Surrounded by the spirit of youth and resilience—Water Lane Mural in downtown Kingston, celebrating the beauty and promise of Jamaica’s next generation.
Earlier this month, I traveled to Jamaica for my Grand Aunt Alva’s homegoing service. She lived to be 106 years old—a life filled with wisdom, love, and quiet strength. Her passing brought our family together in Mandeville, where we gathered to celebrate her remarkable life. While it was a solemn occasion, it was also a homecoming of sorts—an opportunity to walk the paths of my family’s past and reflect on the legacies that shaped who I am.
While in Jamaica, we spent a meaningful day in Oxford, Manchester—a rural farming community about 60 miles from the capital city of Kingston—where my father grew up. It was there that we retraced his roots, visited his childhood school, and honored the legacy he left behind.
Always a treat to visit Noisy River – Oxford, Manchester, JA – where the water sings and the vibes are unforgettable
One of the most meaningful stops was Comfort Hall All-Age School, where my father began his educational journey. As a boy, he would sit under the mango tree with his books, determined to make something of himself. One of the elders in the community, who knew him as a child, recalled, “He was different. Always studying. You could just tell he would go far.”
And he did.
My father would go on to complete his education in Kingston and graduate from the University of the West Indies, Mona, but he never forgot where it started. He often spoke of Comfort Hall with fondness and gratitude, and over the years, he supported the school through donations and supplies. After his passing in 2024, my brother established the Basil A. Jones Memorial Scholarship in his honor—because what better way to honor his memory than to invest in the future of the very place that shaped him.
While visiting the school, I was moved by their commitment to literacy. A large Reading Wall, proudly displayed on campus, showcases student work and learning activities that reflect their joy in reading and writing. Just above it, the school’s motto is painted across the upper balcony:
ENTER TO LEARN — LEAVE LITERATE
“Enter to Learn, Leave Literate” — a powerful reminder of what’s possible when education is rooted in purpose and community. Comfort Hall All-Age School, Oxford, Jamaica.
I stood in front of it, struck by how deeply it aligned with the work we do at Tanzania Development Support (TDS)—where literacy, particularly for girls in rural communities, is at the heart of our mission. In both Comfort Hall and Tanzania, literacy is not just an educational benchmark. It’s a pathway to equity, independence, and hope.
A wall that speaks volumes—showcasing student voices, creativity, and a love of reading at Comfort Hall All-Age School in rural Jamaica.My brother and I with the current Principal of Comfort Hall Primary School – Ms. Nicholson, thanking her for her dedication and commitment to young people and education, and her support in administering our father’s scholarship to deserving students
The journey didn’t end in Manchester. I later traveled to Kingston, where I visited my childhood school, Stella Maris Preparatory. While I didn’t get a chance to explore the grounds in full, just standing outside the gates brought back memories of school uniforms, morning assemblies, and the early seeds of curiosity that would shape my future.
A glimpse of my early beginnings—Stella Maris Preparatory School in Kingston, where my love for learning first took root.
This trip reminded me that education is more than a formal experience—it’s a deeply personal, cultural, and community-driven force. It shows up in the aunties who model lifelong learning. In the children proudly pointing to their work on a reading wall. In the mango trees that shaded my father’s dreams, and in every initiative I support that centers literacy, empowerment, and opportunity.
These places—and the people who shaped them—remind me why I do what I do.
About Renée Renée Jones is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Red Hills Consulting Group, where she leads strategic, operational, and transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations. With more than 20 years of experience leading complex initiatives, Renée helps organizations turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Outside of work, she mentors emerging leaders and champions social-impact innovation. https://redhillsconsultinggroup.com
By Renée Jones | Board Member, Tanzania Development Support
This article was authored by Renée Jones, in her role as a Board Member of Tanzania Development Support (TDS). Red Hills Consulting Group is proud to support education equity and community-driven development.
In communities around the world, the ability to read and write is often taken for granted. Yet for many children in rural Tanzania—and in countless underserved regions globally—literacy is not a given. It is a life-altering milestone: the first step on the path to lifelong learning, economic empowerment, and social mobility.
Literacy Is the Gateway
Literacy is the first academic skill children must master, but its importance goes far beyond the classroom. A literate child becomes a confident learner. A literate girl is better equipped to understand her rights, navigate systems, and make informed decisions. A literate parent is more likely to support their child’s education, prioritize healthcare, and build economic stability for their family.
