From the very beginning, the nuns have been particularly committed to the schooling of children. Accordingly, an integrative school on the site in Chabalisa is the heart of the center, which is specially adapted to the needs of the sick children. For most affected children, attending a government school is not possible.

Often, the daily commute to school is insurmountable for many of the physically impaired children, or the regular teaching structure makes it impossible for the sick children to follow the teaching content. However, good school education often paves the way for a self-determined life and leads to improved opportunities for the future.

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Since there have so far been few integrative educational opportunities in Tanzania, the nuns used the funds provided by the local government in 2013 to build a school building in Chabalisa.

This only comprises two, albeit very spacious, classrooms. According to the state requirements that are placed in a private integrative educational institution, the school must have at least six classrooms and a teacher room. In addition, barrier-free sanitary facilities must be provided for the students.

Accordingly, after the completion of the school building erected in 2013, the sisters were unable to start school.

 

In order to create the prerequisites for a timely school start, Move-ING campaigned at the end of 2018 for the construction of the missing required premises and their financing. Thanks to our generous supporters, the costs of a total of 35,000 euros were covered in a short time.

In spring 2019, the construction of a large school building could finally begin.

We commissioned the locally renowned civil engineer Proches Mwemezi to plan and build the school building. He has the necessary qualifications and is already very familiar with the implementation of such construction projects. By commissioning Proches, we would like to strengthen local structures in accordance with the guiding principle of “helping people to help themselves”. This is how we want to avoid initiative being undermined or jobs being lost to us.

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During the planning and construction phase we were in regular contact, both with the commissioned engineer and with the religious community. Important decision questions were always discussed together. It was of great importance that the previously agreed construction contract was observed. The school building was completed within six months and includes the four other necessary classrooms and a teacher's room. A barrier-free veranda connects the new building with the existing building.

As an integrative institution, the school should not only enable sick children to attend school, but also those children who come from extremely poor backgrounds and for whom school attendance has so far been impossible due to a lack of family income.

 

During our second official project trip in June 2019, we were able to convince ourselves of the construction success. At that time, local master carpenters were making the necessary school furniture. After this was also completed in autumn 2019, the nuns received the necessary state approval in early 2020 to officially start schooling.

We are also excited about the agreement the Sister Order has with the local government. Teaching positions that cannot be filled by the sisters themselves are funded by the government. In addition, the government has contractually pledged to help finance the children's daily meals.

The measures in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic have made the planned start of school impossible for the time being.

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