Indigenous Education Foundation of Tanzania Preserving the Past and Ensuring the Future Through Education

IEFT is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States, Tax ID #20-4408954.

IEFT is a registered non-governmental organization in the United Republic of Tanzania, NGO #01NGO/0638.

Orkeeswa Secondary School
Student Profiles

Lepillal Aloyce, 16

Lepillal makes it known that his favorite activity at Orkeeswa is to play soccer! From the Maasai tribe, his favorite subjects are math and all the sciences. When he grows up, he wants to be the President of Tanzania! Lepillal has three sisters and four brothers. He was selected to join Moita Secondary School but was unable to continue his coursework because his family could not afford the school fees.

Why he likes Orkeeswa: "I like the environment here - the teachers are very good because they have taught us to speak English very quickly. Also, the fees are affordable. Orkeeswa provides everything needed including good food every day and uniforms, and our health is cared for."

Anna Denis, 17

Anna is from the Meru tribe and her favorite subjects at Orkeeswa are English, Geography and Kiswahili. She also likes to play tag and netball. Anna wants to be a lawyer when she grows up! She lives with her aunt, as her father and mother both passed away in 2006 from HIV/AIDS, and her uncle passed away in 2004. Anna has two sisters and two brothers and was selected to join Engutoto Secondary School but her family was unable to afford the school fees.

Why she likes Orkeeswa: "I like that the buildings are sturdy, the food is good and the organization buys our uniforms and school supplies. I also like that the teachers do not hit the students."

Mary Tumaini, 18

Mary's favorite subject in school is Geography and she enjoys playing netball and singing. Mary wants to be a teacher when she grows up! She lives with her grandmother as her parents passed away. Mary has one sister and five brothers. She finished primary school in 2007 but could not attend a local secondary school because her grandmother couldn't afford the school fees.

Why she likes Orkeeswa: "I like that teachers use teaching aids and the participatory method so students understand what is being taught. I also like receiving lunch each day."

Isdori Nicodemus, 18

Isdori likes to play soccer and kickball and wants to be a pilot when he grows up! He has four brothers and two sisters. Isdori was selected to attend Nanja Secondary School in 2007 but his family was unable to afford fees.

Why he likes Orkeeswa: "I like Orkeeswa because I received new shoes, pens and books. I also like the low school fees."

Anna Daniel, 16

Anna is a student from the Pare tribe. She enjoys all the sciences as well as Swahili and English, and wants to be a pilot or a lawyer when she grows up. Anna's parents passed away in 2005 from HIV/AIDS and she now lives with a with her sister and two brothers and a surogate family.

Why she likes Orkeeswa: "I like the teachers and the way they teach the subjects!"

Seuri Denis, 19

Seuri's favorite subjects are Math, Science and History. He likes to play soccer and wants to be a doctor when he grows up. Seuri has lived with his older brother since his father and mother passed away when he was very young. To help support his other brother and sister, Seuri buys and sells chickens and goats at a market on the weekends. He was selected to Ole Sokoine Secondary School but was told to leave the school when he was unable to pay the required fees.

Why he likes Orkeeswa: "I like going to Orkeeswa because I will get enough knowledge to help my family. The school also helped me with a uniform that my family did not have money to buy."

To sponsor a student at Orkeeswa Secondary School costs just US$100 per month for FULL Sponsorship, and just US$50 per month for a HALF Sponsorship!

Learn More Sponsor A Student Now

"It really is a great school because it provides education to children who do not have parents and do not have the money to pay for school fees at other secondary schools in the area."

- Noisho'oki Meleta, Parent