Cheju Wisdom Center, founded in 1999, is a project we are so excited about and one that also inspires us. The Cheju Wisdom Center is located in Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa, a beautiful but impoverished island off the coast of Tanzania. The people of Zanzibar face poverty, hunger, a lack of quality health care, gender inequity, and a lack of access to education.
The Cheju Wisdom Center hopes to change lives by educating their students in their government’s curriculum, especially in English and mathematics, to enable them to move into quality secondary schools or get additional vocational training. The Center has been very successful as 98% of the 520 students that have passed through its doors, have gone forward with their education and toward a better life. For The Cheju Wisdom Center to continue to be successful in helping these very deserving students, they need our help!
In addition to their studies and extracurricular activities, students work in the large garden providing food for school meals.
Serving disadvantaged students:
Although it costs about $600.00-$900.00 per year to educate and board students, The Cheju Wisdom Center asks families to pay only $430.00. If families cannot pay, sponsors are found. Or in exchange for tuition, families can offer food or volunteer their time and labor to work on building projects.
If you would like to make a donation to help Cheju Wisdom Center, please go to How You Can Help/Donate.
About Cheju Wisdom Center
History:
Founded in 1999, Cheju Wisdom Center is an educational institution that is part of the Diocese of Zanzibar. In 2010, Cheju will become a full Secondary Marine School. Cheju plans to serve students of all faiths and backgrounds as their primary goal is to help lift their students of Zanzibar out of poverty. Currentily, Cheju tutors kids particularly in math and English to enable them to pass national exams to move into quality secodary schools or go to vocational training schools. Since its inception, 520 students have been tutored. Cheju has a great academic success rate as 98% of the students who pass the exams to join excellent secondary schools or vocational training in the country. The opportunity for education gives students from this very poor island a chance at a successful and healthy life.
Location Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa:
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania; it is tropical paradise, which is facing the great challenge of poverty due to lack of quality education. The best jobs on Zanzibar island are surrounding tourism, which includes hotel management, catering and maintenance. These jobs are often lost to those who are from the mainland, who have a better education and can speak English, French and German as most tourists come from these countries. As a result, the natives of the island are left with minor jobs like small businesses or farming which does not give them enough income for sustainability. Cheju aims to change the tides by educating their students in the government curriculum, especially in English and math.
Serving disadvantaged students:
In Tanzania, school is not free and most families live in an average of $1.00-$2.00 per day. Although it costs about $600.00-$900.00 per year to educate and board students, at Cheju, families are asked to pay only $430.00. If families cannot pay, sponsors are found or the school works with them and they pay what they can. Also, families are very involved with the school projects and often trade labor such as farm work or building in exchange for tuition.
The large farm at Cheju is a source of food for students.
Students help with the farming as part of their daily routine.
The students:
Though Cheju is part of the Diocese of Zanzibar, when it becomes a Marine Secondary School in 2010, it will accept children of all faiths and walks of life. Zanzibar is 98% Muslim and the concept of bringing together those of all faiths and spiritual beliefs has been very unifying. The typical student is between the ages of 14 and 18. And just think – for these kids to complete secondary school, they are facing another 6 years of education. Some will be 24 years old before completing school, yet they are determined to do so. Many are from very poor families whose only hope is their children to get an education to help their family and give themselves a have a chance for a better life.
In addition to their studies, students are offered extraccurricular activities such as sports, traditional music, dance and games. Due to the location near the beautiful beach, the students have the opportunity to swim in the Indian Ocean. They are also asked to help with manual work such as farming, caring for the 100 pigs and cleaning school grounds.
Excerpts from The Cheju Wisdom Center web site:
“When the needs of the islands were studied in 1997, it was pointed out that many talented youth do not have a chance for employment, particularly in the new development of tourism with its increase in hotels, shops, restaurants and other associated facilities. The few who managed to go to primary schools could not pass qualifying exams for admission to good secondary or vocational schools.
A further consideration was the prevailing attitude toward women with consequent disregard for their dignity and their potential as creative contributors to their families and society. The solution was to establish a center where both boys and girls who have finished primary school would receive formation in human values and ethical standards along with upgrading in English and Mathematics to enable them to qualify for good secondary or vocational schools in the mainland.”
Most urgent financial needs for 2008-2009 include:
Building projects, furnishings, books, computers, lab equipment and chemicals and sponsorship for students who cannot afford to attend. If you would like to make a tax deductable donation to the Cheju Wisdom Center, go to “How You Can Help”.
Long range plans:
The long-range plan is for Cheju to become a Marine Secondary School by 2010. The addition of a Marine Secondary School will help students and the people of Zanzibar in many ways. First, it will allow students to stay on the island and near their families to go to school rather than to the mainland of Tanzania where it is costly to travel home. Also, since the economy of Zanzibar is centered around the fishing industry as well as tourism, the combination of the marine and science education as well as a good foundation in English will help them improve the overall economy of this poor island as well as keep the young people on the island rather than losing them to mainland.
