A Fight For School
By JD, Oliva, Barrett, Skyelar, Chris
Education is needed in our everyday lives, for
without it we could not succeed and fulfill our
dreams. Every person, male or female, should be
given the same learning opportunities to be able
to accomplish his or her goals. A person must be
well educated in order to make a difference. In
the United States, public education is taken for
granted because it is free and mandated by state.
However this is not the case everywhere in the
world, for example, Tanzania. Little was done
about these social problems until young activist
Shannon McNamara founded her non-profit
organization, SHARE in 2008. Many young girls
have aspirations, but without a proper education,
not much can be done to support them. Through
Shannon’s organization, she is opening up many
opportunities. "I like SHARE programs because I
want to read," Joanitha said back then. "I want to
read books so that I want to become a leader."(1)
This young girl embodies the main goal of
SHARE; to inspire girls and help them believe
that anything is possible. Through her continued
efforts in Tanzania, Africa, McNamara has used
SHARE to help thousands of girl’s lives
particularly in education; by collecting donations
and supplies, by providing safe work
environments, and through giving support and a
community to those in need.
First of all SHARE has provided the simple, yet
necessary tools for the girls in Tanzania Africa to
succeed in their education; writing and reading
materials, along with, in some cases money.
Volunteers of SHARE often organize supply
drives at local markets in order to give the girls
with thousands of basic items such as pens,
erasers, markers, staplers, paper, and much
more(2). Additionally SHARE has recently
recieved donations of computers and help in
incorporating free educational
websites such as Khan
Academy(3). While it
may seem basic, these
items and services are
crucial to helping the
girls of Tanzania move
forward in their education,
for sadly without it they
could not physically practice
their writing. Now by incorporating the internet
and Khan Academy in these schools, teachers and
students alike are capable of learning more
subjects and topics than they could’ve imagined,
all for free. All that was needed was a small
donation of a computer to open up an unlimited
world of knowledge to these kids.
Secondly, through success in the media, SHARE
has received enough donations to build now four
state of the art libraries in Tanzania. The first,
still hosting after school reading programs and
used by over 600 students, was finished in 2009
was equipped with electricity for computers,
2000 books, and 4000 school items(4).
These libraries are
effective and efficient
to make as they are
converted from old
granaries or homes
(4). It’s incredibly
important for these
girls to have a
safe and welcoming
learning environment; as long as these libraries
are protected and organized, girls will continue
to feel confident and in charge of their
education. Especially with technology and clean
resources in the library students are able to
easily learn.