She was educated at Losingira Primary School, and was selected to start at Kazime Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, starting in January 2025. Her sponsor is Victoria Hale, a Project Manager from Luton, who met Swahiba in January 2025, and said, “I’m very passionate about being able to support students in pursuing an education to better themselves. It was a pleasure to be able to meet the children and take part in supporting the project.“