What we do:

The Kate Lynch Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to financially disadvantaged students in the Moshi area and in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Who we are:

The fund was created in 2008 by Lavinia Hann following her time as a volunteer-teacher at St. Louis Primary School in Moshi, Tanzania. The fund is named in memory of her mother, Kate Lynch, who passionately believed in the transforming power of education. On Lavinia's return to Canada, she organized a network of family and friends, in Canada, Ireland and England, to assist in carrying out the goals of the KLSF. Since its inception, the fund has awarded scholarships totaling just over $CAD100,000 (£58,400, €70,000).

Where we work:

All our sponsored students originally attended St. Louis Primary School in Moshi where Lavinia taught. The headmistress of the school recommended which students needed financial help in paying their school fees and passed their names and biographies on to the KLSF. Based on the recommendation, the KLSF committed to support each student for his or her primary and secondary education.

The number of scholarship recipients grew from three in 2008 to a maximum of ten in 2021. The KLSF supports nine students in 2022: six are centred in the Moshi area, two attend schools in Dar es Salaam and one in Bagamoya.

The headmistress and Lavinia continue to stay in touch with all the students and follow their progress. All receipts, report cards and correspondence are carefully maintained.

Why it is important:

Poverty in developing countries too often make education a challenge that is difficult to overcome. The KLSF supports these students to enable them to have choices in their lives. Not only is education a human right, but it is also an investment in a country's future.

How you can contribute:

For more information on how you can help to change the lives of these students, you can contact Lavinia, hann@nexicom.net

Newsletter:

You can view a copy of the latest newsletter here