The Marine Secondary School will offer the standard secondary education curriculum and will specialize in marine biology, the general sciences, the ocean and the proper use of the marine resources and fishing. The marine education will be geared towards value and preservation of marine life. During biology and geography classes, the students will be called to learn and examine different species of fishes, plants and coral stones in the sea.
Current administration and staff at Cheju:
Cheju is currently being run by Father John Mfoi and Sr. Mary Akonae ESM. In 2010, Sister Chrispina Lukule, who was born in Moshi, Tanzania will take on a key role at the school. Sister Chrispina worked for the Diocese of Zanzibar right from the very beginning of the establishment of Cheju in 1999. Sister Chrispina had a key role at the center until 2006, when she was sent to St. Cloud State University in Minnesota to pursue two different graduate degrees.
Cheju community service; adult literacy, women’s empowerment and youth outreach programs:
Cheju also serves its community in many other ways. It offers free classes for adults in English and literacy, which is imperative for their success. The local fishermen are offered evening classes to learn of what kind of fish and plants need to be preserved in the sea rather than harvested. These programs improve the ability of adults in the community to work in the tourism trade, which is the leading source of income for Zanzibar.
Cheju also has programs to work toward the empowerment of women by teaching them literacy and English, providing plots of land to garden and sell vegetables, teaching them business skills, teaching them to raise poultry, encouraging them to stand up for their rights and make good life choices and encouraging them to send their children to school.
At Cheju, they also have youth outreach programs. They teach English to the youth from around the comminity and give workshops to different groups of people about health issues such as Malaria and HIV/AIDS, and conduct childens programs. The childrens organization is called "Children of Peace and Justice".
Volunteering at Cheju:
Cheju also offers a welcoming environment for volunteers who are inspired to travel and lend their helping hands. They offer safe facilities near the school with room and board at a very reasonable cost. There are a number of volunteer jobs including classroom teaching, tutoring, administrative work, building and maintenance, farming, computer work and sports or extracurricular activities. And since Zanzibar is breathtakingly beautiful with historic Stonetown, gorgeous beaches, spice plantations and more, it offers volunteers a vacation of a lifetime while helping improve the lives of the students and community.
Elimu Africa – Cheju Liaison, Sister Chrispina Lekule
We are most fortunate to have Sister Chrispina Lekule of Tanzania residing in St Cloud, MN until 2010 to serve as our liaison with staff at Cheju. Sister Chrispina is completing her second graduate degree at St Cloud State University and plans to return to Zanzibar to assume a key role at Cheju Wisdom Center. With her deep passion for education and helping the poor, and women’s empowerment, her intelligence, eloquence and humor, she has been an inspiration and great help for us at Elimu Africa.
Sister Chrispina Lekule
Bio for Sister Chrispina Lekule:
My name is Chrispina Lekule. I was born in family of nine children under the foot of the highest snow capped mountain (Kilimanjaro) in Moshi Tanzania- East Africa. I grew up in the village where I also attended my primary education. Because of my passion for the poor and the desire to make a difference in people’s lives, I joined the Missionary Institute of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary whose mission is to witness to God’s abundant love and becoming signs of hope to the hopeless. I graduated from Bigwa High school in Morogoro Tanzania. I attended The Marist International College of Education where I earned a degree in Education with Religious Studies. For four years I worked for the formation of younger girls who were preparing to become sisters in our institute in Nairobi, Kenya. While in Kenya I taught religion at Ongata Rongai and also worked among the Masai people and poor people in the slums of Kware, Kibera and Mkulu in the vicinity of the city of Nairobi. In these areas I worked mostly with women and children. The poverty and miseries that I witnessed in the slums revolutionized my life. It made me to contemplate deeply on what I could do in my capacity to change the situation. When I was free on the weekends I visited families, sat with them to discuss matters of life and what could be done for a positive change. I conducted workshops and seminars that helped to create awareness on the challenges that was facing them.
While in college in 1998, I went for a teaching experience at Mbita Boys high school in South Nyanza - Kenya. As an educator, I have learned that my role is not merely to impart knowledge but more so to be an agent of development. My experience in working with the poor has been a continuous molding and nourishing of my passion and zeal to make a difference.
In 1999 I was sent to Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa where I joined two Franciscan Sisters from Little Falls, Minnesota in the founding of Cheju Wisdom Center. Apart from looking after the academic affairs of the students and teaching in the school, I also carried out different activities, including; pastoral activities and women’s empowerment. I taught English to students from the neighboring schools, fishermen and primary school teachers who were preparing for upgrading their English.
In the fall of 2006 I joined St. Cloud State University to pursue a Masters degree in Social sciences and graduated in summer, 2008. In the fall, 2008 I joined the Ed. D program at the same University and I hope to graduate by summer 2010. I will then immediately after return to Zanzibar to continue with the mission in the field of both education and women’s empowerment, which has always been my passion.
