Opening the doors to higher education for girls in Chonyonyo, Tanzania

Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and violence. In Tanzania, we are extending a school building at Mavuno´s Boarding Secondary School for Girls to enable more young girls reaching high-level education.

Girls’ education strengthens economies and contributes to a more stable, resilient society that gives all individuals the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Together with our partner organization Mavuno Project and the local authorities in Tanzania, we are building the extension of a boarding school to enable more young girls to reach a high-level education.

Education changes lives

Since 2006, our local partner organization Mavuno Project has operated a boarding secondary school for girls offering education at standard level (grade 7-11). About half of the students are enrolled through a scholarship program that allows the girls to go to school regardless of the family's financial status, while many of them are orphans. In 2024, the school ranked #3 out of 189 in the Kagera region and #62 out of 5 562 nationwide.

Why an extension?

Although the school has proven to achieve excellent results in national exams, many of the students will not get a chance to reach higher education. The competition for upper-level secondary education in the region is fierce due to the lack of schools, of which only a handful offer an education that makes students prepared enough to compete for university admissions.

Our aim is to extend the existing school by constructing a three-story classroom building offering grades 12-13. This will enable more young women to be both qualified and well prepared for university studies, reach high-level education, and become role models in one of the poorest regions of Tanzania. The school expects to benefit 1 800 students by 2030, offering multiple classrooms, a library, teachers' office, toilets, and an electrical power system, while further development plans for the boarding school include a dormitory for more pupils.

Our commitment

EWB-SWE supports the construction with engineering expertise and project management to validate the construction details and processes as well as to design the electrical, water and sewage systems. We share the funding responsibility with our partnering organizations involved in the project - Mavuno Project, the district council of Karagwe and Engineers Without Borders Germany.

Our approach opens doors to higher education, at the same time as we ensure that the district's poorest school children get a chance to reach these doors. And we need everyone's support to give these girls the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

The journey - brick by brick

2021/2022 - Erection of the columns up to the roof

With the structure of the basement and two stories already finished, the project encompassed the third story, roof, walls and all interior installations. Due to the pandemic and ongoing fundraising, the construction was unfortunately halted for some time. In the meantime, we took important steps in the verification of structural calculations relevant to the coming construction phases. The construction resumed after the pandemic, encompassing the erection of the columns up to the roof.

2025 - Construction and electrical installation

Significant progress was made in the construction phase. Most of the basic structure, including the roofing and electrical installation was completed, signalling the near-final stage of the project.

2026 - The final step to opening

The remaining work encompasses painting, sanitary facilities, lightning protection, fire protection, ICT and certification by authorities. The goal is to have the school ready for the schoolyear starting July 2026. All construction activities must be concluded by April 2026 to give time for authorities to inspect and approve the building fit for purpose.

Due to withdrawn aid from the local government, the project now relies on private donations to be completed in time. We welcome all contributions to the project. Join us and help secure the girls future!

Support the girls school

Hear Charles Bhati, project director of Mavuno Projects, on the extension of the girls’ school in 2020.

Make a donation

How to support:
Donate to our fundraising campaign “One Last Step”.

Mark your donation with “LAST STEP”.
Swish: 123-900 68 42
Plusgiro: 900684-2
Bankgiro: 900-6842

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Reach out to us by clicking the link below or email info@ewb-swe.org

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