Andorran Teacher Builds School for Tanzanian Village Kids

Naia Aguilar, a 22-year-old teacher from Andorra now working in Sant Julià de Lòria, has launched a humanitarian initiative to build a school in the Tanzanian village of Robanda. Through her association Maisha Bora, the project aims to provide a proper classroom for children aged four to seven, addressing overcrowding at the local facility.

Aguilar first visited Tanzania two months, spending three weeks on volunteer work followed by time with her partner, who lives there. She returned in January 2025 for a month to conduct interviews for her degree thesis, and has now gone back for another month starting in December.

The idea emerged during her initial trip when villagers described cramming 25 children inside a small classroom and another 25 outside due to space shortages. "That was the moment I realised we had to do something so those 25 children also have a dignified space to study," Aguilar said.

Maisha Bora plans to serve around 80 children overall, offering age-appropriate classrooms for preschool and primary levels—currently, all ages learn together. The centre will also provide a daily lunch for attendees.

Locals have welcomed the effort warmly. Parents showed their gratitude during her latest visit, with one mother gifting Aguilar a traditional Tanzanian dress. She noted the community's cultural emphasis on large families as a sign of prosperity.

Aguilar, drawn to Tanzania for its cultural contrasts and her personal ties, urges young volunteers to approach such work thoughtfully. "Don't travel just to post on Instagram—do it because you feel it and because there's a real need," she advised. For humanitarian projects, she recommends proceeding slowly, persisting through setbacks, and only stepping in when help is requested.