The Cheju Marine Secondary School is located in Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa, a beautiful but impoverished island off the coast of Tanzania. The people of Zanzibar face poverty, hunger, a lack of quality health care, gender inequity, and a lack of access to education.
Cheju Marine Secondary School is a true blessing for the island because it serves a very poor area where there is a severe shortage of schools. Cheju allows children to attend school closer to home rather than traveling to mainland Tanzania, far from their families. Though the school is run through the Catholic Diocese, it operates as an official government-approved school. Cheju has been very unifying for the island as approximately 75% of its students are Muslim and the rest Christian or of indigenous spiritual beliefs. The students and families get along beautifully and are welcomed without discrimination. The goal of Cheju is simply to help improve the level of education and quality of life in this beautiful region of Tanzania.
History
The school was originally founded in 1999 as a tutoring center called The Cheju Wisdom Center. The goal of the center is to tutor students in the government secondary curriculum to enable them to move into quality secondary schools or vocational training. The Center has been very successful, as 98% of the students that have passed through its doors, have gone forward with their education and toward a better life. The tutoring program will continue to educate kids, particularly in math and English to enable them to pass national exams and move into quality secodary schools or go to vocational training schools.
The Cheju Marine Secondary School offers the standard secondary education curriculum and specializes in marine biology, the general sciences, the ocean and the proper use of the marine resources and fishing. The marine education will be geared towards value and preservation of marine life. During biology and geography classes, the students will be called to learn and examine different species of fishes, plants and coral stones in the sea.
In addition to their studies and extracurricular activities, students work in the large garden providing food for school meals.
Location Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa:
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania. It is tropical paradise, which is facing the great challenge of poverty due to lack of quality education. The best jobs on Zanzibar island are surrounding tourism, which includes hotel management, catering and tour guide work. These jobs are often lost to those who are from the mainland, who have a better education and can speak English, French and German, as most tourists come from these countries. As a result, the natives of the island are left with minor jobs, which does not give them enough income for sustainability. Cheju aims to change the tides of success by educating their students in the government curriculum, especially in English and math.
The large farm at Cheju is a source of food for students.
Students help with the farming as part of their daily routine.
The students:
The typical student is between the ages of 14 and 18. And just think – for these kids to complete secondary school, they are facing another 6 years of education. Some will be 24 years old before completing school, yet they are determined to do so. Many are from very poor families whose only hope is their children to get an education to help their family and give themselves a have a chance for a better life. The families and students are very actively involved at the school. Often, families trade labor for food in exchange for school expenses.
In addition to their studies, students are offered extracurricular activities such as sports, traditional music, dance and games. Due to the location near the beautiful beach, the students have the opportunity to swim in the Indian Ocean. They are also asked to help with manual work such as farming, caring for the 100 pigs and cleaning school grounds.
Community service; adult literacy, women’s empowerment and youth outreach programs:
Cheju Marine Secondary School serves students and the people of Zanzibar in many ways. First, it allows students to stay on the island and near their families to go to school rather than to the mainland of Tanzania where it is costly to travel home. Also, since the economy of Zanzibar is centered on the fishing industry as well as tourism, the combination of the marine and science education as well as a good foundation in English will help them improve the overall economy of this poor island as well as keep the young people on the island rather than losing them to mainland.
Cheju also serves its community in many other ways. It offers free classes for adults in English and literacy, which is imperative for their success. The local fishermen are offered evening classes to learn of what kind of fish and plants need to be preserved in the sea rather than harvested. These programs improve the ability of adults in the community to work in the tourism trade, which is the leading source of income for Zanzibar.
Cheju also has programs to work toward the empowerment of women by teaching them literacy and English, providing plots of land to garden and sell vegetables, teaching them business skills, teaching them to raise poultry, encouraging them to stand up for their rights and make good life choices and encouraging them to send their children to school.
The school also offers youth outreach programs. They teach English to the youth from around the community and give workshops to different groups of people about health issues such as Malaria and HIV/AIDS, and conduct programs for children. The children's organization is called "Children of Peace and Justice".
Elimu Africa – Cheju Liaison, Sister Chrispina Lekule
We are most fortunate to have Sister Chrispina Lekule of Tanzania residing in St Cloud, MN until 2010 to serve as our liaison with staff at Cheju. Sister Chrispina, a life-long educator, is completing her second graduate degree at St Cloud State University in Minnesota (USA). With her deep passion for education, helping the poor and women’s empowerment, her intelligence, eloquence and humor, Sister Chispina has been a wonderful rafiki (friend) and inspiration, and great help for us at Elimu Africa.
Sister Chrispina Lekule
Cheju Wisdom Center Location:
Cheju is located on the beautiful island of Zanzibar off the coast of mainland Tanzania, East Africa.
