June 16th 2020 is the International Day of the African Child, and was first established in 1991 by the Organization of African Unity. The day aims to raise awareness of the situation for many children in Africa, and the need for their continuing support and education.
We’d like you to meet two of the girls Lyra is supporting in their hostels, who share their stories in their own words, and the harsh reality for many children in rural areas of Tanzania. We’re pleased to say that both girls have secured places in the Lyra hostel so they can continue their studies. To help the many more girls like Grace and Hiyana, you can make a donation here. To keep a girl in hostel with 3 meals a day and a matron and night guard costs $180 per year.
Meet Grace, age 13
My name is Grace Mtekele, I’m 13 years old, and come from Igungambugi Street Idete Village. I am the second born in a family of three children. Currently we are living with my sister who is in form four at Madege Secondary school, our last born passed away soon after mother’s death in 2011. Our father left us and married another woman. We are living with our grandparents in the village (from my father’s side).
They are cooking separately and have our own Shamba (vegetable garden). We are farming with grandmother in a small farm because she has not enough energy for work. We are harvesting little amount of maize which lasts us five months of the year.
When I was in primary school, during lunch I go home and return hungry because there was no food, sometimes I was going to neighbours houses and ask for the food, otherwise I ate fruits. Studying while you’re hungry you are not understanding anything.
My sister who is in secondary school at Madege secondary school is living in Lyra Hostel because she is sponsored with Lyra. When she in holiday she is not happy because she is telling me how bad she feels during the holidays, she wishes there should be no holidays, so she can stay in hostel and have three meals a day.
During holidays we are working with my sister on other peoples farm, to earn money for our school needs. When my sister is at home, my life is simple because she is doing work and make sure that I eat.
I wish to stay in Hostel, because I hear of good hostel life from my sisters, I wish we could have good relatives who will help us, because we are living very difficult life since standard seven I was going to school without shoes.
I don’t know if I will ever get to secondary school, because our father never sees us and our grandparents have no money. I have no ability to work for other people alone, as I am waiting for my sister during holidays so as we work together trying to find money for my school needs. I wish to be a Lawyer and have ability to help needy girls.
Meet Hiyana, aged 13
My name is Hiyana, I'm 13 years old and from Madege Village. I completed Madege primary school in 2019 I scored an average of C. I live with my parents and my brothers and sisters. We are six children. My father is a farmer. My mother is bedridden with no ability to do anything. We are using a lot of time taking care of her.
Our Father is working very hard to be able to buy our mother’s medication. The Doctors said she has to stay home and attend clinic every two months.
Although she is using medicine, we are not seeing any changes to her health.
I am the third born, and I am worried because I’m not sure that if I get selected to join secondary school, my father will be able to support me. My brothers passed their exam to join secondary education but they could not, due to lack of money.
My father was very happy with my examination results, and he told me because I am a girl he will allow me to join secondary education. I was extremely happy to hear this, even though I know it will be a big challenge for me to walk to school and back every day, which is 7kms each way.
My father has told me that he cannot support to rent a room for me nor to pay for living in Hostel, and I understand him given our situation at home. I have promised my father that I will study hard in order to go to university level.
I want to be a Nun, in order to get a great chance to work for community since I see nuns have kind hearts and are helping needy people like our family and sick people like our mother.