INTRODUCTION

Maranatha Mission School is a Christian school owned and run by Maranatha Christian Church in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa. This school was born out of a burden and vision in the heart of Pastor Eric Mukwenda, Senior Pastor of Maranatha Christian Center. He had a burning desire to see children from low and middle-income families be able to get a good, affordable English language education.

The Tanzania education system is conducted in Swahili in the seven years of primary school. Suddenly, when they enter secondary education they are expected to learn in English, which is difficult since they have only had introduction to English as a subject rather than a main language of instruction. Some years back our government allowed individuals or institutions to start Private Primary Schools, which are mostly run with English instruction. Those schools are very expensive and would be impossible for children from low-income or middle class families to attend. For almost five years, Pastor Eric prayed and believed God to help him and Maranatha Christian Center to start an English medium school. Praise the Lord! In August 2000, some friends from Canada who heard about the vision were touched and burdened to help fulfill our vision. Our church members teamed up with our Canadian brothers and sisters to build the school. We are also grateful to our other friends, specifically a couple from Ottawa who supported the purchase of the initial piece of land. Also, Immanuel’s Church in the USA helped us purchase another piece of land for expansion. On January 8, 2001, the Maranatha Mission School started with 60 kids. More children applied than we had room for and we had to turn at least 70 of them away. In addition to academic education, we are able to instruct in the ways of the Lord. Though, this is a Christian school, all religions are accepted. Presently, we have students of many different religions, including Moslems. We are also grateful to friends and churches who have supported us to buy additional lands for school expansion after we started.


Students and teacher in class.
A team from Dorchester, Ontario, Canada in August 2000, who came to help start building school classrooms.


BREAKING THE COMMON TREND

The trend here in most cases has been that if the parents were not well educated or not educated at all, their children would end up the same way. By educating those kids, we are breaking the cycle. We know that as we are training them in the ways of the Lord and that we are preparing future national leaders and professionals who fear the Lord.


Students assembling and praying before classes.


OUR VISION and MISSION

  • Quality education for school age children from low and middle class families.
  • To provide quality education that meets the spiritual and physical needs of children.


    BENEFITS

  • Children will be able to receive quality education in the English language from preschool through High School.
  • Low and middle class children will be enabled to receive quality education at an affordable cost.
  • Children will be more equipped to adapt to secondary schools.


    OBJECTIVES

  • To construct a new classroom each year until we reach high school level. We now have preschool class, kindergarten, preparatory class, first grade, and second grade.
  • To enroll between 50-60 new kids each year and to add one grade each year.
  • To recruit qualified staff as the need arises.
  • To provide textbooks, teaching materials and necessary school supplies.
  • To provide a spiritual foundation for all pupils.
  • To start secondary school by 2009,full primary school level started in 2008.


    NEEDS AND BUDGET (Overhead costs)

  • Overhead costs needed to run the school is $6000/month. This includes teacher salaries, teaching materials, tea and snacks, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and sanitation.

    OTHER NEEDS FOR SCHOOL EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Construction of four story building for classrooms, offices, and bathrooms. This will help to have 2 classes for each grade and secondary school rooms (we are turning kids away): $250,000.
  • Construction of staff quarters. 2 buildings will cost $20,000 total. This will enable us to provide adequate living environments for teachers and other staff.
  • One time need of $40,000 to buy some pieces of land around the school for present and future expansion.
  • School vehicle estimated cost: $15,000


    New five story building under construction.


    SPONSORSHIP NEEDS

    We need sponsorship to help subsidize overhead costs of running Maranatha Mission School. We need $20.00 a month per child to be able to subsidize overhead expenses.

    The fees parents’ pay is very small and not enough to run the school. If we raise the fees, no one will be able to afford it and we will be out of our vision to provide this quality education. Our support will help us make possible education to low and middle class children. We also have a few children of widows, who cannot afford the low fees; therefore their children attend the school free or below the normal charges. Presently we have 236 kids in pre-school to seventh grade. Each year, we are adding one more grade. In January, 2009, we will add more than 25 new kids for primary school and 25 kids for secondary school.


    Students, 2007


    Our 24 full-time staff, 2007

    Those who sponsor school children will receive a picture of a child they will sponsor, as well academic progress report once a year. We encourage individuals and churches to stand with us in prayer and by supporting a child or number of children. Addtionally, we would appreciate you keeping our needs for school expansion and development in mind when you pray about your support.

    If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact us.


    SUPPORT

    If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact us at school@maranathatz.org.

    If you would like to send us a donation, please obtain our address on the contact page.

    In the memo line of your check write Africa missions.
    100% of your funds will go to support the Maranatha Christian School.

    You will receive a year-end giving receipt for your donations




    Some school students, teachers and staff. (2002)
    Some school students, teachers and staff.(2005) We have 176 kids now, from pre-school to fourth grade.



    Visiting Friend from Canada, Pastor Aforabi of Christ Chapel, Visiting One of Our Classes.
    All school staff: 14 teachers and 8 non-teachers.