In rural areas of Tanzania, only 29% of girls transition from primary school to secondary school. Tanzanian students face a unique challenge as the language of instruction shifts from Kiswahili to English in secondary school. In more affluent urban settings, families with financial means frequently hire English tutors to assist with this transition. In Tanga’s Lushoto District, the financial resources needed to enter secondary school – including English tutoring, books, uniforms and hygiene supplies – are considerably more than many rural families can afford. These multiple barriers make access to secondary education prohibitive for a majority of low-income rural families in Lushoto.

One Day’s Wages partnered for a third year with Asante Africa Foundation to host an intensive 11-week preparatory camp for rising secondary students in Lushoto District focused on building English literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy. To address financial barriers, students also received “Get Started Packages” containing school uniforms, supplies and hygiene products. As a result of the Bridging the Gap program, English proficiency significantly improved for most participants, with 61.8% reporting substantial progress and 38.2% noting moderate improvement. Over three years, 96% of participants successfully transitioned into secondary school, and 94% reported improved confidence!