Photos of Joha in 2011 and 2012.

I was able to visit the home of Joha's grandmother a few days before I left Tanzania. Her grandmother (Bibi Joha) and her younger siblings are wonderful, welcoming, hospitable, beautiful people. Bibi Joha is now ill and is struggling to keep her young grandchildren in school.

Helping Joha to study at Loyola is an important way to help her entire family by allowing for Joha to find profitable work after she graduates.

Please help me in supporting Joha and her family by donating using the link provided or by mail via the address given.

Many thanks to all who have donated thus far! We are at $300 of our $1,000 goal. Please help spread the word!

In Joha's Own Words

I asked for Joha to write a letter about her time at Loyola High School and why it is important to her to be there. Here's what she wrote:

Loyola is a high school which is located in Mabibo Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. It was established in 1995 by the Jesuit Fathers. My life at Loyola is like a baby in the womb of her mother. I mean my life at Loyola has been great. I have had nice moments even though at times I have had challenges. At first I didn’t expect that I would get a chance to study at Loyola, because my family has low income. I really want to thank Loyola members and Miss. Catherine for giving me the important from which could rescue my studies. This form is G.I.A which means Grants in Aid. This fund is helpful to people like me who have low income. Loyola takes care of me in everything in my studies and makes sure nothing interferes with my studies.

In all Loyola is the best school ever. I like going to Loyola high school because it provides a good education, raises people’s talents, gives us opportunities to do community services and provides education to those who have a difficult life. In my life, the thing I like the most is doing community service. I was happy this year in August 16th when we went to visit the Orphans’ Village in Sinza. This is something I would like the most for the rest of my life. I hope that by the time I finish my studies, Loyola will have raised me well for my community and people around me.

My life at the hostel is very unique from the previous one. Staying at the hostel is very nice. This is because you can learn a new life, behaviour and how to live with different people. Staying at the hostel helps a student to get enough time to study, to rest and to have fun with friends. In my previous life I didn’t have time to rest, or study well or have fun. This is because I had to do all of the domestic work at home since I was alone. Thanks to Loyola and Gonzaga members!

My favorite subjects are Mathematics and Biology. These are subjects which can help me to fulfill my dreams in the future. Mathematics and Biology are the best subjects ever.

In my future life I would like to become an accountant or a doctor. This is because I can do community service and also give the community free medical treatment. With these professions I also hope to get enough money to survive. Hence I would share my salary in building houses of GOD, hospitals, schools and orphan villages. I would also raise my family and become an ALUMNI of Loyola. When I will fulfill my dreams I will be a true person, honest and humble in my work.

Help Me Send Joha to Secondary School!

Peace be with you my dearest friends and family and welcome to the Run 4 Joha site!

On October 5th I will be running the Twin Cities Marathon. I am running in an effort to raise funds to send my former student, Joha Saidi, to secondary school. Joha lives in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and currently attends Loyola High School, a Jesuit-run school in the city.

Joha has been raised by a grandmother who is now unable to care for her. She is elderly, sick and has been tasked with raising two other young grandchildren on their small plot of land outside of the city of Dar es Salaam. Joha is a talented young woman who desires a high school education.

I choose to support her in her desires to attend secondary school, and I ask you to do the same.

I would like to raise $1,000 to pay for Joha to live at the residence hall for women (the Hostel) associated with Loyola High School. This will ensure that Joha is well taken care of with room, board, companionship, and stability. The Hostel is run by the Sisters of the Company of Mary, a group of Congolese Nuns who do wonderful work in east Africa.

If you are unable to give financial support, I would request your encouragement and prayers while I work toward my goal of sending Joha to Secondary School for another year. Your generosity in many forms will be greatly appreciated!

I am incredibly grateful to be able to use my love of running to support a student whom I adore. What a gift! Thank you for being a part of it.

In Gratitude and Peace,
Cat Keating