In 2004 we started an agricultural training program, which serves the educational needs of adolescent villagers of the surrounding area. It is funded primarily by Reach-Switzerland and has an enrollment of 45 students. The aim of this school is to train young people from the local community in agriculture – the ABC of Education. The training equips them with tools that will enable them to improve the local farming economy when they return to their home villages.

Program outline at the present:
* 2-year program
* Work study training in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
* Additional practical training in carpentry and tailoring
* Trade tests grades III to I from VETA (Vocational Education Authority of Tanzania)

An outstanding feature of this program is the educational housing unit – a dormitory adapted to the educational need of the student – designed to allow cross-cultural exposure and to facilitate agricultural production. These farm units are practically self-supplying.

The activities include:
* Classes in English, General topics, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Beekeeping, Horticulture
* Practical work: field crops, gardening, beekeeping, keeping of small farm animals
* Seminars on Health and Family life
* Choir, Sports, Devotions

The school year starts in August, Graduation is mid-June, followed by the entrance interviews for the new intake.

Program director: Jean-Luc Waber
Assistant and Head-teacher: Egar Emily Shitundu
Teachers and group leaders: Hosea Mapile, Julius Lung’ali, Lupyana Gwasa, Christina Chalamila

REACH-Switzerland