Lee Brubaker


In February of 2007, I was given the unique opportunity to travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as a volunteer with the ARK Foundation’s Secondary School in Boko Village. I was primarily asked to work with the Tanzanian Ministry of Education to secure the school’s accreditation. I also worked with staff and students to help build upon the administrative infrastructure of the school.


Being that it was my first trip to Africa, I would be dishonest not to admit that I was a little overwhelmed in the beginning. However, with an open mind and an open heart I had a feeling that only good things were to come. When I arrived in Dar es Salaam, I was greeted with a warm reception from my ARK Foundation contact Mama Neema, the staff and the students. The project staff and students instantly allowed me to become involved and dedicatedly worked with me on the tasks that I had been sent there to accomplish.

After working diligently with the Ministry and staff, the school inspectors from the Inspectorate Office in Dar-es-Salaam came to inspect the school as the next part of the accreditation process. We talked to them about the project and ARK’s future vision with the issuance of government registration. I assembled the necessary documentation needed of the school, teacher particulars, equipment listings and other administrative/legal documents for both the Inspectorate’s and the Ministry of Education’s review.


Upon my departure, the inspectors were to write a report of their visit and then pass the documentation and report along to the Ministry of Education.  ARK was promised that a registration number would then be issued.
It was a fascinating process to be a part of as I also work with governmental agencies as a healthcare paralegal for a non-profit here in the District of Columbia.  It was extremely rewarding to be able to give and utilize my skill sets and draw upon resources from my work and education.


I do not have a “to do list” per se in life, but I have always felt that volunteering on an international level was a part of my life path.  As important as it is to give here in the United States, we are just a small part of a much larger world.  It was my distinct honor and privilege to represent the ARK Foundation, the Board, and Rhoi Wangila on my journey and tasks throughout Tanzania.  I have come back to the States a stronger and more confidant woman with the hopes to channel that energy into more international as well as domestic social and public health work.  I have truly been touched and inspired by everyone involved in the mission and work that the ARK Foundation seeks to accomplish. ARK has made a difference in hundreds of lives and mine as well.


Lee Brubaker
March 27, 2007

Fadhil Said Mpis lives in the boy’s dormitory on school grounds. Hadija Said Mpis lives in their birth village of Kitama with mom and four other siblings.

Fadhil feels respectable that he’s getting an education which will help their family’s money situation family’s future. He hopes to be an artist one day and loves to draw.

Every day Hadija travels a far distance to school by dalla dalla from Kitama to Boko village. Some days she is unable to make it due to cost of transportation. She aspires to be like Mama Rhoi one day because she fights for women and others that do not have rights. Hadija is so thankful for the education that has been given to her and she hopes to fulfill her dreams and therefore not struggle so hard in the future. She thinks it is very important to give women a chance through education.

  

Isaack Born in Mwamanyamala, Issack Mwaijoka now lives with his grandmother near the school in Boko village. His mother and sisters live in nearby Mickocheni area.

Issack’s grandmother makes and sells half cakes in order for them to live. Issack hopes to educate himself as far as he can to better his family’s financial situation. He enjoys school and especially likes the arts and sciences. He would like to be come a singer and one day visit America.

Greyson Greyson Ndongo lives in Tandale and loves all subjects. When he grows up he would like to be a doctor and enjoys the study of medicine.

At 18 years of age, Greyson has already lived to see his Mother, Father, Grandmother and Uncle pass away. He now lives with this Aunt and travels by dalla dalla over an hour to school and back home every day. He hopes to find a sponsor that will help him fulfill his dreams of becoming a doctor.

  

Mary Mary Elisafi has also witnessed to many family members passing away at just the tender age of 15. In 2000 Mary lost her Mother, Father and Grandmother.  She now lives with her cousin in Mabobi who sells vegetables and fruit to pay for Mary to ride the dalla dalla to school.   

 

Mary loves school and wants to study and educate herself as much as possible to become a doctor and get herself out of the cycle of poverty.



Gassella Gassella Issa lives with her older sister and husband in a small room in Tabata. She loves Physics, Geography and History. Gassela hopes to become scientist when she grows up. She also enjoys playing netball at school. 

 

She would like people outside Tanzania to understand that life can be hard.

  

Moses Moses Victor Mbaga was born in Uganda and his mother passed away when he was very young. He now lives in Boko village. He enjoys school and his favorite subject is English.


Moses hopes to be a pilot one day so that he could see more of the world and fly through the clouds.


He would like if the world could be better friends.

Jackson Born in Mandela, Jackson Mohamed is an orphan and now lives in the boy’s dormitory at school. He enjoys reading novels and would like people outside of Tanzania to know that he works very hard at his studies so that he can pass his exams.


He would like to be a teacher at a Secondary School in Tanzania one day.