Linda Simon

      Linda helping Mary Kiruti          Linda helping Naiboo and Roza

     I am a Maasai girl aged 20, from Longido District in Arusha , Tanzania .  I joined Emusoi Center , January, 2002.  Coming from an economically poor family, I was so worried on how I was going to pursue my post primary school education.  I knew my mother wanted me to go to school but looking back, in the early‘90’s my elder sister and brother completed their primary education.  My brother went on to secondary school and my sister stayed home for  five years until she got a school by chance just as she was about to be married.   At the time my other brother and I were in the same class in Standard 7.  My mother couldn’t pay for all 5 of us in secondary school so I wanted to do well in our exams so that I could go into a government school which is inexpensive but don’t have enough places for the number of primary school students finishing.

            In January, 2002 my mother came home with the news that I had passed my exams and was selected to join Weruweru Girls’ Secondary School and my brother also passed to go to another secondary school.  My mother couldn’t afford it but our Mbunge (Member of Parliament) came to our house and told me to get ready to go to Arusha town.  He was taking me to meet a nun who would take me to school.  It was a miracle.  I never heard about Emusoi.  She took me to Weruweru Secodary School , paid my fees and said goodbye.  I was very happy and was not scared of being left alone in the hands of the teachers.  It was a fulfilled dream.

At the end of the term, Sr. Mary came to see me at school because we had stayed the whole time without a holiday.  She came with my report card and told me that she was very happy because I had done so well in my exams and encouraged me to work hard.  I felt very happy inside because of the tender care and love I received from her and Emusoi and this was a motivation for me to work harder in my studies.  I wish my friends who completed standard seven were together with me but unfortunately I  was the only person who passed the final examinations among 64 students in our ward (a combination of 3 villages).

During the holidays I stayed with the other girls at Emusoi Center for extra classes. In the evening and weekends we used the Emusoi Library to study.  Emusoi is a quiet place and has a conducive environment for studying.

            I studied for 4 years at Weruweru Secondary School and successfully completed my ordinary level education in 2005.  I then joined Loyola High School , run by the Jesuits and took advanced level secondary education until 2008.  I studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology. I am preparing to join a Medical School in September, 2008.

            I decided to spend my holiday teaching my young sisters at Emusoi because

I know the environment they were brought up in and the challenges they face to even complete their primary education without the basic reading and writing skills.  I believe that my presence will make a difference in their life.

At Emusoi I met with different Maasai girls with different dreams and even other students as school.  Mine has always been that one day I want to be among the best medical doctors (surgeon) in the world.  This is because I think there is a need of doctors in the Maasai Community and Tanzania at large.  Apart from medicine I’d like to see more children from the Maasai Community getting quality education and the environment of pastoral societies conserved.

            Emusoi gave me confidence, happiness and courage throughout my studies.  In 2004 my school, Weruweru, gave me the chance to be among three students to go to Norway for a School Exchange Program and I was the only one from my class.  It is because of the care and support EMUSOI gave me that I have the strength to stand today.  Emusoi paid my school fees, school supplies, clothing and my personal needs.  I have a different educational history because of Emusoi and even the values of life I possess are greatly contributed by Emusoi.

NB:  Linda has been accepted in Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences Medical School in Dar es Salaam.

UPDATE: Linda Simon is in third year medical school.