BY PROFESSOR RAYMOND MOSHA
On Saturday, 7 November 2026, my wife and I were privileged to attend the celebration of 25 years of Project Zawadi in Arusha. What we heard and witnessed that evening inspired us beyond anything we had imagined.
Project Zawadi is a non-governmental organisation conceived by an American mathematics teacher working at a secondary school in Mara Region. Mr Brian Singer encountered a young boy whose parents could not afford to send him to school. He vowed to do something about it, not knowing that his burning desire to assist that young man would mark the beginning of a reputable non-governmental organisation that has so far assisted over 9,356 students in this country.
The first student to receive support from the organisation was present that evening. He is now a university graduate running his own successful school supplies company. His story touched the hearts of all of us. Also in attendance were other students and university graduates whose lives had been transformed through education with the support of Project Zawadi. There were lawyers, teachers and businesspeople who had been brought from darkness into light by the organisation. Listening to their stories was like listening to readings from the Holy Scriptures.
Project Zawadi undertakes several activities to provide quality education to those who cannot afford it. Its first activity is to empower teachers through seminars and training sessions. It has empowered over 2,000 teachers to provide better-quality education and expects to reach over 200,000 teachers over the next several years.
The second activity is student support, through which the organisation sponsors students from primary school through to university. Over 9,356 students have been directly supported so far, and over 100,000 students have benefited indirectly through its model schools. Its third activity is to create model schools with adequate resources, including desks, water and books.
Project Zawadi has a board of directors based in the USA and a board of trustees based in Tanzania. Individuals, families and friends in both countries have supported its work.
There is one remarkable experience that all of us who attended the celebration will never forget: listening to the stories of Project Zawadi’s graduates and current students. These young people were truly ladies and gentlemen: confident and, most of all, ready to help others in need of education. Our country is better off with Project Zawadi, which was officially founded in 2001.
Congratulations and thanks to Brian, his colleagues, donors and friends of Project Zawadi. You have taught us that our lives are meaningful only when we reach out and touch the lives of those in need.
Prof. Raymond S. Mosha, (+255) 769 417 886; rmosha@depaul.edu
