Founded in 2024, Maisha Nyota began as a humble after-school English study group in the vibrant neighborhood of Majengo, Moshi, Tanzania. What started as a simple interaction quickly blossomed into a community-focused educational initiative.
The story began by chance one afternoon when Dr. Iina Ester, who was visiting the Kilimanjaro region, stopped by Mama D’s corner shop with her local guide, Joshua Lyimo. While spending time on the shop's front patio and attempting to learn Swahili, Iina began conversing with the local people. Soon, a group of neighborhood children gathered around, enthusiastically repeating the English words she was learning in Swahili.
A few days later, Iina returned to Mama D’s, notebook in hand, filled with English-Swahili translations. The children eagerly joined her, bringing their own notebooks and pencils, ready to copy notes and continue learning. The study group quickly became a regular activity, meeting several times a week during Iina’s visit to Tanzania. Fridays, in particular, became special, with Mama D and the local ladies preparing a delicious meal for everyone after each study session.
During her stay, Iina also visited the local senior center, where she discovered several unmet needs. With the help of generous donors from the USA, she was able to provide essential items such as painkillers, adult diapers, favorite foods for the seniors, and basic supplies like cleaning products and latex gloves for the caregivers.
In late 2024, Iina returned to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for the second time, but her first priority was to reconnect with the children of Majengo. Throughout her fall visit, she continued to visit the children, teaching English and learning Swahili, further strengthening the bonds she had formed with the community.
Joshua Lyimo, a local guide, has played an essential role in Maisha Nyota's growth. Not only has he acted as a translator between Iina and the community, but he has also managed logistics for procuring and distributing supplies. Joshua’s deep passion for the community and education has been invaluable in shaping the foundation of Maisha Nyota. He continues to donate his time, resources, and expertise to help the initiative thrive.
What started as a spontaneous vacation activity has now taken on greater significance. In 2025, Maisha Nyota will take a significant step forward, having already been approved as a 501(c)(3) charity in the United States. The next goal is to secure the necessary permits to establish a formal after-school program in Majengo. This program will aim to provide education, nutrition, and inspiration to the children of the Kilimanjaro region and beyond, ensuring a brighter future for the community.