In essence: literacy unlocks everything.
In rural Tanzania, education can be a lifeline—but for most children, especially girls, it’s a path filled with barriers. Literacy is the first and most fundamental step on that path. Without the ability to read, students are locked out of every future opportunity—academic success, career mobility, civic participation, and more.
That’s why Tanzania Development Support (TDS)has made literacy a cornerstone of our work in the Mara region. From early reading programs to community-led Reading Circles, we are investing in the power of books to open minds and change lives.
“Reading is the fundamental tool of learning in the 21st century… whether it’s a book, a street sign, a grocery label, or a screen on the internet. Effective reading is the key to learning and understanding the world around us.”
📚 A “Center for Learning” in Rural Tanzania
The Madaraka Nyerere Library and Community Resource Center (LCRC) stands as a beacon of knowledge for the villages in the Musoma Rural area. Envisioned by community leaders as a kituo cha maarifa (“center for learning”), the LCRC houses one of the largest collections of books by African authors in Swahili in any community library in the country.
Since its construction in 2016, the LCRC has evolved into a hub for educational innovation. In 2019, we expanded its infrastructure with internet connectivity and open-source digital library tools, enabling access to global learning even in areas without power.
Yet the heart of this work is not the technology—it’s the people and programs.
📖 Reading Circles: Building a Culture of Literacy
Launched in April 2025, Reading Circles are one of the LCRC’s most vibrant literacy efforts. These community-led sessions bring students, teachers, and volunteers together to read aloud, ask questions, and share stories.
Each week, children gather across Musoma Rural—under mango trees and in classrooms—to experience the joy of books.
“Just seeing these photos made my heart sing. I truly believe this experience is going to change students’ lives and transform education in this part of the world!” — Dr. Andrea Trudeau, TDS Board Member
Thanks to Andrea’s leadership and a generous $2,000 fundraising effort, hundreds of children now benefit from this program. Special thanks to Joyce, Moses, and Fr. Otieno, who are leading efforts on the ground.
“Creating a reading culture in Musoma Rural schools and villages will pay dividends for generations to come.”
👶 Early Literacy: Laying the Foundation
Alongside Reading Circles, the LCRC runs two early reading programs that collectively reach over 100 children annually:
Pre-Primary Reading Program (ages 3–5): A half-day experience introducing numbers, letters, and storytelling.
Early Reading Program: In partnership with Nyegina Primary School, this supports children who need additional help with reading.
Together, these programs build skills, spark curiosity, and nurture confidence.
💡 Literacy Is Power
In a world where access to information defines opportunity, literacy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. For the students of Musoma Rural, it’s the bridge to a future where they can lead, contribute, and thrive.
At TDS, we believe literacy transforms lives. And we thank every teacher, volunteer, donor, and advocate helping us turn this belief into action.
About Renée Renée Jones is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Red Hills Consulting Group, where she leads strategic, operational, and transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations. With more than 20 years of experience leading complex initiatives, Renée helps organizations turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Outside of work, she mentors emerging leaders and champions social-impact innovation. https://redhillsconsultinggroup.com
In rural Tanzania, education can be a lifeline—but for most girls, it’s a path strewn with obstacles. In the Mara region, a large percentage of girls do not complete secondary school, despite strong evidence that education leads to better health, economic stability, and brighter futures for entire communities.
At Tanzania Development Support (TDS), we believe that every girl deserves the chance to stay in school and thrive. Through our work in the region—especially via the Rose and Karl Willmann Scholarship Fund—we’ve seen firsthand how much potential lies within these young women, and how much is at stake if they’re forced to drop out.
This is more than an education crisis. It’s a matter of equity, opportunity, and generational transformation.
Poverty: When Education Is a Luxury
Even in public schools, education is not free. Uniforms, books, meals, sanitary supplies, and boarding fees add up quickly. For families already struggling to make ends meet, the choice is often between feeding the family and sending a daughter to school. In many cases, boys are prioritized for education while girls are expected to help at home or generate income. Education becomes a luxury—not a right.
TDS works to change that narrative. Through the Willmann Scholarship Fund, we remove these financial barriers. The scholarship covers everything a student needs—from tuition and uniforms to housing and meals—so that she can focus on learning and thriving.
