A new school has opened its doors! After years of planning, fundraising and building, this new Christian secondary school for girls opened in Tarime in January.

Anglican Aid had been supporting the building of the school when Bishop Mwita Akiri visited Australia last year. He shared what was still needed to complete the construction. Praise God that Australian Christians responded and gave $234,260. The buildings are now ready, and the school has welcomed its first cohort of 14- and 15-year-old girls for the 2025 academic year.

A bumpy journey

The journey was not without challenges. Even as late as December last year, there was a shortage of electricity poles in Tanzania which delayed connection to the grid and the final stages of building were undertaken as the rainy season began. Praise God that these problems were overcome, and the school was able to welcome its first students in late January.

Tarime Girls Secondary School has opened.

Why is education such good news for girls in Tarime?

Bishop Mwita Akiri says that girls tend to be left behind in Tanzania. Some communities see them as second-class citizens and they often only complete primary school. But a secondary education will give them better employment opportunities and options besides child marriage.

Bishop Mwita also sees Christian secondary education as a way of combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice which is common in Tarime. At school, girls can be taught about the dangers of FGM. They can have confidence, knowing they have been made in God’s image, without needing to undergo this harmful procedure.

Bishop Mwita says that the effects of educating girls at Tarime will be felt beyond the school and into the future. “Education creates champions of change. If you train people, you educate them well, they know Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Mwita. “They then go to become messengers of the good news of Jesus Christ, people who can live their lives to the full, knowing Jesus Christ but also influencing others in society . . . Just imagine unleashing 800 girls into the community after some years to go and become agents of change.”

Give to our Back to School appeal to support education in East Africa.