KIWOCE NGO

In May 2021 EdPowerment was informed that the KIWOCE Open School was changing in status to a formal private secondary school, the Kilimahewa Modern Secondary School. Because EdPowerment's mission is, and has always been, to serve vulnerable teenagers and young adults underserved by the formal system, our partnership will conclude at the end of 2021. Until then we continue to fund the School's staff and Boys and Girls Club and encourage the active learning strategies that have made the Open School such a successful and singular learning oasis.

We are grateful for the 11 year collaboration that has allowed hundreds of teens and other locals to achieve academically; learn vital healthy living, IT and practical skills; and above all, gain an understanding of their worth and potential as human beings.

HISTORY

KIWOCE (Kilimahewa Women’s and Orphan’s Center for Education), also referred to as Kilimahewa, began as a group of mamas from a subsistence farming community, who came together to find a way for their children – unable to attend formal schools – to keep learning. These women and their children gathered each day under a tree on the property of their leader, (Mama) Grace Lyimo.

From under the tree, instruction moved into a small two-room turquoise building on the property where volunteers (local and foreign) taught the children English and math. In 2010, KIWOCE’s future changed radically when three of these volunteers joined forces to make it a focal point of their newly-created 501-c3 non-profit, EdPowerment.

In 2011-2012, EdPowerment refurbished the original building, upgraded the outdoor patio to serve as additional classroom space, and funded a more sanitary toilet space. More importantly, EdPowerment financed a successful Water Project, critical for the Center’s growth.

From 2012 - 2015, funding from another US based non-profit, Go Campaign, for two classroom buildings, and a $53,000 Rotary Global Grant catapulted KIWOCE’s capacity. EdPowerment remained the engine behind its operations, staffing and educational schemes.

As 2021 began, KIWOCE/Kilimahewa was a vibrant Open School amd community outreach. However, in May EdPowerment was informed of a change in the Open School's status. Please see our announcement above. In Tanzania, these schools are sometimes called “Second Chance” schools. The truth is that KIWOCE was often the only chance school. For the past 11 years, Kilimahewa's staff - our partners in education - have worked to activate critical thinking, nurture positive behaviors and build the foundations that turned this second or only chance into productive futures.

CRITICAL Infrastructure

EdPowerment's focus is operational funding. We do not construct buildings. However, over time we have funded projects that we think are critical to the success of KIWOCE Open School (Kilimahewa). These projects facilitate the delivery of vital educational programs as sustainably as possible.

THE HOSTEL PROJECT: In January 2019, KIWOCE opened doors to a lovely second-floor girls’ hostel above one of its classroom buildings. In the past, distance and security concerns prevented many young women from attending the Center. A generous grant from the T&J Meyer Family Foundation and targeted support from EdPowerment accomplished this life-changing project.

The Kilimahewa Water Project

Blessed by a quick and successful bore hole drilling in 2011, the Kilimahewa Water Project, providing water for two 20,000 liter tanks, anchored development of the Center. In 2016, a complete solar refurbishment was undertaken to provide a more economical delivery system.

Other Key Projects

Clean, energy efficient and well-equipped classrooms with Internet Access. Desks, tables and chairs have been provided over 10 years to accommodate KIWOCE’s growing student enrollment.
Furnishings and reading materials for a Community Library including texts, review books, novels, newspapers and other reading materials in English and Kiswahili. The goal is to support and open learning for ALL.
A spacious kitchen and silo to prepare meals in an environmentally safe way and allow for optimum bulk purchases of beans and maize.
Three beautiful outdoor “study huts” with built-in seating for extended classes and informal tutoring and socializing
An environmentally clean incinerator, especially needed for waste from the Girls Hostel completed in 2019
A recreational field (to be reconstructed in 2021 because of other construction now in progress at the Center)
Outside handwashing stations for hygiene, funded during the COVID break.

Funded by EdPowerment, KIWOCE's teaching and administrative staff carry out the following programs that reflect our three cornerstones: Core Academics, Employability Skills and Personal Development.

Secondary School Equivalency Course

Many post-primary adolescents cannot continue in the Tanzanian secondary schools because of economic and other constraints. KIWOCE offers these youth another way to secure a recognized secondary school degree. Using diverse teaching strategies, hands-on and on-line educational tools, and individual attention, the Center works to (1) compensate for the deficits that most students have coming from poor areas with marginalized schools and (2) encourage mindsets that are open and able to learn. It also provides those who have failed National Form 2 and Form 4 exams a way to study and "resit" for these critical exams.

IT, Computer Training & Short Courses

EdPowerment structured KIWOCE’s first computer program in 2013 with an initial set of laptops, projector, software and instructional guides. In 2015, the program was taken to another level by a Rotary Global Grant that included complete Internet infrastructure and solar energy panels.

Today, through a range of computer and IT training options and other short courses – particularly English – KIWOCE targets under or unemployed young adults and workers who seek better prospects. Our impact stories attest to the very real change that our program can bring about in students’ lives. [See downloadable Impact stories]

Boys and Girls Club

Saturdays now offer KIWOCE students and neighboring teens inspiration, practical skills and an introduction to activities they have never encountered even within their own environment. Sessions range from Female Health and Positive Thinking Seminars to local craft/skill demonstrations. Visiting local entrepreneurs and professionals motivate these young people, coaching them on business-building activities and making them aware of “soft skills.”

Agricultural Projects

The local component of the Rotary Global Grant awarded KIWOCE began the Center's husbandry projects. In 2020 KIWOCE redeveloped its crop production projects to educate locals and students on ways to choose appropriate crops, maximize small plot output, and seek and access local markets. Partnerships with organizations such as SEVIA have helped KIWOCE provide advice and coaching to its students and the community.

Pre-Form One Course

Standard 7 students complete primary school in early September, taking the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Exam). KIWOCE offers these students (generally 12-14 years old) from neighboring schools an approximately 10-week program as they wait to join Secondary School the following January.

This Course reinforces English language and math concepts, introduces the computer, and covers other academics and skills-building - all at a manageable fee structure.

THRIVE (Pre-Form 5/Post Form 6) PROGRAM

Developed initially for our Sponsored Students, THRIVE was EdPowerment’s capstone program intended to boost the ability of Form 4 and Form 6 graduates to succeed in their next level of education, the workplace and independent living.

The program for Form 4 graduates waiting to take their next step includes:

raising the students’ literacy level and ability to use English in conversation and writing
improving use of IT and computers
building academic skills in the subjects that the students will study if posted to colleges or A Level High School
teaching life-skills and soft-skills needed for advancement.

The program for Form 6 graduates hoping to attend colleges and Universities focuses additionally on writing CV/resumes, developing skills for interviews and employment, and learning practical aspects of self-reliance such as money management.

The Kilimahewa Enrichment Camp

Each summer KIWOCE invites local secondary school students on the last week of semester break to enjoy hands-on learning and participate in 6 daily sessions: English, a math/science combo, healthy living, art and/or music, physical exercise and computers. Over 100 teenagers who come to the Camp experience a “fun” way to learn, using internet resources, classroom and field equipment and group activities. It’s only one week, but it exposes local teens to a place where they always can come to supplement their formal classes, lighting the spark of learning. In 2020, the Camp was suspended due to the COVID pandemic.

Staff

$EdPowerment$

Education that Empowers

KIWOCE NGO

HISTORY

CRITICAL Infrastructure