As one student wrote:
“My good academic performance has been influenced by the presence of good environment for studying and peace of staying in school without returned home to take the school fees.”
By becoming a contributor to the Willmann Scholarship Fund, you are helping change the future for dozens of gifted girls in the Mara. A full scholarship is $900 annually and covers all the expenses for a girl to attend Nyegina Secondary School. A monthly donation of $75 is an affordable way to sponsor a girl. Consider changing the life of a girl and her future family by becoming a sponsor today.
The road between Nyegina and Mkirira is about 12km across rolling hills. Until the recent completion of a new public secondary school in Nyegina, students would make the walk twice a day to attend secondary school in Mkirira.
Distance: When the Journey to School Is Too Far
In rural areas, many girls walk 5 to 10 kilometers each way to reach school. These long, exhausting commutes—often before sunrise and on empty stomachs—are physically dangerous and emotionally draining. Safety is a serious concern. Parents may pull girls out of school to protect them, especially as they approach adolescence.
That’s why TDS has supported the construction of a dormitory, allowing 160 girls to live where they learn at Nyegina Secondary School. This drastically reduces their risk, fatigue, and dropout rates, creating a more supportive learning environment.
As one scholarship recipient shared:
“I have peace because I am not walking many miles every day to go to school. I am in boarding and I have enough time to study and learn many things from teachers and my fellow students because we are coming from different tribes.”
Tradition: When Culture Clashes with Opportunity
Deeply rooted social norms often dictate that a girl’s primary role is to marry young, care for siblings, and support her household—not to pursue education. Girls are taught to stay quiet, stay close, and stay home.
But we know that when girls stay in school, they gain confidence, earn more over their lifetimes, delay early marriage, and make informed decisions about their health and future.
Through programs like Reading Circles and 4H Career Pathways, TDS helps girls reimagine what’s possible. These spaces introduce them to new ideas, new skills, and new futures—beyond what tradition may have taught them.
“My dream is to be a nurse and my subjects I like is chemistry, Geography and Biology. I study hard in order to fulfill my dream. Apart from that I wish to be a big trader in Tanzania and outside of Tanzania also to support and help People with basic needs like poor girls, disabled, and other groups as the way you, did to me am continue to thank for your kindness.Now I am writing this message by using computer of Madaraka Nyerere Resource Center and I am learning computer studies.”
“Through your support you have created a good bridge for my future.”
The Ripple Effect of Education
The challenges are real—but so is the potential. When one girl is educated, her whole community benefits. She becomes an advocate, a wage-earner, a mentor, a mother who insists her children—daughters and sons—go to school.
I think often of the girls in the Willmann Scholarship Program, many of whom write us to share their goals of becoming teachers, doctors, engineers, or community leaders. They are determined. They are bright. They are ready. We just need to help them stay the course.
As several girls have said:
“Through this chance you gave me, it enabled me to study at good environment where there are all resources and I wish through this I will get great success in my form four national exams.”
“Also I am the only one who has got this secondary education in my family. So, after getting this opportunity my family was very happy and they know that one day I will be a good and a great person in my life.”
“It’s a very big sacrifice that you’ve made because paying such a lot of money for someone that you don’t know and you never meet needs a person with heart of helping. If could not be you I could not be here I am. I’ve studied from form one up to form four without being returned at home for failing to pay school fee. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.”
As a sponsor, I’ve experienced firsthand how rewarding it is to support a Willmann Scholar. I’ve had the privilege of sponsoring a bright and determined student in secondary school. Reading her letters, learning about her goals, and seeing her progress has been deeply moving. I hope to meet her one day soon and witness the impact of this opportunity in her life.
Here’s How You Can Help
Sponsor a Willmann Scholar and provide full support for her education journey
Share this story to raise awareness of the barriers—and the breakthroughs
Donate to our programs to expand access and impact across the region
Because when girls learn, communities rise. And when we invest in their futures, we’re investing in our shared humanity. Let’s remove the barriers. Let’s open the doors. Let’s walk beside these girls as they pursue the futures they deserve.
About Renée Renée Jones is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Red Hills Consulting Group, where she leads strategic, operational, and transformational initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations. With more than 20 years of experience leading complex initiatives, Renée helps organizations turn bold ideas into lasting impact. Outside of work, she mentors emerging leaders and champions social-impact innovation. https://redhillsconsultinggroup.com
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