CORE Tanzania

The mission of CORE Tanzania ("Creating Opportunity though Rural Education") is to increase access to quality education in rural Tanzania. We believe that improved education will help lift communities out of poverty. Our vision is that every child, no matter how poor, will be educated to reach his or her maximum potential, creating rural communities that are thriving both economically and socially and that are contributing to a positive and sustainable future for the country. CORE Tanzania originated as a response to the observations of founder Michael Banobi of the declining vitality of the community in his native village, Bushasha. He became convinced that improved education was the most important factor needed to move the community forward. Michael approached village elders to discuss the educational needs of their community, and they identified the need for a second primary school. The existing school was severely over-crowded and under-resourced, and was not providing adequate preparation for high school. They offered to donate village land for a new school. Michael gathered a group of volunteer board members and formed CORE Tanzania in July 2016. CORE chose the establishment of a new school in Bushasha as its first project. With the support of many committed volunteers and donors, CORE Tanzania completed construction of the first phase of Twegashe Primary School in 2020, and the second phase in 2022. The school opened in 2020 with one class of kindergartners, and is now (July 2024) providing quality instruction – with a focus on active, hands-on learning and critical thinking – to 180 village children in grades K-4 who could otherwise not afford this type of education.

CORE Tanzania is working with rural communities to provide a high-quality education option that will help these communities lift themselves out of poverty. CORE's current program is the operation of Twegashe Primary School, in the village of Bushasha in northwest Tanzania. Constructed on land donated by the village, this school is helping to relieve overcrowding in the local public school, and is providing a high-quality education, using English as the language of instruction. All village children are eligible for admission regardless of family income. In addition to strong academics and a focus on the whole child, the school's programs promote environmental sustainability, positive health and agricultural practices, and cross-cultural understanding. The goal is for every student who graduates from Twegashe Primary School to have the foundation they need to reach their full potential and make a positive contribution to their community.