The faces you see below are the students that ABCD is committed to helping through their educational years. Most of them are in secondary school, and many are now in colleges and universities all over Tanzania after being supported by ABCD sponsors all through their primary and secondary school years and on into post secondary education college and university. So we are especially proud of their successes.

We endeavour to keep in touch with them using the internet and an ABCD director travels to Tanzania every year. All of them face family poverty and the possibility of leaving school because of financial barriers. Some of them are orphans, most have only one parent and some are living with HIV/AIDS. When students leave the program we add new students and then visits and interviews take place with their parents or their caregiver(s).

We try to obtain an artwork from each new student and so each is given art materials and some instruction as we ask them to create a drawing or painting of their dream for their own future or of some aspect of their lives in Tanzania. It’s overwhelming to see the light of creativity and joy shine in their eyes when they start to draw or paint. Most of these youngsters have never seen coloured pencils or paints but the innate creativity of childhood always comes through.

These young people want to stay in school as long as possible and dream of careers to help their families and their community. They want to be doctors, teachers, engineers, store-owners and truck drivers. Many have dreams to help others and this is reflected in many of their artworks. To date we have seen, and have had reported to us by their teachers, much improvement in school grades, appearance, and general well-being. As you will read, many have progressed to further education in colleges and universities all over Tanzania! After they progress to university and college they will often send letters and emails with photos of their journeys in higher education. This is especially rewarding.

In the ‘On Their Way’ section you can read stories of young people who have been through the program and received years of education. Some have left the program to find work to help their families. Some have been able to complete their studies and are working as productive citizens of their country.

To learn more about these wonderful young people, click on their image or name.