My Hobbies: Listening to African Music, traveling and discovering new things. Inspiring younger people to recognize their potentials and use them for the betterment of their own life and society.
My Motto is; "Neglect Not Your Talents and Opportunities" (Galatians 6:10), Use them to the full so that you can make a difference.
Cheju Wisdom Center Location:
Cheju is located on the beautiful island of Zanzibar off the coast of mainland Tanzania, East Africa.
Map of Tanzania
Map of Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa
About Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa
Zanzibar is an island partner within the United Republic of Tanzania, located in the Indian Ocean about 35 km off the coast of mainland Tanzania at six degrees south of the Equator. Zanzibar is made up of many islands, the main two being Unguja (sometimes called Zanzibar) and Pemba. The highest point is 390 feet above sea level. It is a beautiful tropical paradise filled with people who are suffering from poverty, lack of education, lack of health care, abuse of women and health issues.
Area: 2,461 sq km (950 sq miles)
Major languages: Kiswahili, English
Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 44 years (women)
Monetary unit: Tanzania shilling
Main exports: Cloves, seaweed, coconut, copra
International dialing code: +255
Language: The main language is Kiswahili. Even if you only use a few words while you are in Zanzibar you will make many friends. English is widely spoken and many people also speak Arabic. Other European languages such as French, German and Italian are known by some local people, especially around the tourist areas.
Population: The combined population of Zanzibar including Pemba is approx 1,000,000.
Religion: About 95%-98% of the local population is Muslim. The remainder is Hindu or Christian and some with traditional beliefs. As well as many, many mosques, Stone Town hosts an Anglican and a Catholic Cathedral and a Hindu Temple.
Time difference: 3 hours ahead of GMT. 8-9 hours ahead of USA Central time (time difference depends on whether daylight savings time is in effect)
Electricity: Power system is 220-240 volts ac, plugs 13amp usually square pin.
General information – culture:
The population of Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim with a rich Swahili culture. Because of religious and cultural traditions, dress code is important and men and women should dress appropriately when away from the beach (for example covering shoulders and legs to below the knees). Beachwear on the beach is fine, although nude or topless bathing is not tolerated.
When in villages or in Stone Town wearing beachwear would and does cause the local people to feel offended. Try to wear more modest, loose-fitting, non-transparent clothing when in public.
Zanzibari people are generally very warm, open and hospitable, and your respect for permission before taking photographs or filming local people is appreciated. Do not take photos or film at sensitive government sites including the State House, seaport, airport or military sites. If uncertain, it is always better to ask.
Public consumption of alcohol is not permissible, except in hotels and tourist areas, bars and some restaurants, where it is no problem.
Public displays of affection such as kissing are not customary and generally considered offensive, unless behind closed doors.
Local customs should be respected. Mosques are sacred places and there is generally no entry to non-Muslims, unless accompanied by a person of the faith who can show you around except during the times for congregational prayer, which are five times daily.
When offering or accepting things, try and remember to offer and receive with your right hand. This is the hand that should also be used for eating.
Climate: Zanzibar experiences ideal vacation weather for most of the year, with the exception of April and May, which are seasonally subject to the long rains. Short rains can occur in November but are characterized by short showers, which do not last long. The heat of summer is seasonally often calmed by windy conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the North and East coast. Being near the equator, the islands are warm all year round but officially summer and winter peak in December and June respectively. Zanzibar is blessed with an average of 7-8 hours of sunshine daily.
Seasons:
SUMMER - November to May - hot, some humidity with rains in November, May and June.
WINTER - June to October - warm with rains in June, otherwise sunny.
BEST - December to March and July to October
Money matters: The unit of local currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TSh). American dollars in cash or travelers checks are acceptable in many places around town. Credit cards are still almost unknown in Zanzibar, and if you do manage to find a place to use them, there will usually be a surcharge of at least 10%. Bartering about prices is common in Zanzibar marketplaces. Hotel, restaurant and tour operator prices are generally non-negotiable.
History of Zanzibar: A former centre of the spice and slave trades, present-day Zanzibar is infused with African, Arabic, European and Indian influences.
Its original settlers were Bantu-speaking Africans. From the 10th century Persians arrived. But it was the Arab incomers, particularly Omanis, whose influence would be paramount.
The Arabs set up trading colonies and in 1832 the Omani sultan moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar, by now a major slave-trading hub. Zanzibar became an independent sultanate.
The slave trade was abolished in 1873 and in 1890 the British declared Zanzibar a protectorate. In 1963 the islands regained independence, but upheaval lay around the corner.
In January 1964 members of the African majority overthrew the established minority Arab ruling elite.
A republic was established and in April the presidents of Zanzibar and Tanganyika (now Tanzania), on the mainland, signed an act of union, forming the United Republic of Tanzania while giving semi-autonomy to Zanzibar.
For a detailed chronology on Zanzibar, go to: http://www.zanzibar.cc/chronology.htm
To view photos of beautiful Zanaibar, go to “Photo Gallery”