Aivan

Aivan came to us via Trustee Grace, works in public health in the Karagwe District between Bukoba (Lake Victoria) and the Rwandan border.  She introduced us to the son of one of her former colleagues….someone she respected and appreciated over the years.

Traditionally, in Tanzania, health care workers were able to be hired even if the worker wasn’t fully qualified.  However, that has changed and Tanzania is now trying to make sure that every government employee is fully qualified.  While this is a noble goal which corrects a long history of hiring those without the proper qualifications, this has also resulted in the firing of many practically able employees who are technically under-qualified.  One person fitting this description is Aivan’s mother.  She has spent years serving in public health, but without an official qualification.  At the end of 2017, she, along with many health assistants lost their jobs. She moved back to her family farm in Karagwe, and will not be able to support Aivan in a good school.

Aivan’s ability and intelligence is so evident that GLK decided to make an emergency payment at the end of 2017.  We have committed to supporting him through elementary school.  He is at the top of his class and deserves this chance.  He has performed so well academically and we enjoy seeing his progress.