FACT: Less than 5% of Tanzanians have access to
          secondary education.                - World Bank Database

   
IEFT was founded in 2005 as a collaborative effort between Tanzanian and American volunteer teachers. The founders were inspired by the intensely motivated students in the rural area of Monduli, Tanzania and were compelled to make a difference in the lives of under-served children.

The average age of a child entering secondary school in Tanzania is 13. Studies show that the choices a girl in the developing world makes between the ages of 12 and 14 will determine the course of the rest of her life - whether she drops out of school, is forced in to an early marriage and continues the cycle of poverty for her next generation; or she enters secondary school, receives a quality education, allowing her to learn the skills she needs to support her family, marry at a later age, better care for her children, reduce the spread of STD's and help break the cycle of poverty. After seeing how difficult it is for the students in rural Tanzania to continue their education beyond primary school, the founders committed to working solely in the secondary school sector.

A Community-Based Model for Success.
IEFT has constructed and operates Orkeeswa Secondary School (OSS) in Lashaine Village, 7 kilometers outside of Monduli town. The school currently has 80 dedicated students between the ages of 14-21 years old. Working with local and volunteer teachers and staff from around the world, IEFT provides these children with a high quality education and a remarkable school experience. The difference between Orkeeswa Secondary School and many other NGO-based projects, is that IEFT works alongside villagers in the development of the school and locals take a front seat in determining its impact on the community.

IEFT's mission is to provide an affordable and quality secondary education to indigenous children in rural Tanzania, empowering them to positively transform their own lives, improve their communities and break the cycle of extreme poverty, while preserving their culture and traditions. IEFT plans to grow Orkeeswa Secondary School until it is a self-sustainable and community-run establishment that does not require external funding.

Meet our Staff

Meet our Students

IEFT Objectives:

• Increase the number of indigenous children attending secondary school in Tanzania by providing quality education that is affordable to local families.
  
  
• Provide students with clean water and nutritious food daily.
  
  
• To teach students and families within the community about nutrition, sustainable gardening practices and general animal husbandry.
  

• To provide health education and services to students and families within the community. This includes reproductive education, sex education (including HIV/AIDS prevention), and health education.
  
  
• To create environmental sustainability through sanitation, clean water and renewable energy resources.
  
  
• Introduce successful micro-finance initiatives to the local community to provide increased economic opportunities and sustainable funding for Orkeeswa Secondary School.

IEFT is currently funded by private donations through the efforts of staff and volunteers, but plans to make Orkeeswa Seconday School 100% self-sustainable through the community micro-finance initiatives in Lashaine and other economic avenues. Not only is the organization contributing directly to the education of children within this community, but also to the economic well-being of all members of the village.

To learn more, visit our Projects page.