At the age of 15, Edwin would normally be a secondary school student; however, he didn’t have the basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills.
 
With his single mother and 6 younger siblings, Edwin’s life has been a daily struggle. His mother works endlessly in the farm fields to earn a subsistence income that barely covers the family’s basic needs. 

From an early age, Edwin felt the weight of these financial burdens which affected his academic journey. To support his family, Edwin spent much of his time working as a daily laborer in local brick factories and on nearby farms. His education was sacrificed as he often skipped school to earn what little he could to help support his family. 

Edwin recalls, “I remember the days when my mother would come home exhausted from farming, her face filled with stress. Despite her efforts, there was never enough food or basic supplies at home. I knew that I had to do whatever I could to help. School became less of my priority at that moment.” 

In February 2024, Edwin’s life took a turn when his mother learned about literacy classes for out-of-school youth provided through the USAID Kijana Nahodha (Young Captain) project.
 
Skeptical and nervous, he enrolled in the program. Edwin began attending classes at a convenient location with a flexible schedule that fit him. He vividly recalls his first day in class:

“I was nervous but hopeful. Seeing others like me, who also struggled with reading and writing, made me feel less alone. The trainers were patient and encouraging, and soon I found myself excited about learning.”

As Edwin progressed through the program, he experienced a profound shift in his capabilities and confidence. The skills not only improved his daily life but also inspired him to dream bigger.

“I remember the first time I could read a book on my own, it felt like a whole new world had opened to me. I could finally use a mobile phone properly and follow instructions. Before, I never thought about the future beyond surviving day by day. With my new skills, I have dreams of becoming a businessman, trading food crops,” Edwin said with a sense of pride.

The USAID Kijana Nahodha (Young Captain) project works with marginalized out-of-school youth in Tanzania to provide literacy, numeracy and skills development. It offers an accelerated learning program for young people who missed out on formal education, with a condensed curriculum that covers four years of schooling in just eleven months. To date, USAID Kijana Nahodha has helped over 2000 young Tanzanians like Edwin begin and progress on their own literacy journey.