In my last update I indicated that I would describe the Tanzanian educational system. The Ministry of Education manages the government educational system centrally. There also exists an extensive system of private schools. The private schools include English medium schools and many religion based schools. The private school system is out of reach for much of the population because of the high level of fees. In general, the quality of the private schools is significantly better than government schools.  Read more... (961 words, 9 images, estimated 3:51 mins reading time)

Dear friends – I have been rather slow in getting going on this trip to Tanzania. When I left Boston on February 3 I had a sore throat which degenerated into a full fledged cold, leaving me out of commission for about a week. At this point I am pretty over it, though effects seem to linger.
I have had the opportunity to meet with the six second-year students in Moshi, at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC). I met with them and Edith Macha (our student co-ordinator in Moshi) late one afternoon this past week at the KCMC Campus Canteen over a soda. The students expressed their appreciation for their sponsorship and we gave each of them an Oxford English Dictionary. One of the students asked what she could do to improve her English language skills. I really did not have a good response to this question. Good English language skills is a significant issue for students, particularly those who come from the rural areas, because the teaching and examinations are all in English.  Read more... (515 words, 10 images, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)