About Our School

Phillipe Paulo, a former Kilimanjaro mountain guide, saw a great need for primary education in his village Doffa of Qurus region, located in northern Tanzania. With no school nearby and many children unable to access elementary education, Phillipe made the bold decision to change careers. In 2022, he founded Phillipe Friends Academic in his home, starting with just 37 children. With his personal savings and gifts from his wedding, Phillipe built the first classroom.

Thanks to his dedication and the support of friends, the school expanded and now serves 98 children across three classes: baby class, middle class, and first class. The school operates on a unique funding model where parents contribute half of the school fees, and the other half is covered by the school. Additionally, the school operates a garden where vegetables are grown and sold to help support its operations.

Looking to the future, Phillipe’s goal is to expand the school into a full English-speaking primary institution that can accommodate more children from the community. Currently, Phillipe has managed to secure all necessary land through generous donations, but more funding is needed to move forward with construction and provide better access to education for all children in the village.

  • In rural Tanzania, access to education can be life-changing. In areas like Qurus, children often have to travel long distances to reach the nearest school, and many families struggle to afford the associated costs.

    Education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating brighter futures for the next generation. But schools in these regions face serious challenges—overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and high dropout rates, especially when students transition from a Swahili-based curriculum in primary school to an English-based one in high school.

    Phillipe Friends Academic is working to change that. By offering a local, affordable education option, Phillipe is giving children in Qurus the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. The school has already made a meaningful impact in the community, and as it expands, so will the opportunities for its students.

    Thanks to generous support, the required 4–7 hectares of land for full government registration has now been successfully purchased. With this crucial milestone achieved, the focus now shifts to the next phase: construction.

    Building the school facilities is an essential step toward providing a safe, supportive, and fully accredited learning environment. Phillipe is committed to making this vision a reality and ensuring that every child in Qurus has access to the quality education they deserve.

  • The long-term vision for Phillipe Friends Academic is to grow beyond its current capacity and provide a complete primary education to every child in the village of Qurus. The first major milestone—purchasing the land required to meet government regulations—has now been achieved. The next step is construction and securing the necessary funding to move forward.

    This upcoming phase includes building 2–3 new classrooms, a staff office, a library, and 7 latrines. These additions are essential for expanding enrollment and fulfilling the requirements to become a fully accredited primary school. We plan to begin with the classrooms and latrines, with a construction budget of approximately $25,000 USD/EUR.

    Your support can help bring this vision to life. By donating, you’re giving the children of Qurus access to the quality education they deserve. Every contribution moves the school one step closer to making a lasting, positive impact on the community.

  • You can make a lasting impact on the lives of children in Qurus by supporting Phillipe Friends Academic. Your donation will help us purchase the land needed to expand the school and build new classrooms, providing more children with access to quality education. There are several ways you can contribute:

    • Make a Donation: Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal of acquiring the necessary land and constructing new facilities.

    • Spread the Word: Share our mission with friends, family, and on social media to help raise awareness and gather support.

    • Fundraise: Host a fundraiser or event in your community to help raise money for the school’s expansion.

    Your support will directly contribute to the education and future of the children in Qurus, Tanzania. Together, we can create a brighter future for these students!

DONATE