Tangu is the first young person from Mayega Children’s Centre to gain a place at university. She is studying population and rural development in Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma.

This is a wonderful achievement for Tangu, and the Centre; the care staff, teacher Reni, and Mayega ‘brothers and sisters’, who have nurtured her progress. It also provides inspiration for the younger ones.

We have three youngsters studying A levels, four who have just done Form 4 examinations, and four children who are proceeding from primary to secondary school (this is based on examination performance).

The challenge for Mayega children is illustrated in the words of a Form 4 girl:

‘I have nobody to rely on (outside the Centre), even my aunt can’t help, so I’m working hard on my studies to be in a better better position, considering I have a little brother out there’.

Powerful words.