Imelda Andrew Mlemba, age 15
Imelda is from Uyole, Mbeya. She is the second born of five children. She has been staying with her aunt Kelfrin Juma since childhood due to the poor financial circumstances of her mother (Tegere Juma) who is still alive but unable to provide financial support for any of her children.Imelda attended Nyigamba primary school from January 2003 to September 2009 and entered Form I at James Sangu Girls School in 2010. During her free time she likes singing and playing netball. In the future she wishes to be a nurse or a teacher.
Anastasia Roberth Mngulu, age 14
Anastasia is the only child of Martha Paulo Kabenga. She is from Vwawa town nearby Ilembo village in Mbozi district. She was born out of wedlock and doesn't know her father. Since childhood she has been staying with her maternal grandmother (Elizaberth Mbembela). She attended Mwenge primary school for primary education from January 2003 up to September 2009. She entered Form I in 2010 and enjoys studying English and mathematics. During her spare time she likes singing and drama. In the future she wishes to be a manager or an accountant.
Amos Beston Mbembela, age 17
Amos is the second born of a family of two boys. Both of his parents died shortly after he was born. He is from Ihand village, about 10km from Vwawa township along the highway to the Tunduma-Tanzania Zambia border. He lived with his paternal grandmother until her death in June 1999; since then he has lived with his maternal grandmother. He likes reading books and playing football. In the future he wishes to be a doctor or teacher so that he can serve people in his career and teach them how to love each other.
Yustina Ebehard Kayombo, age 16
Yustina is the fifth born of six children of Ebehard Kayombo and Esta Soko. Her father died in 2007 and her mother is HIV positive and is a peasant of Litisha village. She completed her primary school education at Putire School in September 2008. Although selected for Litisha Secondary School, she was unable to join for lack of support. She is now in Form two at Ilasi Secondary School – Mbozi Mbeya. At the end of this academic year she will be sitting for form 2 national exams. She wishes to be a teacher or a nurse so that she can help other people.
Willy John Mgogo, age 19
Willy is the only child of John Mgogo who died in 1990. His mother, Helen Kibona, died in 1995 and since that time he has been staying with his paternal grandmother. He has one step-sister, Rose Njegere. He started his primary education at age 11 at Haloli primary school, completing September 2007. He joined Hasanga boys’ school in January 2008. His ambition is to be a soldier and have a degree in marine engineering or to be a teacher of political sciences. His hobbies are soccer and drama. He also likes traveling and one on one conversation.
to read a selection from Willy's most recent letter about school sports, click here
Lamson Songa, age 20
Lamson is the third born of seven children of his mother, Rebeka Chomo. His father, Osigwege Songa died in 1994, and his mother has remarried. Lamson currently lives with his aunt in Ichenjezya Vwawa. His ambition is to be a policeman or a pilot or politician, and to help those who are from poor families. He believes that by participating in decision-making the future of many Tanzanians will be improved. During his spare time he plays soccer and watches the news and soccer on TV.
Joseph Kaselema Marambugi, age 18
Joseph is the first born of three children of Sista Edward Njejo and Kaselema Marambugi. He has one younger brother and one younger sister. His mother died of HIV in 2003, and his father died before Joseph was old enough to know him. He was born in the Simike-Mbarali district in Mbeya region. Currently he is living with his maternal grandmother, Eliza Kibona. He dreams of being a pilot or a priest and to be able to help his young brother and sister. During his spare time he plays football and sings at church.
Eliud David Silindu, age 19
Eliud is the first born of three children of the late David Silindu (died 1997) and Roida Nzunda (died 2001). After the death of his parents, he moved to stay with his grandfather Jamson Nzunda. At age 10, he entered Standard 1 class at Haloli primary school in Vwawa in 2001 and completed his primary education in September, 2007. His ambition is to be a doctor, and he aspires to serve the people of Tanzania. In his spare time, he likes hiking, watching TV programs, soccer and debate.
to read a selection from Eliud's most recent letter, click here
Grace Queen Nzunda, age 18
Grace is the first born of three children. She was born in Iringa and, after the death of her father, her mother moved to Mbozi Mbeya to be close to her parents. Both parents died early in her life. Currently she is staying with her grandparents, who sent her to James Sangu school in January 2007. Unfortunately, her grandparents were unable to continue to pay her school fee, and she applied for Tutaweza sponsorship in September, 2007. She uses her spare time to cook and to take care of kids. Her dream is to be a politician.
to read a selection from Grace's most recent letter, click here
Hilda Wisdom Kapusi, age 17
Hilda is a Form 3 student from Ilembo Village in Mbozi District. She has one brother and two sisters and has lived with her maternal grandmother since the deaths of both parents. Her favorite subjects at James Sangu Secondary School are Geography, Civics and History. If possible, she would like to continue her schooling until she earns a degree in Human Resources and Public Relations. Hilda dreams of becoming a leader in her community. She enjoys singing and also listens to news on the radio whenever possible.
to read an excerpt from Hilda's letter on friendship, click here
Jafari Shughuli Msyete, age 18
Jafari is a Hasanga Secondary School Form 3 student. He is from Isangu village in the Mbozi district of the Mbeya region. His father is deceased and his mother is suffering from AIDS. He has two younger sisters and one younger brother. Jafari enjoys math, English and history in school, and in his free time he likes to play soccer and read novels. His ambition is to become a secondary school teacher and perhaps to enter politics one day.
Grace Stanley Kitahenga, age 19
Grace is a James Sangu Secondary School Form 3 student. She is from the Welela village in the Mtango-Njombe district of the Iringa region. Both parents are deceased, and she has been living with various relatives and working as a house girl in Mbeya. Grace desires a career as a secondary school teacher or a nurse. During her free time, she enjoys singing, playing netball, and reading novels and newspapers.
to read a selection from Grace's most recent letter, click here
Jimmy Samuel Mabura, age 21
Jimmy is the first Tutaweza student to graduate from Form 4. He is currently a Form 5 student at Mbalizi High School near Mbeya. He received his first scholarship from Tutaweza for the fall term, 2006. Both parents are deceased. Jimmy’s favorite subject in school is history and he enjoys playing soccer and listening to music during his free time. His future plans include military service and travel, and he’s considering automotive engineering as a career.
to read a selection from Jimmy's most recent essay, click here
Samwel Jairosy Kayinga, age 20
Samwel graduated from Form 4 in October of 2009 and will be beginning his Form 5 education in January 2010. He received his first scholarship from Tutaweza for the fall term, 2006. He is from Vwawa and lives with his grandmother when school is not in session. Both parents are deceased. Samwel’s favorite subjects are science and math but he also has an interest in the arts, especially drama. He hopes to get a university education and perhaps become a physiologist.
to read an excerpt from Samwel's essay called 'Building the Future,' click here