KIWOCE NGO
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Originally registered as the Kilimahewa Women and Orphan's Centre for Education, an organization with a mission to serve vulnerable youth, KIWOCE has helped countless post-primary teens and young adults since 2008 to secure a future through its Center, officially registered as the KIWOCE Open School in 2016.
As of Spring 2021, however, the property owner on which KIWOCE Open School operates and EdPowerment's partner in this educational endeavor, announced that she is converting to a formal, private Kilimahewa Modern Secondary School under her ownership. This will change the school's mission, its population, and its management and academic systems.
This change in status has prompted EdPowerment's decision to refocus our efforts on our sponsorship program and other educational projects that build the skills of underserved young adults.
EdPowerment is continuing to fund the teachers and administrative staff of the now former KIWOCE Open School until year-end 2021, so that the current students can complete their academic year and take National Form 2 and 4 Exams. However, we no longer have any input into the overall management of the school.
We are grateful for all the lives whose futures were transformed in so many ways either through the Center/School's QT/PC (secondary equivalency program), computer training program, THRIVE programs for secondary and high school graduates, other short courses, library, clubs and even the amazing Camps open to community teens. In our 11 years of support, KIWOCE was an educational oasis that offered young people hope where there was none and the skills training needed to secure lives of dignity and promise.
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. EdPowerment continues to fund the staff and the Boys and Girls Club for the remainder of 2021. 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
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
Godlisten Malle, Headmaster, Math Teacher
Frank Fidas, ICT and Business Relations
Dickson Emmannuel, Academic Master, Liberal Arts Teacher, Library Manager and Coach
Rebecca Kamogu,
Lead Language Teacher
Erast August, Science Teacher & IT Assistant, Leader Interact Club
Veronica Gaspar, Languages Teacher, Library Assistant & Girls Club Director
Ally Hassan, Sciences Teacher & Registration
Florian Mallya, Civics & Geography Teacher, Agricultural Project Mgr.
Through EdPowerment, KIWOCE has been supported by the following organizations:
