SAIRA YUSUF, A TEN YEAR VOLUNTEER FROM CALIFORNIA TO PROVIDE THREE FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO KANGABUSHARO CHILDREN
STATEMENT OF APPRECIATION AND PURPOSE FROM COSAD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SMART P. BAITANI
I believe there are several ways of developing and maintaining sustainable partnerships, both locally and internationally. The story of a young girl, Saira Yusuf---only 10 years old -- who volunteered in Bukoba through a GCN (Global Citizens Network) and COSAD partnership project in August 2009 is an example of one of those partnerships.
For a number of years, COSAD has been using its local partnerships as a launch pad for international partnerships. International volunteers, in partnership with a COSAD community, are provided with a unique opportunity to directly immerse themselves into local communities by sharing and experiencing the real challenges they face. They participate side by side with the community on physical infrastructure projects such as renovating community rooms and building goat pens while at the same time learning firsthand about local life and culture.
Many times, however, volunteers in Bukoba take the relationship to a whole new dimension by making sure that their involvement and support continues beyond the time they spent in the community. Saira Yusuf is one such volunteer.
Saira was one of the members of the GCN volunteer team who came to Bukoba in August 2009 for a two week volunteer program. She was there with her parents Zia and Paru, as well as her younger sister Sanam (age 8). She had been overhearing, and many times actively participating in, conversations we often had about development, the specific project the team was working on, the education process in Tanzania, etc.
Her participation in these conversations allowed her to have a good overview of what the team was trying to accomplish during their stay including why the community center was needed. She asked many tough questions but the biggest one was one for which she decided to come up with a solution for. She wanted to know what happens when a kid passes their exams, is smart enough to continue school but the parents don’t have the money. She had also heard that young people were leaving Kangabusharo because of lack of opportunity and wanted to know who will help the people then.
I replied: “Saira…Money! Money! I need money to send these smart kids to school so they can come back and help their community.”
When she found out how much it costs for a child to go to secondary school for one year ($150), her initial response was, “but I have that much from my allowance. Can I give it to them?” She had a quick discussion with her parents on giving the money, how to help out as well what would happen the following year, etc. and came back to ask me if she could visit the Standard Seven (grade 7) classroom. While walking there, she asked me: “How do I choose the person to sponsor?”
I was quite excited and filled with joy. I said, “Let’s talk more about it with the head teacher before we go the classroom.” In the course of the resulting conversations with the teachers, her parents and me, her initial reaction to help one child for one year evolved into creating a sustained support mechanism that would ensure that the child would be able to continue their education through to secondary school. Before we had even finalized anything, the news had spread throughout the entire village!
She has chosen to sponsor three children who will be selected on merit by written essay, passing of the secondary school exam and maintaining their grades through secondary school. They should also do some volunteer work in the school to help younger children during holidays and breaks.
Saira has various mechanisms she will employ to raise the funds but she is now concerned that there are other children beyond the three she is sponsoring who need help. Thus, for the future she is considering modifying the scholarship program towards a needs-based financial aid program which would serve more children in the community.
To me, this is a very powerful example of sustainable partnership. A volunteer came and engaged first hand with the local community the result of which is a longer-term assistance program that also places emphasis on the active participation and “giving back” by those receiving the assistance. The vested interest of the children receiving the aid, community participation, COSAD involvement and generosity of a younger sponsor who wants to make a difference in a meaningful way make it a true partnership.
How the Saira Yusuf Scholarship Fund works:
- All students in Standard Seven (final year) at the Primary School level were eligible to participate. Three scholarships will be awarded to cover secondary education for four years.
- To apply for the scholarship, students had to submit a written essay called: “The Statement of Purpose”. In the essay, he/she had to cover three areas: a) provide a personal history, b) describe their education aspirations c) and identify how their own education would benefit their community.
- Essays were evaluated by an independent team of teachers (that is, teachers not in the community) identified by COSAD.
- Ten semi-finalists were selected in the first round to participate in an oral interview from which three finalists were identified. All participating students received a reward from COSAD. The second interview allowed the students a chance to verbally express in more detail their goals and how personal success would benefit the community.
- Saira Yusuf got to review the translations of the ten best essays to help identify the three finalists.
- Scholarship will be administered through COSAD-Tanzania Scholarship Fund with an account at CRDB Bank in Bukoba, Tanzania.
- Fund will be disbursed by term so as to make sure that these students maintain academic excellence.
- Upon disbursement of funds, students will sign a commitment paper to volunteer in their community during school holidays and to use their knowledge gained in school to solve community problems. To extent possible, students will be encouraged to come back to Kangabusharo as professionals.
- Students sponsored must submit term examination and general progress reports to their sponsor. Failure to do so may result into the termination of the scholarship.
For More Information, Partnerships or Support, Please contact us: Smart P. Baitani, Executive Director
COSAD, Inc. 4624 Hillsboro Avenue North Minneapolis Minnesota 55428
Tel: 612.227.0065 Email: smart@cosad.org Website: www.cosad.org
COSAD Mission:
To build partnerships that create community development through the support
of projects involving micro-enterprise, health, education and culture.
COSAD Vision:
Empowering Tanzanians to get out of poverty, one community at a time.
