A Fight for Education, Tanzania

Trizer Urio

My name is Trizer Urio, and I am one of the 71 girls at Aquinas Secondary School in Tanzania blessed to be part of the African Adolescent Girl Fund (AGF) Program. Today, I’m halfway through my internship, preparing to join university in October—something that once felt like a far-off dream I might never reach.

Looking back, my path to education was not easy. I had performed well in my national exams, but the excitement of success quickly turned into despair. My family simply couldn’t afford to support my studies beyond secondary school. The dream of going to university began to fade. I was ready to accept that this might be the end of my academic journey.

Then came a turning point—one that changed my life forever.

The day I was selected as an AGF scholarship recipient, my world shifted. Suddenly, the doors that had seemed tightly shut were opening before me. From 2022 to 2024, AGF supported me through my Advanced Level studies, lifting an immense burden from my shoulders. I no longer had to worry about school fees, books, or basic necessities. But the AGF scholarship gave me more than material support—it gave me a renewed purpose and belief in my potential.

Now, as I serve as an intern at my former school, I see the power of education not just as a personal privilege, but as a responsibility. I’m gaining valuable experience, learning to give back, and preparing for university with a heart full of gratitude and determination. Every single step forward reminds me how far I’ve come—from a girl on the brink of giving up to a young woman on her way to university.

To every girl who is struggling, who feels like her dreams are slipping away—I want you to know this: education is worth fighting for. Hold on. Keep believing. Keep pushing. And when a door opens, walk through it with courage and confidence. Your dreams are valid, and your future is worth every bit of the fight.

To the AGF team and every sponsor behind this program—thank you. You didn’t just fund my education; you transformed my future. Because of you, I now have the power to rewrite my family’s story. One day, I hope to pass this gift forward—to give another girl the chance to dream, just as you did for me.

With a heart full of gratitude.