Some of the participants of our programs are definitely no "victims". They have made some bad decisions in their lives, they have chosen a wrong way to go. But they deserve a second chance - if they are ready, to catch it. Like 18 years old Jackson.

On January 7th, over 50 young people, most of them young mothers, started with the actual class of Computer Literacy at EBLI. This year, we enlarge the part of tuition in life skills, so the students will learn more about SRHR and GBV and how they can change their behavior. And they will also be taught in business skills to start an independent, successful life - even if they dropped out of school and do not have a Certificate of Secondary Education.

Would you like to know more about EBLI’s students? Let us present you some of them. Today, we like to introduce you Jackline. Jackline is 18 years old and lives together with a female relative in Mabatini, Mwanza. In March 2018, she had to leave Secondary School, because she attended classes not regularly, due to a lack of financial support from her parents for school material, uniform and transport fees as well as the family needed her to help at home. Jackline was happy, to find a job at a bar, where she earned some money and also found new female friends at her age. She also met a young man, 25 years old, who became her boyfriend. Soon, Jackline became pregnant and her boyfriend refused to meet her again, as he had no intention at all to marry her. Jackline was seeking support and advice from her new friends. They were telling her, she could not give birth to that child. She would lose her job, would get problems with her family and - most important - would lose them as her close friends. Finally, the girls convinced Jackline, to have an abortion and to do it at one of the girls’ home. Luckily, Jackline survived the procedure and does not seem to have any health issues due to the self-made abortion, but until today, she has not met a gynecologist. As time passed by, Jackline began to doubt about her friendship with these young women. And when she got a flyer with information about EBLI’s Computer Literacy program, she decided, to quit her job at the bar, to left these girls behind and to start the program. After finishing the program, she wants to work as a secretary to earn enough money to support her family and to have a family of her own - one day.

Two of EBLI's staff members, Lucy Metha and Andrew Mwakibolwa, had the chance to take part in seminar organized by Terre des Hommes Schweiz, to become official Practitioners in Solution Focused Approach. Today, Constantine Nyambajo from Terre des Hommes Schweiz (Dar es Salaam) took the chance to congratulate them both to their success and Catherine Hollinger handed over the certificates personally. Hongereni sana, Lucy and Andrew, we are so proud of you!

Today, the last sessions of the National Examination in Secondary Education took place. Right after the exams, some of EBLI's students rushed back to join the graduation party at EBLI, where they were very warm welcomed. We also used the chance, to thank the teachers for their good work and big effort. Asanteni sana wote!

Gabrielle Cuda, EBLI's English teacher and Maryknoll Lay Missioner from the USA, had prepared a surprise for her students today: during the graduation of the 14th class of EBLI's Young Mothers Computer Literacy program, they received their certificates for their English studies at EBLI. Catherine Hollinger from Terre des Hommes Schweiz had the pleasure, to hand out the first English Certificates. But also the students didn't miss the occasion to surprise the audience by reciting a poem in English. Congratulations to all of them!

Today was a very special day - for the 57 young people who came together to celebrate  the graduation of the 14th class of EBLI's Young Mother Computer Literacy Program as well as for all of us. EBLI's main donor and longtime supporting partner, Terre des Hommes Schweiz, took part in the celebration. Cahterine Hollinger from Terre des Hommes Schweiz head office in Basel, Switzerland and Constantine Nyambajo from the Tanzanian office in Dar es Salaam joined us to be our guests of honor! What a great pleasure, to have them among us.
The students we celebrated today, successfully accomplished a holistic program, learned computer skills, were taught in sexual and reproductive health and rights (together with gender based violence) and were introduced in entrepreneurship. Today, they thrilled their audience - parents, friends and EBLI's staff members - with their own songs, dances and even a fashion show.
We are extremely proud of all of them - young women and men who are willing and ready to create their own future. We wish them all the best.

Emmanuel, 20: “In my dreams I want to be a lawyer and help poor people in my country. I want to hug poor kids and  tell them that they are not alone, I want to make a promise to help the needy and abolish the greed from my life. I want to travel all over the world to see the things which are not around in Tanzania and to study about the culture of other countries. I want to know ways to solve the problems like poverty and to teach people about human rights and to help street children especially children whose parents died to show them their not alone, I am here with them…. I want to help the elderly and to give them their needs like food and clothes, and to respect them and show them love.”

On Monday, the National Examination in Secondary Education has started throughout Tanzania. EBLI's students of Secondary Education take part in the exams as well and we wish them all to pass successfully. Good luck, everybody!

Young people, most of them young mothers, who just finished EBLI's Computer Literacy program, learn how to start their own businesses. Right now, Lucy Metha teaches them how to advertise their businesses, by using several different methods, including the use of social media. After the training, these young people will be able to start their own businesses, as they got essential basic knowledge of accounting, business correspondence, founding procedures etc. We are glad to have the chance to support all these future entrepreneurs!

Young people taking the lead in expressing their opinion on gender based violence during a radio talk show today. EBLI values youth participation in every aspect of project intervention.