All colleges and schools in Tanzania were closed for about 3 to 4 months from late February.

For our two first year students at Nyakato College, Malesa and Jeremiah, this meant that alternative accommodation had to be found. We decided it was safer to return them to Mayega village rather than seek rooms in the city, where exposure to Corona was more prevalent. We could not accommodate the boys at the Children’s Centre, as they were too old to be there. Places were found with local people known to Centre staff.

Having effectively missed a full term at college, we were concerned how Malesa and Jeremiah would settle down and make up the lost time. Their response, and that of the college has been excellent. On reopening, the college increased the teaching week to 6 days, altered the timetable to add another 2 hours to each day and shortened college holidays.  The students are following national vocational courses and preparing for set examination dates.

Malesa is studying welding and Jeremiah electrical installation and both are doing well. Malesa would like to find employment in the Mwanza boat yards, building and maintaining vessels. Jeremiah’s hope is to find suitable electrical work as the electricity supply is expanding into Tanzania’s rural areas.