On 7th July, 2021, Lyra’s Ilambilole Girls Hostel was honoured to host Deputy Minister of Health Community Development Gender, Elderly and Children Hon. Mwanaidi Ally Khamis (MoHCDGEC). Other important guests included members of the Iringa District Council and community members from the Kising’a Ward.
In an introductory speech, Lyra’s National Director, Roselyne Mariki, discussed the inspiration behind Lyra, highlighted its achievements to-date and how it works in close collaboration with stakeholders from all levels. In collaboration with respective communities and District Councils, Lyra has built 11 hostels. Ilambilole hostel was the 11th hostel created by Lyra which was handed over in November, 2020. It also represents the second hostel which Lyra has built using Interlocking Soil Stabilised Bricks (ISSBs), where the soil had been tested by the Government National Housing Bureau Research Agency. In order to sustain the Ilambilole hostel as well as share knowledge on ISSB creation with the wider community, Lyra has trained 15 technicians from Kising’a Ward. As part of it’s zero carbon footprint model, Lyra also installs rainwater harvesting systems with storage tanks, worm sustainable toilets, plants multiple trees and provides a courtyard where students can relax. Lyra’s Ilambilole hostel is also well suited to cater for those with disabilities including wheelchair users and offers a room for a matron to take care of girls staying at the hostel.
Lyra’s Hostel Programme focuses on breaking down the barriers which would normally make it difficult for a rural girl in Tanzania to complete her secondary education, such as early pregnancies and child marriages.
“The priority in Ward Secondary school has been on building classrooms, to get the infrastructure in place for the students to get [an] education. With no priority to build dormitories for students, Lyra started working with communities to give their children a safe place to live, away from the daily challenges including sexual abuse.”
Mrs. Mariki also highlighted how Lyra’s Digital Learning Programme has leveraged learning for students, including at Ilambilole Secondary School. In 2017, Lyra introduced its Digital Learning Programme through provision of tablets and offline mobile hotspot devices called ‘RACHELs’, or Remote Access Community Hotspot Education and Learning.
Later in 2019, Lyra started installing computer labs in schools which are grid connected, such as Ilambilole Secondary School. In partnership with Shule Direct, Lyra provides an offline Learning Management System (LMS), which has content and quizzes for secondary school students (Form I-IV) as per the Tanzanian Curriculum.
During her visit, Hon. Mwanaidi Ally Khamis had the opportunity to see how the LMS setup in the computer lab works and its impact on students meeting Sharifa Mohammed (Form IV, Lyra Ilambilole hostel occupant). She explained how valuable the learning material provided by LMS was to herself and her fellow students. She also expressed her appreciation for the ICT Clubs started by Lyra which has helped students learn how to engage with computers and ICT skills. Hon. Mwanaidi Ally Khamis then congratulated the teachers for their great work in ensuring that the students knew how to use this computer lab and the interactive learning content and quizzes it provided.
In a powerful message, Hon. Mwanaidi Ally Khamis addressed community members stating;
“I’m very impressed with all the work that has been done through the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). It’s great to see so many female VSLA members and to witness your business products and activities. It is an honor to meet a female Community Based Member, Mama Zuhura Nyalusi. I implore you to use the Government loans (interest free) through your District Council, in order to grow your businesses and eliminate poverty. Our President, Hon. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has prioritized women development, women rights, and economic empowerment. Use the available Gender Desks in your communities to report on violence. You also have a duty to bring up these children, as they are the future of this nation. Let them study, and complete their education”.
I would like to congratulate Lyra in recognizing the challenges facing girls, and focusing on giving them a safe place to live, through the hostels construction and especially in Government Ward Secondary Schools which are rural based. You have taken the much needed step to protect girls and tackle the challenges of sexual abuse, gender based violence, child marriages, and child pregnancies which are on the rise. You have also aligned your activities in line with the Government priorities as guided by current NGO guidelines. I’m very happy to see this dormitory for 96 girls here at Ilambilole Sec. School, see the computer laboratory and meet these female VSLA members, their Community Based Trainers, such as Mama Zuhura Nyalusi, and Imarika Kijana beneficiaries hear about their income generating activities. The Government recognizes the importance of your contribution and the contribution of NGOs towards national development. You have challenged the government to ensure that all girls have a safe place to live.
To the students, I urge you to focus on your studies, don’t be cheated by small things. Rather be confident in yourself, learn to distinguish good from bad. There are many out there who do not like the development of children. I want to see Ilambilole Secondary School as a top performing school in Iringa, and you can do it.
To the parents, I urge you to go back to our traditions of bringing up a girl child, for example, using real life stories, so that they may grow knowing what is good for them. Spend time with your children, let them share with you their needs, worries, challenges, etc,. You have the duty to train them.”
Hon. Mwanaidi Ally Khamis then went on to congratulate the Imarika Kijana (‘Empowered Youth’) Programme beneficiaries for being inspired to start their own business and asked them to tap into district funds focused on youth. Additionally, the Deputy Minister also directed that People with Disabilities (PWD) members of Ilambilole VSLA also reach out to their respective district councils so that they can tap into government loans dedicated to allowing PWD to grow their business.
Click here - to watch full video of the Deputy Minister’s Visit to Lyra’s Ilambilole Girls Hostel