The 4H Career Pathways Program (4HCP) is a pilot program designed to bolster extracurricular clubs in primary and secondary schools. It involves students in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, while fostering essential life skills for self-reliance and self-discipline. Moreover, the program guides students through career exploration and development.
Operating within four secondary schools (Etaro, Nyegina, Mkirira, and Mkono) and four primary schools (Nyegina A, Nyegina B, Mkirira A, and Mkirira B) in Musoma Rural Distirct, Tanzania. Its overarching goal is to support community-identified educational improvements for youth, especially girls, in the Mara region as a way to escape poverty. By instilling a sense of responsibility and fostering financial independence, the program cultivates a generation of young people who are not just job seekers but capable of creating employment opportunities.
Students are provided enriching experiences in business management, leadership, STEM subjects, ICT, agriculture, environmental conservation, healthcare, and the arts, all through hands-on projects and a “learn by doing” approach. Club activities are typically conducted outside of regular school hours, allowing students to immerse themselves fully in the learning process.
Over four years, the 4HCP project has positively impacted over 2,000 students. Currently, more than 600 students actively participate in 4HCP programs across the eight schools involved. The project has significantly empowered girls, leading to improved academic performance and a reduction in school dropouts due to early pregnancies and menstrual cycle-related absenteeism. In 2023, the project addressed water scarcity challenges by supporting the construction of water tanks in three Mkirira schools, facilitating student-led initiatives such as the 4H gardens. These efforts, alongside tree planting and school cleanliness management, have enhanced academic performance, evidenced by improved attendance and punctuality. Through partnership and funding from Tanzania Development Support and technical support from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), the project provided ICT training through the installation of a computer lab with 25 computers at Etaro Secondary School.
Current Projects
- New Water Tank Construction: We are constructing a new water tank storage at Etaro Secondary School to address water scarcity and support 4HCP gardening activities and hygiene initiatives.
- 4HCP STEM Integration Proposal: We are actively seeking donors and partners to support our STEM project proposal, which aims to integrate 4HCP activities with classroom subjects using science and computer labs. This initiative will enhance students’ practical knowledge and skills in STEM fields.
Challenges and Opportunities
While we have achieved significant milestones, we face the challenge of financial scarcity, which limits our ability to expand the program and reach more students, particularly girls from poor families in the Mara region. We are eager to extend the 4HCP program to more schools in the Musoma rural district, aiming to empower more girls and help them break the cycle of poverty.
Contact:
John Kuboja, Coordinator
GRA-TZ 4H Program
Email: john@globalresourcealliance.org
Phone: +255 624 517 890