My wife and I started sponsoring Shakainah when he was seven. For 10 years, monthly payments were made, gifts sent, letters received. We met him three times on our regular visits. He seemed very shy.
A year ago Happiness Wambura called with fantastic news: Shakainah was accepted into college! Not just any college: but the TASUBA film and video school. This is important because I’ve been a photographer and videographer for 35 years.
We were invited to take him to the college campus in Bagamoyo, an eight-hour bus ride from Camp Joshua School. Yes! In Arusha, Shakainah and I worked for several days learning camera basics at Camp Joshua School. Then on the bus ride to Bagamoyo, I peppered Shakainah with details of the Canon camera and laptop donated for him.
Shakainah is now in his second semester. His progress is remarkable. He posts thoughtful, well-composed still images on his social media; he shares Premiere Pro sequences as well that show his classwork. And he is running with a great cohort of Tanzanian young people, learning about film and other creative disciplines at a terrific arts college.
He called me in May simply to say hello. You could say we’ve bonded. I asked him how he was doing and he said in his best English: “I am so fine.”
Twelve LOHADA students attend colleges across Tanzania, from University of Dar Es Salaam to technical colleges in rural areas. They’re studying to be teachers, IT specialists, pharmacists and film makers.
College fees, room and board and other expenses range from about $1,000 to $1,500 each year. Providing these funds results in the culmination of our work at LOHADA: to make students poised, self-sufficient and impactful members of their communities.
If you would like to sponsor a college student, donate below, or contact me at doralchenoweth@gmail.com. We will send you a bio sheet with several students who are in need of sponsors.