Lowassa's early life
Lowassa is from Ngorongoro, Arusha in Tanzania. He is one of six children. Without an education, both of his parents are unemployed and earn a living by juggling many jobs – growing crops, tending livestock and house cleaning. They raise very little money and the family exist in extreme poverty. They live in a very basic dwelling and eat just once a day.
The impact of the constant hunger has been devastating for the long term health of the family and Lowassa’s younger sister died from malnutrition at a young age.
During his early years, Lowassa helped his father to raise money by tending the livestock within their farming community but he was desperate to have an education. Against the wishes of his father and aided by his mother selling charcoal, Lowassa was able to attend Standard One primary school from the age of ten.
Although he loved his primary school it was difficult to study because he simply couldn’t afford the pens, exercise books and uniform needed.
Lowassa joins our school
In 2022, Lowassa finished his standard (primary) education determined to progress onto secondary. He worked hard selling charcoal to save enough for his studies and was supported by his sister who had left school. She took various jobs to help raise money to support her brother’s dreams of an education. In early 2023, he joined a local secondary school and started well but struggled to maintain his grades with all the financial problems he experienced.
Late in 2023, the Sisters travelled to Ngorongoro during their community work and met Lowassa. They were deeply moved by the family’s living conditions, and thankfully we were able to offer him a place at their new school in Dodoma. He joined them in January 2024.
He is now flourishing in the care of the Sisters and has plans to become a teacher when he finishes school so that he can help his family.
“I set foot in the Sisters of Mary Boystown in 2024 and since then my life has completely turned around. I now enjoy the privileges that I once dreamt of – eating three times a day, going to school with complete set of uniform, having exercise notebooks and most of all studying properly. This gives light to my life and another chance to dream.”