Iva Werner Primary School, Kibidula

The school was built in 2004 with funding from Mrs. Iva Werner. This is where the school got its name from. In 2007 it was officially registered as a Tanzanian English Medium Primary School. Since then we have been four teachers working at the school, and other Kibidula staff has been volunteering in teaching gardening and music. We have seen 8 students graduate, and many more enrolling. We have also seen God’s abundant blessing in providing for our needs both spiritually and physically. To work with children is a mission field in itself, and we cannot help them the way we need without the Holy Spirit’s power and help.

Our school is a day school targeting staff children from Kibidula and children from the nearby villages. In 2011 we have a total of 81 students. They are spread out from pre-school up to Standard 7. (Grades 1-7 are called Standards 1-7 here.) The school strives to give good Christian education and is based on the principles of the Seventh day Adventist church. The main goal of the school is to help the children know Jesus as their personal Saviour. Our school is also what we call an “English medium school.” That means that we mainly teach in English. This is useful for the children as all Secondary Schools in Tanzania use English as their first language.

In 2010 we were blessed with an additional classroom block. The original school building has only three classrooms, and this was becoming tight. Therefore the help from a group from the Czech Republic was a big answer to prayers. They started building and funding the new classrooms, and since then a lot of hard work has been put into finishing it. It is now ready to use as soon as our new desks and chairs arrive.

Current activities: In April 2011 we went to two different camps. The students from Standard 4, 5 and 7 went to the village of Ikweha, and Standard 1, 2 and 3 went to the village of Nyololo Shuleni. This is something the children look forward to all year. The ones who are back from camp already ask, “Where will we go next year?” It is a great way of getting to know the children better, and they also get to be involved in telling others the good news about Jesus. This year our theme is “Going to the promised land.” It is focusing on the Israelites journey from Egypt, and comparing it with our own journey to heaven.

Needs

An industry to help support our school. We give free education to our students, since most are village children who would struggle to come otherwise. Now we are therefore dependent on support from friends of the school to run it. Ideas, help and prayers to help us establish an industry are very welcome.

Teachers: We are looking for an English Primary School teacher.

Prayer. Consider adding us to your prayer ministry. The work of God goes forward when his people unite in prayer. Pray for the conversion of all our students, and that they will catch on fire for Christ.

Head Mistress: Hanne Lise Vik
Principal: Sylvester Temboh