Education Tanzania, United Republic of Project #64680

PORRIDGE AND DESKS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS

by INTERNATIONAL ROTARY FELLOWSHIP OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS (UK) TRUST FUND

Project Report | Jan 16, 2026
OUR SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN OF UKEREWE CONTINUES

By Dr John Philip | Project Lead

During this period of reporing we received no donations from our supporters on this platform. This did not deter us.

We were able to harness support from other sources.

We were able to build three simple cooking blocks in primary schools to enable volunteer mums to cook porridge for the pupils in the school. A report from Ukerewe, Tanzania says:

Three fully operational indoor cooking facilities are now in use, the benefits are:

Approximately 1,800 pupils benefit from regular access to self-prepared porridge and basic meals.
Improved pupil attendance, concentration, and overall wellbeing have been observed by school staff.
Strengthened collaboration between schools and communities ensures sustainability and long-term impact.
Reduced environmental impact through the use of fuel-efficient stoves.

This is a low cost high impact project helping thousands of primary school pupils to have some nourishment at school.

We beleive that education is the key to exiting from the cycle of poverty. We want continue to walk along the children of Ukerewe and show them that we care.

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Sep 22, 2025
Empowering Education in Ukerewe: A Call to Action

By DR JOHN PHILIP | PROJECT LEADER

Jun 2, 2025
THE HAZARDS OF OPEN FIRE COOKING

By DR JOHN PHILIP | PROJECT LEAD

Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. But on the island of Ukerewe many young people, though keen to learn, struggle to gain a decent education.

Many primary schools are overcrowded, some with around 1000 pupils. School buildings are in a state of disrepair, class rooms are often bare.

Children walk long distances to get to school often with nothing to eat or drink. Our farming project uses land around the school buildings to grow maze, sorghum and other crops. This helps schools to provide two or three times a week porridge to pupils.

Cooking porridge is usually the job of senior girls who use traditional methods (three stones and fire wood) to make porridge. The smoke from the open fire is often oppressive and harmful.

We were delighted when local technicians told us about fuel saving stoves and cookhouses. The cost of building one such cookhouse is about GBP 1,300.00

With your support and support from others we have been able to construct 5 cookhouse in schools enabling the girls to prepare porridge in a relatively safe manner.

Thank you for your support. There are so many competing demands for your limited funds.

In this project, every penny you donate is spent on the project – we have no overheads. The project is sustainable, addresses environmental issues, upskills a whole generation of young people, and above all, makes them aware that they are loved.

Call to Action:

We need your continued support to expand this project and reach more schools. Please consider making a donation today to help us provide more resources and training to these communities. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of these children.

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/porridge-for-primary-school-pupils

John Philip

May 2025

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