RESETTLEMENT BRINGS JOY TO NGORONGORO STUDENT
By Special Correspondent
For many people when a sudden change takes place they consider the new outlook as negative. This is especially when the change involves something which touches the type of life they are used to since they were young.
But embracing change enables one to see its powerful positive impact because it drives growth in all areas of your life.
Most of us don't like a change because we feel it forces us to do things we are not comfortable and consider it as pushing us outside our safe zone and makes us feel “uncomfortable.
One of the famous quotes of appealing for the acceptance of change is that of the late US President, John Kennedy, when he told the Americans to accept requests of the civil rights movement in 1961.
He told them:’’ Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past are certain to miss the future’’.
Among those who recently faced a challenge that required them to embrace a change in their life style are students who have been resettled from various schools within the Ngorongoro division in Ngorongoro District. They had to move to a little known Msomera village, in the Handeni district of the Tanga region.
These students, just like their parents, accepted the challenge in different ways, but accepted it with the hope that it will enable them to uncover opportunities for improvement and advancement which they would not have discovered if they did not grab the offer to move forward without hesitation.
They recently conveyed their appreciation to the government for voluntarily resettling them from the vicinity of the wildlife sanctuary to Msomera village.
In a poignant testament to resilience, several students who have been resettled have now been enrolled in the prestigious halls of Msomera Primary School and Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School.
Their narratives echo a sobering reality of schooling within their hometown, characterized by several adversities aplenty.
They have said farewell to many difficulties and risks which were part of their day-to-day life. Gone are the days when it was formidable walking a long distance to school and back.
In addition to that there were serious risks to their lives very close, but not visible. This is the looming presence of wildlife, and compounded further by the cloak of morning fog which reduces visibility level.
These tribulations which earlier the students used to face paint a vivid portrait of the trials endured by these young scholars in pursuit of education.
Amidst the tranquil landscapes of the Ngorongoro district, a cohort of resilient students has embarked on an extraordinary educational journey, now gracing the halls and the atmosphere of the Msomera Primary School and Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School.
Their testimonies unveil stark realities that paint a vivid picture of the hardships previously endured by these children in search for education and survival.
From crossing unsafe distances nervous with the looming threat of encountering fierce wildlife, to navigation through the impenetrable morning mist and fog-filled skies, these challenges epitomize the backdrop against which their educational journey unfolds.
Ngorongoro is a famous home of lions, elephants, cheetahs, zebras, black rhinos and other wild animals. The views from the crater rim over the crater floor are spectacular. No wonder it is chose as one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders.
Soiti Lemurwa, currently enrolled at Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School, vividly recalls the riotous lack of calmness that shadowed his days in Ngorongoro. The pervasive fear of wild animals frequently interrupted his studies, sometime compelling him to hastily abandon the school premises in pursuit of safety.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to the government for facilitating our resettlement. The relentless presence of wild animals made it challenging for us to pursue our studies peacefully. Our safety took precedence above all else, and now, here in Msomera, we can focus on our education in a serene environment," remarked Lemurwa with a smile.
Similarly, Mathew Saruni, said life in Ngorongoro posed numerous educational challenges, and he had almost given up hope due to the increasing presence of predators, such as lions and leopards. The decision of his parents to resettle from the district has renewed his determination to study diligently.
"The situation was dire. Every day, as children, we were consumed with concerns about the perilous journey to and from school, constantly fearing encounters with wild animals. We felt like outsiders compared to our peers studying in safer regions of Tanzania," Saruni lamented.
Elizabeth Napoiky expressed disbelief at those who convinced their parents not to resettle, but rather seek refuge in international communities. She firmly believes in the indigenous identity of the Ngorongoro residents and opposes their exploitation as mere tourist attractions.
"We are surprised by some of our parents who are being used to make money under the pretext of us being a tourist attraction. We reject this notion because we are human beings, not tourist attractions, and we have the right to education like other children in Tanzania," Elizabeth stated.
On his part, Charles Andrea, the Head Teacher of Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan Secondary School, highly praised the government for its remarkable investment in educational infrastructure within the village."
The school boss lauded his school as superior to many others in Tanzania, attributing this to its modern facilities, including teaching resources. These include computers, and ensuring that each student has access to the internet while at school.
In its bold move to address the myriad challenges faced by residents in the Ngorongoro Division of Ngorongoro District, the government has initiated a voluntary resettlement plan.
The move aims to mitigate life-threatening risks posed by the growing presence of dangerous wildlife within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
History will absolve those who came with the idea of resettling the Ngorongoro villagers because the move has given these families stable homes and peace in and outside their new village.
