A week at Marie Nursery School offered an inspiring view of daily school life, community celebrations and the practical challenges still to be solved.
A Week in Chikola
In February 2025, Marie-Rose and two friends spent a full week at the school. The new bus collected them in Dodoma, and children and teachers welcomed them with singing. In the classrooms they met active, eager pupils and saw the daily rhythm of learning, rest and outdoor play.
The New Hall and School Lunch
The new hall proved invaluable: cross-ventilation, a high ceiling and fans kept it pleasantly cool. Meanwhile, Dina and Sofia prepared lunch for around 80 children over an open wood fire. Teachers reported that learning had improved greatly since school lunches began.
Celebration and Community
The children proudly demonstrated their English, counting and singing. A local women’s dance group performed to drums, fathers joined a playful blindfolded activity, and community members thanked supporters while asking that the school continue to grow.
Practical Improvements
The visitors bought better pencils, sharpeners, drawing pads, waste bins and materials to repair schoolbooks. A simple sunshade for the cooks was started, and village youth repaired the badly damaged access road using funded materials.
Literacy and Future Classrooms
The women’s literacy class was a special highlight. Tekla supported participants in reading, writing and finding ways to contribute to family income. A new foundation donation also allowed work to begin on another classroom, with the goal of creating two rooms for the next school year.
Planned Projects
- Solar panels for the large hall
- A simple kitchen and water tank
- Rainwater collection from the hall roof
- Further playground expansion
