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Copy of Kathryn Heatons’s email to Mr. Dunford Makala
Commissioner for Social Welfare, Tanzania
20th August 2011
Dear Mr. Makala,
I am writing to thank you for the time you have invested in investigating the matter with regard to three of the Bethany girls coming to study in England and would appreciate your time spent reading my email.
Currently, I am an Assistant Head teacher and have been a qualified teacher for thirteen years. During that time, my school has welcomed a visit from the Bethany children who have sung songs and talked about life in Africa so that our children are given a helpful insight into the way in which other people live in other countries. All of the staff and children enjoyed their visit immensely and were all impressed by the high standards of behaviour exhibited by all of the Bethany children.
During the summer of 2009, I was privileged to be able to take the opportunity to visit the Bethany orphanage where I taught English and found that the Bethany children were polite, dedicated to their work and demonstrated respect at all times. As a teacher, I fully understand the importance of a good education and the impact that this has on a person and their country. As a result, I also understand why the Tanzanian government would place such an emphasis on children finishing their secondary education. These three girls may be orphans but I am certain that the government would also want the best opportunities for them. I firmly believe that children deserve the best learning experiences, without prejudice, in order to achieve their full potential and that the Bethany team are looking to fulfil the best interests of the children within their care as a good parent would do.
Through their study at Accrington and Rossendale College in England, the girls will be provided with an education that the school inspectors describe as ‘outstanding’. Additionally, they will have access to individual books, computers, small class sizes and many other resources. This can only benefit the girls and, therefore, their country. Not only will it improve their English skills, but broaden their education and provide the girls with excellent qualifications with the ability to teach in Tanzania on their return. However, if it is deemed necessary, the girls could also finish their Tanzanian secondary education on their return but if they were to complete it now they would lose the generous life-changing opportunity offered at Accrington and Rossendale College due to our current economic climate. It is a fantastic opportunity which begins in September 2011. The girls have worked hard to pass the IELTs exam and it would be a great shame for them to miss out on such a privileged opportunity.
I cannot urge you enough to consider the responses from more than one source when coming to a decision. I believe that you are a wise and fair man who would want the best opportunities for any Tanzanian child. After all, children are the future of your country.
Yours sincerely,
Kathryn Heaton
(BA Hons Music with Qualified Teacher Status)
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