Facts: Uganda
Location: East Africa
Population: 31,367,972
Median age: 15.0 years
Population Growth Rate: 3.603%
Life expectancy: 52.34 years
GDP per capita: $900
% living in poverty: 35%
Facts: Tanzania
Location: Eastern Africa
Population: 40,213,162
Median age: 17.8 years
Population Growth Rate: 2.072%
Life expectancy: 51.45 years
GDP per capita: $1,300
% living in poverty: 36%
Source: CIA World Factbook
Abid's Trip
On June 26, Abid Virani (Student Reach Co-Founding Chair) left Canada for a 6 week trip to Africa, where he will be visiting Uganda and Tanzania. Abid will visit Uganda for the first 10 days of his trip, before heading to Tanzania for the remainder of his summer.
Tanzania: Mbaruku Primary School
When Abid arrives in Tanzania, he will volunteer his time at the Mbaruku Primary School by teaching children and assisting teachers. The goal of the school is "to promote and facilitate access to local education for all children of the community and to enable our pupils to acquire knowledge and skills in educational, cultural and social activities, according to the norms accepted in society; to improve and promote teachers’ academic welfare through seminars and special courses (e.g. computers)."
Mbaruku is a primary school for children aged 4-14 years old. Currently, the school has 447 students. The classes are broken down into: Pre-school (4-6 years), Primary education (7-14 years), Subjects include: Mathematics, English, Geography, Civics, Swahili, History, Science and Social Studies.
Some of Abid's duties include:
- Teach English, mathematics, reading and writing
- Teach sports, games and songs, arts and crafts
- Help assess the development and progress of students (help create testing procedures)
- Organize projects and activities for the children.
- Work with the teacher to develop primary school activities and materials that can be used for years to come (using creativity to create things with little supplies and modern equipment)
Blogs
As I Listen To Singing Voicesposted by Abid Virani @ 10:38 AM EDT, Thursday July 10, 2008 SR's Abid Virani in Tanzania I am sitting in an internet cafe in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. This morning was typical, I woke up and got ready for yet another incredible day. There was no disappointment, if anything, it was one of the best. I went to Mlingutini Primary School quite far away from Bagamoyo and walked into an eager classroom. As us volunteers organized ourselves, a young three year old stumbled into the room and sat next to a young girl, who was easy assumed as an older sibling. When we started the class, the girl, Wa, had her younger brother go outside. I didn't think much of it until recess. |
"... And People Need Help."posted by Abid Virani @ 10:50 AM EDT, Sunday June 29, 2008 SR's Abid Virani in Uganda While touring through Kampala today, I found myself at the top of a mosque tower. From there, three young girls were waving to me. I waved back and gave a huge smile, it was an exciting moment. Then, the girls started running towards the mosque. I looked at Kaserra and asked, can we go meet them? He said of course and we spiraled our way back down the stairs. We met the girls and, fortunately, one of them spoke quite good English. |
Bright Futureposted by Abid Virani @ 12:48 PM EDT, Saturday June 28, 2008 SR's Abid Virani in Uganda Wow. So, I am in Africa. The journey here was long, tiring, but exciting. It wasn't until half way through my flight to Dubai that I thought to myself, "I'm a world away from home." I travelled in peace though, knowing that I was only a phone call away from home. Although I am on my own during this trip, more now then ever do I realize that this is an experience for my friends and family as well. |
Understanding Worryposted by Abid Virani @ 1:45 PM EDT, Wednesday June 18, 2008 This was written on December 19th, 2007: |
Read the Student Reach Blog
Leave Abid a Message
On behalf of Student Reach, Abid thanks you for your outpouring of support. For more information about Abid's trip, please read the Student Reach blog.
