What teachers learned in 2024
Mwangaza currently works in 11 schools in Tanzania. Their non-violence curriculum centers on skills such as growth mindset, empathy, and nonviolent communication (NVC). Throughout 2024, Mwangaza provided day-long trainings for teachers in Arusha, where they were joined by trainers certified by the Center for Nonviolent Communication. NVC is the backbone of Mwangaza’s curriculum. It is a communication approach centered on empathy, connection, and understanding. This knowledge is new to teachers and students; most schools are in their first or second year working with Mwangaza. However, NVC has proven to be a powerful resource for teachers and students alike.
As we close out the year of learning, we asked teachers how they’ve grown.
“I’ve become a better teacher since learning NVC last year,” reflects Seth Sane, a Safe School Coordinator at Irkisongo Secondary School in Monduli district. Irkisongo boasts the largest Peace Club in Mwangaza, with over 200 students packing the classroom every week after school. “I’ve noticed that most challenges with students are rooted in understanding. By guiding students and introducing them to NVC through Peace Clubs, I’ve seen a significant improvement in my teaching approach.”
Regina Duwange, a Peace Club Coordinator at Irkisongo, agrees with Seth. For her, learning NVC has helped her mediate between parents and students. When parents come to her concerned about their child’s performance, she uses NVC to talk to the student. “I ask, with love, what is the problem?” she explains. “We reach an agreement, we find ways to help. The parent agrees and is satisfied. The student is satisfied, and at the end of the day, the student is doing well.” She finishes with a confident smile, a clear indication of the power she has found within herself through Mwangaza’s curriculum.
Boniface Sovea is the Peace Club Coordinator at Ole Sokoine, a secondary school near Irkisongo, up a rocky and winding mountain pass. NVC has been especially helpful in how he relates to his fellow teachers. “I don’t live in a village by myself, but in a community,” he says with a smile, gesturing around him at the busy schoolyard. “NVC enables you to address issues constructively so that even if someone perceives you negatively, they can eventually understand that our main goal is to improve our performance and work. NVC has greatly benefited me as a teacher and has also been invaluable in fostering better relationships within our community and our staff as a whole.”
As the year ends, we are proud of the positive growth that teachers have made. Because of your support, Mwangaza has been able to equip these leaders to spread peace and non-violence in their classrooms and communities, reaching thousands of students and their parents.
