In the quiet shade of a mango tree at his school in Dar es Salaam, Abdulrahman often sat alone with his thoughts. For many children in both urban and rural settings, education can feel like a distant priority when life becomes difficult. For Abdulrahman, the barrier wasn’t a lack of ability, but a change in his world.
Following financial constraints, he transitioned from a private to a public school. Suddenly, subjects he once had a good handle on Mathematics, Science, and Geography felt out of reach. The concepts remained the same, but the language barrier formed a wall between him and his potential.
His challenges reached far beyond the classroom. Having lost his mother and his father moving to a new life elsewhere, Abdulrahman was raised by his grandparents. They provided unwavering care and love, but their resources were limited. In the face of such emotional and financial hardship, it would have been easy for a young boy to lose hope.
However, a beam of light broke through when Pamoja Tudumishe Elimu (PTE) – a joint initiative between the Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child programme and WeWorld, with support from the Qatar Fund for Development – stepped in to support over 10,000 children at risk of dropping out.
Through the school’s Reading Club, Abdulrahman found the bridge to the other side he needed. He wasn't just learning a language; he was reclaiming his voice. With the dedicated support of his teachers and the WeWorld/PTE staff, the boy who once sat quietly under the mango tree began to engage, participate, and excel.
And the results were clear when exam season arrived: Abdulrahman achieved sixth position in his class. It was a remarkable milestone for a student navigating a new language and a difficult personal history. It was proof that when a child is seen and supported, they can overcome almost any obstacle.
Today, as his household situation stabilizes, Abdulrahman no longer looks at the sky with longing, but with a plan. He has set his sights on becoming a pilot: a dream that fuels his determination to master his studies and eventually soar beyond the circumstances of his childhood.
Edith Shirima, project staff with WeWorld, notes that these interventions are vital because they allow the team to “understand the learners’ struggles before they escalate.” By boosting learner retention and providing emotional scaffolding, the project ensures that children like Abdulrahman never have to choose between their education and their survival.
Through the combined efforts of community actors and the PTE initiative, Abdulrahman is no longer just a student in the shade; he is a young man preparing for take-off.
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