Dar es Salaam, TZ – Student Earns a Chance to Achieve Dreams – 30 Jan 2015

Asha Nashiba and her family moved to Dar es Salaam in 2003. Ten years later her family was having trouble paying school fees and she found herself missing school regularly because she could not afford the fees. Asha is a person who takes her success in her own hands. She decided to call in to a radio show called “Real Life Tanzania” which explores the successes and challenges of regular Tanzanians. She shared her story, including her success in school and difficulties paying the fees.

“Real Life Tanzania” airs on a radio station called Cloud FM. Cloud FM is owned by a member of United Women’s Friendship. Members of the group her Asha’s story and were moved to action by her struggles. They offered her a full scholarship to attend secondary school and university.

Asha’s scholarship covers tuition, room, board, and other expenses at private secondary school. She says it has been much easier to focus on studies since moving to a boarding school. She explains, “When you live at home in a poor family, even at school you are concerned about home life. At boarding school you are able to focus on studies.”

Asha is now in the 10^th grade. She is waiting to learn the results of her annual examinations before she can apply to finish secondary school. After secondary school she wants to become a doctor specializing in women’s health, specifically birth and early childcare.

“Many women are not getting served properly in Tanzania,” Asha explains. She hopes to be a part of solving this issue.

Achieving this goal will require serious commitment from Asha. After finishing secondary school she will need to study for five years before she can begin working in hospitals, and specialization will take even longer. Asha is confident she will be able to achieve this goal with the financial support and mentorship of UWF members.