Early life
Yohana is the eldest of four children from a very poor family in Dodoma. Excluded from school because his mother couldn’t afford the uniform or study materials, Yohana had no choice but to stay home and help his mother by working on neighbouring farms.
It was a desperately tough life. Together they worked extremely long hours trying to grow crops for very little pay. The work was difficult and their earnings were never enough to feed the family. Together the family lived in a very basic dwelling, sharing just three rooms and often only eating once a day.
Life at school
Early in 2023, Yohana met the Sisters of Mary during their community work in his region and he was one of the first students to join the school in August 2023.
He says, “First I come in the Sisters of Mary in 20 August 2023. I excited to see my fellow students from different places. I was very happy to communicate and to know them.”
Yohana has worked hard at school and settled in well. The last year has been a joyful revelation to him.
“I have received many things including clothes, class equipment, also cleaning materials like toothbrush, comb and handkerchiefs. Also now here in the Sisters of Mary I am sleeping in a cleen environment, under good mosquito net and good mattress, not like when I am home.”
Making the most of the opportunity for an education
Yohana is now flourishing and taking every opportunity during his time with us as he prepares for a better, independent life.
“Here in the Sisters of Mary, I like all our activities, I like very much to sing in the choir and I think this is my talent. And I love football too. But I really like here very much. I want to become a teacher or doctor so in order to reach my goals I have to serious and to study hard until I reach them. Also I want to become a big donor of the Sisters of Mary and to help other poor children like me. I would like to thank the Sisters and benefactors for helping me in getting good education. Thank you so much!”