Treasures of Tamani Foundation

By Moqheeta Mehboob

AI-generated image created with child protection in mind


Tucked away behind the vast white expanse of the Zanzibar seaside and swaying coconut trees lies a school full of curiosity and wonder. My first interaction with the students was both heartwarming and amusing—an experience I can’t wait to share with you.

As I was passing by the classrooms after lunch, I noticed one class sitting without a teacher. The teacher had taken sudden medical leave. So, I took the opportunity to step in—to get to know the students and informally assess their comprehension and cognitive abilities.

Since I knew that they were strong in Swahili, their national language, and had only recently shifted to English, I approached them with care, adjusting my speed and vocabulary. Keeping everything simple and slow, I told them a short story about a beautiful white cat caught in the rain, searching for shelter until a kind lady took her in.

I narrated the story with lots of dramatization, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. After this, I drew two columns on the board and wrote BOYS and GIRLS. The class immediately understood that we were about to play a game.

I asked questions about the story. I was pleased to see that the children could easily recall the key points, meaning they had been listening, comprehending, and following the plot. However, the girls were fewer in number than the boys and were struggling to answer the questions, causing them to fall behind in the game.

Here comes the amusing part.

One girl pointed at Yusuf, a boy sitting next to her, and begged me to ask him a question directly. To this, all the boys shouted a huge "NO!"

They weren’t speaking in full English sentences, but I could tell what they meant. They were afraid that if I asked Yusuf a question, he would get it wrong and cause their team to lose!"

The girl, however, wanted exactly that—how cheeky of her! 😊


This moment revealed an unspoken belief among the students about Yusuf. A belief that he couldn't answer correctly. I had to challenge that perception.

I called Yusuf to the front, patted him on the back, and said, "I know you are smart. You can answer this. So listen carefully."

I asked him a question from the story. And guess what?

The whole class erupted in excitement!

Why? Because Yusuf got it right.

The boys' team was thrilled -because Yusuf had just made them win. Imagine the confidence boost he must have felt!

It was heartwarming to see him beaming with happiness and pride.

These little incidents become life-changing moments for children. They also serve as powerful reminders for educators: With the right approach, we can break through mountains of self-doubt and replace them with self-belief.

I have just begun my journey here at Tamani. I am sure, along the way, I will discover many such beautiful pearls hidden deep within this ocean of learning.

Stay tuned to explore Tamani’s treasures with me!

Location: Matemwe, Tanzania

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