Dodoma Boys’ School opens in Tanzania

London, March 2025. World Villages for Children, an international children’s development charity committed to ending poverty through education with the Sisters of Mary, proudly announces the expansion of their humanitarian educational programmes in Tanzania. The school is a part of the organization’s Tanzania programmes near Dar es Salaam – Kisarawe Girls’ School, and the Kiluvya Training and Day Care Centre.

Since the successful establishment of Kisarawe Girls’ School in 2019, the Sisters of Mary have witnessed an overwhelming demand from boys eager to secure a place in their educational programs. Recognizing the pressing need, the Sisters, in collaboration with local authorities, have acquired land in Dodoma to build the Dodoma Boys’s School.

This monumental effort signifies a significant stride toward bridging the education gap for impoverished boys. The program will mirror the Sisters’ dedication to providing equal access to education and vocational training for boys, just as they have done for girls in the region.

The statistics are stark:

• approximately 34% of boys in Tanzania drop out of lower secondary school due to financial constraints.
• 70% of children aged 14-17 years old are not enrolled in secondary school

The Dodoma Boystown aims to eradicate this issue by providing a nurturing environment that offers free, high-quality education and vocational training, enabling boys to acquire skills that will lead to employment opportunities.

Dodoma Boys’ School, in Dodoma, Tanzania is a secondary school aimed at providing young boys aged 11-17 years old with access to a quality education. This momentous occasion marks a significant step forward in the organization’s mission to provide underprivileged children from across Tanzania with access to quality academic and vocational education, empowering them to break the cycle of poverty.

Dodoma Boys’ School is purpose-built to offer comprehensive educational and vocational training to boys from disadvantaged backgrounds. The school’s curriculum is designed to not only foster academic excellence but also to equip students with practical skills that will empower them to secure meaningful employment opportunities upon graduation. This holistic approach is expected to significantly contribute to the socioeconomic development of both the boys and their broader Tanzanian community.

Nicola Lawson, UK Manager of World Villages for Children, expressed her enthusiasm for this new programme, stating, “We really believe that education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty, and with this new boys’ secondary school, we are extending our support in Tanzania and providing boys from the poorest backgrounds with the opportunity to transform their lives, live independently, and contribute positively to society.”

Dodoma Boystown will not only provide formal education but will also emphasize vocational training, allowing students to develop practical skills in areas such as Electrical Engineering & Solar Panel Installation, Welding, Computer Technology, Carpentry, Auto Mechanics, Driving, and more. By integrating vocational education, World Villages for Children aims to ensure that students graduate with a well-rounded skill set that enables them to pursue meaningful careers or even entrepreneurial ventures. In its first phase, Dodoma Boystown will accommodate 160 boys in a single-story building housing dormitories, classrooms, and workshops. As funding permits, the subsequent phases will unfold over three years, with a target to host 900 to 1,000 boys annually upon completion.

The Sisters of Mary’s commitment goes beyond education; they will leverage their network to secure stable employment for boys post-graduation, facilitating their transition into the workforce. This approach aims to not only uplift individual lives but empower entire families and communities.

The inauguration ceremony will feature local government, community leaders, and representatives from various organizations who share the vision of creating a brighter future for Tanzania’s young boys. The event will include a tour of the new facilities, showcasing the classrooms, vocational workshops, dormitories, and recreational spaces that have been designed to facilitate a safe, welcoming and conducive learning environment.

World Villages for Children extends a warm invitation to media representatives, stakeholders, and well-wishers to join in celebrating the opening of Dodoma Boystown and witness the beginning of a transformative journey for these deserving young boys. For those unable to attend, there is an open invitation to schedule time to have a virtual tour of the programme and a conversation with the World Villages for Children team on-site.

For media inquiries, please contact

Carey Evans

Fundraising and Communications Manager

www.worldvillages.org.uk

cevans@worldvillages.org.uk

0207 629 3050

Notes to Editors

• Images of World Villages’ work available on request
• World Villages for Children (WVC) supports the humanitarian programmes of the Sisters of Mary who have established schools – the majority of which are live-in schools – for the most vulnerable children worldwide. They provide them with access to food, healthcare and shelter as well as quality accredited education and vocational training tailored to the skill needs of the local economy. World Villages has 13 secondary schools, one elementary school, five day-care centres, three medical centres, and one training centre for out of school young women. These programmes operate in The Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, and Tanzania.
• WVC, along with affiliated charities in the US and EU, provide the funding needed to operate these programmes.
• The programme supports children of all faiths or none and is accredited by the education authority in each country.
• The humanitarian programmes of the Sisters of Mary work towards 9 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, promote good health and nutrition and provide access to quality education for all children.
• Interviews with World Villages for Children UK Manager and the Sisters of Mary are available on request

About World Villages for Children

World Villages for Children is an international development children’s charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education. With a commitment to providing underprivileged children with access to quality education, vocational training, and essential life skills, World Villages envisions a world where every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential and contribute positively to their families and communities, breaking the cycle of poverty for good.