Projects
ASAP is dedicated to improving access to quality education for children in rural Tanzanian communities, particularly girls, so they may pursue a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.
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ASAP has three important initiatives that help achieve our mission.
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Community School Development: ASAP develops community schools (primary and secondary) in rural Tanzania for the purpose of expanding access to quality education. We have a holistic approach to school development, meaning that we aim to provide each school with the facilities needed to enable the students and teachers to thrive. Most of our schools include classrooms, teacher’s offices, toilets & hand washing stations, water systems, solar power (where appropriate), playing fields, kitchens and teacher’s housing. Thus far, ASAP has assisted in the development of thirteen community schools serving more than 7,500 children annually in rural Tanzanian communities and the schools are achieving impressive academic results. In fact, our first primary school has had a 90-100% graduation rate since the school first opened. This is a stunning success rate in a country where the national average is a dismal 36%. Our community-owned school development model is efficient, effective, measurable, scalable and culturally appropriate.
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Kupanda Project for Girls (A Replicable Model to Improve Secondary School Completion Rates in Rural Tanzanian Communities): ASAP created The Kupanda Project for Girls, a replicable model to increase secondary school graduation rates for girls in rural Tanzania. The project supports girls in all aspects of their lives so they can personally thrive and succeed in school. The Kupanda Project is currently being implemented in the Mwanza Region and has raised the girl’s secondary school completion rate from 4% to 96%!! See below for more details about the project.
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Volunteering To Support Schools: ASAP leads groups of American volunteers to work on our school projects each summer to create a cross-cultural understanding between Americans and Africans. We believe the “ripple effect” of these trips will have long-lasting implications for the world.
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Current Projects
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Ward Development Projects: An integral part of ASAP’s development model is to focus on the development of schools throughout a particular ward or region. The idea is to raise the standard of education — pre-primary through secondary level — for an entire community, thereby having a more comprehensive impact on the future standard of living of the area. Currently ASAP is developing the education system of the Idetemya and Mwaniko Wards of Tanzania’s Mwanza region. This includes building new schools and expanding/refurbishing existing schools that are in poor condition. While much progress has been made, the schools still desperately need water systems, toilets, classrooms, books & desks, teacher’s housing, science labs, electricity, kitchens and playing fields.
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Improving Girls Secondary Education: In addition to building and refurbishing schools, ASAP has created a replicable model to increase girls’ secondary school graduation rates in East Africa and to empower young women to ignite change in their communities. The Kupanda Project for Girls is predicated on the idea that there are many answers to the question “What does a girl in rural East Africa need to be successful in school?” It supports girls in a holistic way to access and succeed in secondary school, thereby improving the likelihood that they will graduate and pursue tertiary education and/or employment. Ultimately, this initiative will empower thousands of girls to improve their lives and inspire change for future generations. The Kupanda Project includes 1) dormitories with wrap-around services, including safety, nutrition, clean water, sanitation and menstrual support, 2) academic programs, including teacher training, science & math, computer training, and personal tutoring, 3) leadership & empowerment development, and 4) community education and engagement to build support for girl’s education.
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