6. To date, only 5% of the Tanzanian female population is attending secondary school, and only a very small minority of this 5% comes from low socio-economic backgrounds. Until very recently it was illegal for young mothers to attend schooling. Although the law has changed, these girls still face huge amounts of stigmatization
7. Mission To assist females who face gender-based and economic injustices in realizing their potential and living dignified and self-reliant lives in Ifakara, Tanzania.
8. Motivation We believe in education as vital to re-establishing self-confidence and enabling self-empowerment in young mothers, many of whom are faced with disrespect and stigmatization from the community, and even within their families.
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10. Bakhita Girls Scholarship Program The Bakhita Girls Project is a non-profit organization which provides access to secondary school education for young mothers and underprivileged girls in Ifakara, Tanzania. We identify the neediest girls in the community and provide scholarships which pay for the fees and supplies required for them to attend local Tanzanian secondary schools.
11. Our scholarships target girls who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds and lack access to basic education. We select our students based on a survey of household socioeconomic status (developed by the Tanzanian National Health and Demographics survey)
12. We employ a counselor who provides our students with academic and extracurricular support for the duration of their schooling.
13. Regina Regina comes from a small village outside Ifakara After completing primary school Regina’s family refused to pay for more schooling. After she became pregnant, her father threw her out. The father and his family refused to help her. Regina’s father hesitantly took her in and punished her by mistreating her When Regina heard about the BakhitaGirls Program, the father’s family reluctantly agreed to take care of her baby while she went to school.
14. Maria Maria’s father but was unable to pay and Maria was forced to leave school. In August 2010 she became a Bakhita Girl and has excelled academically Now she attends Bravo Secondary School She has also increasingly become recognized as a class representative of her fellow students. Maria participated in a National Debate Competition that was aired on Tanzanian National Television.
15. How can you help? Become a Bakhita Girls Sponsor for 27 Euro a month (or 324 euros a year)! You will receive pictures and progress reports
17. Give a girl confidence through giving her access to secondary school education! Photographs by Patricia Schneidewind Visit www.bakhitagirls.com or contact patricia@bakhitagirls.com for more information
