Christopher Halloran School Progress update
Catherine Halloran Cook
and William Elias
IN THE FALL OF 2022, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FOTZC TRAVELED TO TANZANIA TO REVIEW ALL OUR CURRENT PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE CHRISTOPHER HALLORAN SCHOOL. THESE ARE THE PROJECTS AT THE CHRISTOPhER HALLORAN SCHOOL THAT ARE NOW COMPLETE:
The Lisa and Scott Stuart Pavilion
Prior to using this building, students in Orkuyene ate meals cooked on a single stove under a small makeshift roof, and had no clean, comfortable space for eating with friends. Now that the pavilion is complete, students have a healthy environment in which to eat their meals, as well as new toilet facilities to maintain hygiene. In addition, this state-of-the-art dining hall also serves as a meeting place for the community and an event center for celebrations and gatherings. This multi-purpose building is clean, well maintained, and heavily utilized.
New Kitchen
The kitchen features two large areas for cooking and preparing meals, under a roof and with ventilation for safety measures. Healthy, nutritious food in a sanitary environment is now the norm at the Christopher Halloran School.
Borehole and water supply
With a new borehole and a 100,000 L water tank, the students and staff now have round the clock access to clean, healthy water. Gutters are installed on the dining hall building, and the water that comes during the heavy rainy season is captured and utilized as well. Clean drinking water from the borehole is stored in a tank (as pictured below) and is easily accessible to teachers and students.
Teachers’ housing for eight teachers
Because the area is so remote, the government will not send teachers unless adequate housing is provided. Teachers used to live in the storage rooms in the dining hall, but now have appropriate and comfortable housing. In addition to inconsistent student attendance due to lack of student housing, Tanzanian schools have struggled with providing teachers to remote areas of the country. With these new teachers’ houses on campus, teachers are able to provide the highest level of instruction to our students, without the challenges of transportation and living arrangements.
Eight new classrooms
These classrooms accommodate the growing number of students attending the school and give them a clean and comfortable place to learn and study.
Office for teachers
A space for lesson planning and collaborating.
What’s next for 2024 -2025
Funding has already been secured and plans underway for the following projects:
Four additional classrooms. These classrooms are under construction.
An 80-person dormitory for the girls at at the school, including furnishings. We have broken ground on this state-of-the-art building and construction is underway.
Funding is not yet secured for an equivalent dorm for the boys, a playground with sports field and equipment, a library, and a computer lab. The first priority is to secure funding for the boys dorm and begin construction.
Cost of the boys dormitory is $110,00.
CHRIS PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 20TH, 2015, LEAVING BEHIND A TRIBE OF DEVOTED FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WITH THIS SCHOOL, AND THE CURRENT AND PLANNED BUILDINGS AND PROJECTS, WE ARE ALL ENSURING THAT HIS LEGACY AND MEMORY LIVES ON FOREVER. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS FOR YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
