Tanzania Link
Ragata School
Bega Kwa Bega with Hanging Heaton J&I
(Shoulder to Shoulder with Hanging Heaton J&I)
We are delighted to have formed a partnership with Ragata School in Tanzania. This connection will bring a wonderful opportunity for the children at Hanging Heaton J&I School to learn about a different culture, build friendships, and deepen their understanding of the wider world.
Our partnership will be an important part of our prayers and reflections, as we remember and support our friends in Tanzania and celebrate the ways God is working in both our schools. This partnership will be reflected in our curriculum through shared projects, learning exchanges, and joint activities that help us grow together.
We will learn from Ragata School’s experiences and perspectives, while also sharing our own, creating a meaningful exchange of ideas and stories. Through this partnership, our Christian values will be brought to life as we show trust and compassion, practise forgiveness, give thanks for the gifts we share, and use creativity and wisdom to work together.
This partnership will also strengthen our school vision—“Let all that you do, be done in love”—as we learn to love and serve others across the world.
Update – January 2026
A warm Happy New Year to everyone at Hanging Heaton J&I from Ragata. We are excited to begin our partnership with your school, sharing what we do at Ragata and learning more about your school in return.
The pupil numbers at Ragata have increased to 720, but there are still only eight classrooms. Unfortunately, there are only 135 desks in the school, which means that not all pupils are able to work at a desk during their lessons. The children in the kindergarten (Reception class) do not have any tables or desks and currently sit on the floor during lesson with limited resources.
Due to ongoing water scarcity and drought, class hours have been reduced, and the school day now ends at 12:30 pm instead of 2:30 pm. The school has also experienced food shortages due to recent climate changes.
On a positive note, the school has managed to build two modern classrooms with support from the local community, and there are plans to build two more classrooms to provide the children with more space to learn.
Establishing a Partnership - 2019
Visiting Ragata School
In 2019, Mr Wildey had the opportunity to visit Ragata Primary School in Tanzania. During his visit, Mr Wildey met the Headteacher, Mr Masstaajabie Muganda, alongside teaching staff, pupils, and members of the wider school community. Mr Muganda generously provided a detailed Headteacher’s Report to be shared, offering valuable insight into the school’s context and daily life.
About Ragata School (2019)
Ragata Primary School was established in 1974 and is a government-run school. At the time of the visit, the school had eight teachers (six male and two female) and a total of 585 pupils—317 boys and 268 girls. This equated to an average of 73 pupils per teacher.
The school comprises eight classrooms, four houses for teachers, and eight toilet facilities (four for boys and four for girls). The nearest water source is approximately 300 metres from the school site.
Unfortunately, several classrooms were in a poor state of repair and could not be used. As a result, children from different year groups were required to share learning spaces in order to continue their education. Due to a shortage of furniture, many pupils were working on the floor rather than at desks.
Sport and Aspirations
Ragata pupils have a strong enthusiasm for sport, particularly football, netball, and running. Many children aspire to one day play for professional teams such as Arsenal, Manchester United, or Liverpool.
Updates from Ragata School
July 2022
It has been wonderful to see the progress made at Ragata since Mr Wildey’s visit in 2019. Mr Muganda remains the Headteacher, and pupil numbers have continued to rise.
Funds raised in 2019 were used to purchase additional desks, ensuring that no child now needs to sit on the floor to learn. New classrooms have also been constructed, providing valuable employment opportunities for members of the local community.
In 2021, a water storage tank was installed by PCI, and the school now has access to electricity. This development has significantly improved communication between Hanging Heaton and Ragata.
Pupils continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to their learning and are working diligently in preparation for their examinations. Attendance has improved, and children continue to receive a daily meal at school.
July 2023
Earlier in the year, communication was disrupted due to changes within the Diocese. A new link liaison officer, Misoji, has since been appointed and will provide more regular updates to Mr Wildey.
We learned that the pupils who did not progress to secondary school are now working with their families and within the Ragata community, primarily supporting farming and agricultural activities.
Ragata School continues to move forward positively. All pupils now receive breakfast and dinner each day. Breakfast consists of porridge, while the afternoon meal includes maize and beans, which are prepared and served by the teaching staff.
September 2023
We were extremely fortunate to welcome Arthur from Tanzania, who visited as part of his retirement. Arthur had previously visited Mr Wildey’s former school between 2016 and 2017, when the link with Ragata was first established. He also played a key role in organising Mr Wildey’s visit to Tanzania in 2019.
Arthur led a special assembly, sharing valuable insights into life at Ragata School. Pupils were given the opportunity to ask questions and further develop their understanding of daily life in Tanzania.
We were also pleased to welcome Mr Walker, Headteacher of Ackworth Howard, whose school is linked with Mshikamano School in Tanzania. Mr Walker was also part of the group that visited Tanzania in 2019.
December 2023
In December, we received an update from the Mara Diocese outlining how Ragata has strengthened engagement with parents through regular school events. These sessions allow parents to learn more about school life, meet teachers, and ask questions. Attendance has been very strong, and parental support remains high.
Parents also assist with preparing breakfast for pupils before the school day begins. In addition, teachers now hold more structured meetings, using clear agendas to ensure they continue to provide the highest possible standard of education.
January 2024
Following the school break, pupils returned enthusiastic and eager to resume their learning. Many more children now have access to their own books and pencils—an enormous improvement since Mr Wildey’s first visit in 2019, when resources were often shared or unavailable.
While some classrooms remain under construction and further resources are still required, progress continues steadily. The children’s enjoyment of school and love of learning are evident each day, reflected in the positive atmosphere across the school.
The development of new buildings has also led to reduced class sizes, creating more comfortable and effective learning environments for all pupils.
