Advancing local-led community development, one step at a time
To enter secondary school, children must pass an English exam, but rural schools teach minimal English, hindering progress past eighth grade. Girls face even greater barriers: fewer attend or graduate high school compared to boys.
Rural hospitals, like many in developing countries, cannot provide meals, leaving patients reliant on families with limited resources.
In Shirati, Tanzania, REACH Shirati is dedicated to addressing these issues.
New Tina’s Pre and Primary School and our Community Health Program are community-led initiatives offering quality education and healthcare.
New Tina’s Pre and Primary School is the primary beneficiary of our donations, and was the first project established by our Founder, Christine Chacha, in Shirati, Tanzania. As a community school, New Tina’s offers nominal tuition to over 450 students from grades 1 through 7 that is waived for families in need. New Tina’s provides a safe, nurturing environment, helping students excel academically and personally, with a strong focus on bridging the education gap and supporting girls. Since its inception, New Tina’s has consistently outperformed other regional schools on secondary school entrance exams, with its girls achieving higher scores than those from other schools.
Our Community Health program engages local residents to collaboratively identify and address the most pressing health challenges. The Hospital Food Program provides over 18,000 nutritious meals annually, primarily to patients in Shirati Hospital’s pediatric and maternity wards. We also support community health projects, including HIV/AIDS education, testing, and treatment.
Our Gender Respect Program and secondary girls mentorship program (Binti na Shule) are aimed at building a more equitable environment for school aged girls and boys in Tanzania. Our programs offer mentorship, emotional support, and educational activities to foster self-empowerment, resilience, and respect for all.
The Scholarship Program at REACH Shirati ensures New Tina’s School graduates can pursue their educational aspirations, regardless of financial circumstances. It covers tuition and boarding fees, testing and exam fees, and school supplies for students advancing to secondary education or higher education. With mentorship and personalized guidance, we encourage students to achieve their academic goals and positively contribute to their communities.
Inspired by her own transformative journey, Christine sought to create opportunities through education, healthcare, and community development. Her efforts have laid the foundation for numerous impactful programs that continue to thrive today.
Starting with New Tina’s School to provide quality education, REACH Shirati has expanded to address the evolving needs of the community. We introduced academic mentorship programs, like Binti na Shule, to support girls in secondary school and launched scholarship initiatives to help students pursue higher education.
Christine’s legacy lives on through our dedicated team and the ongoing support from our donors. Your contributions enable us to continue this important work, fostering a brighter future for the Shirati community.