Map of Tanzania
Map of Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa
About Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa
Zanzibar is an island partner within the United Republic of Tanzania, located in the Indian Ocean about 35 km off the coast of mainland Tanzania at six degrees south of the Equator. Zanzibar is made up of many islands, the main two being Unguja (sometimes called Zanzibar) and Pemba. The highest point is 390 feet above sea level. It is a beautiful tropical paradise filled with people who are suffering from poverty, lack of education, lack of health care, abuse of women and health issues.
Area: 2,461 sq km (950 sq miles)
Major languages: Kiswahili, English
Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 44 years (women)
Monetary unit: Tanzania shilling
Main exports: Cloves, seaweed, coconut, copra
International dialing code: +255
Language: The main language is Kiswahili. Even if you only use a few words while you are in Zanzibar you will make many friends. English is widely spoken and many people also speak Arabic. Other European languages such as French, German and Italian are known by some local people, especially around the tourist areas.
Population: The combined population of Zanzibar including Pemba is approx 1,000,000.
Religion: About 95%-98% of the local population is Muslim. The remainder is Hindu or Christian and some with traditional beliefs. As well as many, many mosques, Stone Town hosts an Anglican and a Catholic Cathedral and a Hindu Temple.
Time difference: 3 hours ahead of GMT. 8-9 hours ahead of USA Central time (time difference depends on whether daylight savings time is in effect)
Electricity: Power system is 220-240 volts ac, plugs 13amp usually square pin.
General information – culture:
The population of Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim with a rich Swahili culture. Because of religious and cultural traditions, dress code is important and men and women should dress appropriately when away from the beach (for example covering shoulders and legs to below the knees). Beachwear on the beach is fine, although nude or topless bathing is not tolerated.
When in villages or in Stone Town wearing beachwear would and does cause the local people to feel offended. Try to wear more modest, loose-fitting, non-transparent clothing when in public.
Zanzibari people are generally very warm, open and hospitable, and your respect for permission before taking photographs or filming local people is appreciated. Do not take photos or film at sensitive government sites including the State House, seaport, airport or military sites. If uncertain, it is always better to ask.
Public consumption of alcohol is not permissible, except in hotels and tourist areas, bars and some restaurants, where it is no problem.
Public displays of affection such as kissing are not customary and generally considered offensive, unless behind closed doors.
Local customs should be respected. Mosques are sacred places and there is generally no entry to non-Muslims, unless accompanied by a person of the faith who can show you around except during the times for congregational prayer, which are five times daily.
When offering or accepting things, try and remember to offer and receive with your right hand. This is the hand that should also be used for eating.
Climate: Zanzibar experiences ideal vacation weather for most of the year, with the exception of April and May, which are seasonally subject to the long rains. Short rains can occur in November but are characterized by short showers, which do not last long. The heat of summer is seasonally often calmed by windy conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the North and East coast. Being near the equator, the islands are warm all year round but officially summer and winter peak in December and June respectively. Zanzibar is blessed with an average of 7-8 hours of sunshine daily.
Seasons:
SUMMER - November to May - hot, some humidity with rains in November, May and June.
WINTER - June to October - warm with rains in June, otherwise sunny.
BEST - December to March and July to October
Money matters: The unit of local currency is the Tanzania Shilling (TSh). American dollars in cash or travelers checks are acceptable in many places around town. Credit cards are still almost unknown in Zanzibar, and if you do manage to find a place to use them, there will usually be a surcharge of at least 10%. Bartering about prices is common in Zanzibar marketplaces. Hotel, restaurant and tour operator prices are generally non-negotiable.
History of Zanzibar: A former centre of the spice and slave trades, present-day Zanzibar is infused with African, Arabic, European and Indian influences.
Its original settlers were Bantu-speaking Africans. From the 10th century Persians arrived. But it was the Arab incomers, particularly Omanis, whose influence would be paramount.
The Arabs set up trading colonies and in 1832 the Omani sultan moved his capital from Muscat to Zanzibar, by now a major slave-trading hub. Zanzibar became an independent sultanate.
The slave trade was abolished in 1873 and in 1890 the British declared Zanzibar a protectorate. In 1963 the islands regained independence, but upheaval lay around the corner.
In January 1964 members of the African majority overthrew the established minority Arab ruling elite.
A republic was established and in April the presidents of Zanzibar and Tanganyika (now Tanzania), on the mainland, signed an act of union, forming the United Republic of Tanzania while giving semi-autonomy to Zanzibar.
For a detailed chronology on Zanzibar, go to: http://www.zanzibar.cc/chronology.htm
To view photos of beautiful Zanaibar, go to “Photo Gallery”