Linna Luu’s Trip to Room to Read Tanzania

In 2018, Raven Supply raised $24,000 to fund 60 scholarships for girls in Tanzania participating in Room to Read’s Girls Education program. But while fundraising is very important, we believe that supporting an organization in full means meeting the people powering these projects first hand.

Linna with Room to Read staff in Tanzania.

Each year, we send one of our team members to visit one of Room to Read’s projects in the developing world. This year, Project Engineer Linna Luu hopped on a plane and headed to Tanzania to meet the teachers, families, and students participating in the Girls Education program there.

During her trip, Linna had the opportunity to visit two Room to Read schools- one in Kibaha and one in Kongowe. At every turn, Linna was welcomed by school management and teachers, who spoke highly of the progress they’ve witnessed in students that participate in the Girls Education program.

“The Room to Read staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. They were able to answer any questions I had about the program and the schools that we visited,” Linna remarks. “They were also very patient in providing translations for me while the classes were in session. They all care very much about the work they do with Room to Read.”

“I saw a library that was funding through Room to Read’s literacy program. The colourful decor within the library definitely made it feel welcoming!

Linna with Girls Education program participants

” She smiles, adding that the schools were larger than she expected, with multiple buildings and large outdoor play areas.

“The girls were all eager to participate in class, in contrast to my experience with school in Canada where the majority of my classmates rarely raised their hands,” she adds. “Additionally, they were awesome public speakers and killed the presentations and role play acts that were completed during class.”

Another special moment of Linna’s trip came in the form of a conversation she had with a mother whose daughter is enrolled in the Girls Education program.

“I spoke to a mother who was very appreciative of the work Room to Read does,” she recalls. “It was obvious she was proud of her own involvement with the program. Not surprising, as Room to Read’s success relies on support from the local communities.”

Linna with the Room to Read Tanzania team.

Speaking of community, Raven Supply is so grateful for our community of vendors and customers here in Greater Vancouver that make it possible for us to donate to Room to Read time and time again. Whenever we receive a donation, we match it dollar for dollar, and it adds up fast- to date, we’ve contributed over $170,000 to projects in India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia and Tanzania.

Raven Supply gave our first donation to Room to Read in 2013. We picked this organization due to their impressive financials and their focus on educating disadvantaged children around the world. To date, we’ve contributed over $170,000 to projects in India, Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia and Tanzania. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our Raven Supply community- thanks for everything!