On Saturday, September 13th the TFFT family gathered in full force to celebrate and congratulate the graduation of nine TFFT scholars. This milestone is a powerful symbol of TFFT’s work. Our team, donors, volunteers, and partners are all working together towards one goal: making sure orphans and vulnerable children have access to quality education so that they may reach their full potential and thrive in their community.

TFFT provides opportunity, opportunity that we believe is every child’s right. Our scholars take that opportunity and turn it into accomplishment. They study hard, act as leaders among their peers, and take action to improve their community. And on graduation day we get to see them shine.

This graduation was especially meaningful for TFFT because Helena–one of the triplets that captured Meghann’s heart ten years ago at age four–graduated Class 7, the equivalent of middle school.

Not only did she graduate, she graduated from private, English-medium boarding school and will continue her educational path to secondary (high) school next year.

Here is Helena at Nkoaranga Orphanage in 2004:

Here is Helena beaming with pride at her Class 7 graduation:

When you think of orphans and vulnerable children, you may think of stories of hopelessness. And in some ways you’re right. In Tanzania alone, many unsupported orphans and vulnerable children never step foot into a classroom. Those that do likely attend  government schools, where under-qualified teachers lack even the most basic resources and struggle to instruct classrooms of 100+ students.

The TFFT scholars are different because, although they are all orphaned or vulnerable children, this qualification does not limit or define them.

Our scholars are intelligent, talented, opinionated, gregarious, compassionate, resilient individuals. This is what defines them. They are not bound by their past. Quality education, health care, nurturing relationships with relatives or foster families, psychosocial support, life-skills training, and extracurricular opportunities set them free. We thank each of you for doing your part to turn around what could have been a story of hopelessness into a story of triumph and success.

Just look at beautiful Sofia!

Sofia, Helena, David, Joyce, Ndera, Sarah, Nashivai, and Monica (TFFT’s 2014 Class 7 graduates) will now be among the 25% of all Tanzanian youth who continue on to secondary (high) school. Let me stress that that statistic is not specific to orphans and vulnerable children–only 25% of ALL students in Tanzania carry on to secondary school (UNICEF). We look forward to continuing to support and encourage the success of these special individuals through secondary school and beyond.

And now, some more pictures from graduation day… It was a festive and exciting celebration for all!

^^ Proud family and friends filled the crowd!

 

^^ Our scholars had quite the cheering section. Team TFFT was all smiles as we burst with pride!

^^ Many TFFT partners, friends, and relatives of our scholars also made the trip for this special occasion!

 

^^ Older TFFT scholars showed up to support the younger TFFT graduates!

^^ Usa River Academy honored the Gunderman family with seats at the head table!

^^ In the time (ahem 3 hours!) leading up to the presentations of diplomas, each class performed for the graduates as a parting gift. The above pictures show the fashion show and acrobatics and vocal performances (extra proud that singer is TFFT Scholar Asimwe)!

^^ In addition to honoring the graduates, the school recognized some of the younger students with various academic, sportsmanship, and character awards. Many of the recipients of these awards were TFFT scholars! Lomanyaki, Ericki, and Ema are pictured above.

^^ TFFT Scholar Joyce was selected as one of two Class 7 graduation speakers!

^^ Melissa presented the first ever TFFT Most Outstanding Teacher Awards!

^^ We showered the TFFT graduates with love in the form of presents from near and far.

^^And we can’t forget to mention the graduation cakes!! Entrepreneur and former TFFT scholar Viloeth (with the loving assistance of Melissa!) made a gorgeous cake for each of our graduates. Just look at those cakes! I still can’t get over them!

^^Let’s hear it for the graduates!! They make us so proud.