"Bright new hope for girls": Education for girls and young women in Shinyanga, Tanzania

This page was created in collaboration with my friend Lucy Thomas, a local pastor in Shinyanga region of Tanzania, who is in charge of a project (titled "Bright new hope for girls") supporting young women in her region to overcome barriers to completing their education.

When I met Pastor Lucy in May 2024, I was working in Shinyanga as a volunteer optometrist. As I learnt about local life, one of the most shocking facts I learnt was that many girls miss out on school when on their period due to stigma, limited access to sanitary products and information about menstrual hygiene management. That's up to a week of school missed every month, which leads to falling behind and dropping out. There are also tribes that do not agree for girls to finish school and instead they are required to be married at a young age.

Other barriers to completing education include the need for school supplies such as stationery and uniforms, which can be a big financial burden for some families.

Beyond my brief stay in Tanzania providing eye care services, I wish to contribute further to address this important issue faced by girls and young women in the places that I've had the privilege of visiting. Your donation would go a long way in supporting this goal.