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History of the Kilimanjaro Nursery School
The Kilimanjaro English Nursery School is the brainchild of Edward Lazaro, a ZARA Kilimanjaro guide, who in the Moshi area is generally known as “Teacher”. In 1994 “Teacher” started using his leisure time to give free education to children aged three to eight, preparing them for secondary school. The school also provides education to older children whose families can not afford to send their children to the government primary schools. Even though the public school system is generally free, Tanzanian public schools expect certain contributions from the parents who additionally have to pay for their children’s consumables such as paper and pens, teacher costs, transportation to the school etc. Many families are not capable of affording the amount of money associated with the public schooling system - around $ 200 per year. Costs are a major obstacle for students to attend public secondary education, even if they pass the required entrance exam. Edward’s free school therefore is a welcomed option for them. Until the new school opens in May 2008, as a “classroom” Edward makes use of a simple outdoor space between two huts in the outskirts of Moshi - equipped only with 4
basic wooden long benches, a tin roof and a blackboard.
A short time after starting, Edward was faced with having more than 150 children between 2 and 14 sitting in front of him. He needed assistance and convinced his wife, his cousin and another woman to join him teaching at the school, giving them basic "teacher" training first. None of the four teachers received a salary, rather Teacher provided them housing and living support - financed by his salary as a Kilimanjaro guide - in return for their work at the school.
Today, there are approximately 240 children registered with the School, some keeping regular attendance and some making occasional appearances. Approximately 180 students are in attendance on any given school day. Subjects taught are reading and writing, English, Maths and certain vocational skills. School is in session six days a week. The children are encouraged to stay and play in the area late in the day so that they are tired when they go home and go straight to bed. This is to keep the students from bad influences in areas where they live. Even on Sundays many students show up at the school.
In 2003, Jim Lumberg from Illinois joined a climb to Mount Kilimanjaro with “Teacher” as is guide. Asking about the reason for Edwards nickname, Jim got to know Edward’s school and visited it. Impressed by Teacher’s efforts and willing to support him, Jim registered the “Kilimanjaro English Nursery School” as a Illinois non-for-profit charitable NGO and managed to raise funds for the construction of an adequately sized and equipped building for the school and to finance the school’s ongoing formal operations for the two initial years.
In the meantime, a plot large enough to accommodate play fields and any potential growth of the School in the foreseeable future had been acquired. There are existing structures on the plot which are currently undergoing reconstruction to be used as classrooms, bathroom facilities and living quarters for teachers, a kitchen with cook/watchman quarters.
(c)Zara Tours
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