David Joshua Junior was selected as our first Master of One Health Scholar in early 2025. He will continue working as a veterinarian in his hometown in Tanzania until his program begins this October. His background has provided him with a strong understanding of the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. He is dedicated to improving the well-being of his community and aspires to become a research scientist focused on critical health challenges, particularly zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance. His veterinary training provides a unique and valuable perspective for investigating these complex relationships within the One Health framework. David says he is “eager to explore research opportunities in these crucial areas, recognizing their growing threat to global health.”

The PSCTP scholarship committee believes that providing David with this opportunity to complete this master’s program will enable him to make a significant impact on the One Health community in Tanzania.

In 2024, Dr. Ezekiel Moirana was appointed Medical Director of the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) Hospital.

This prestigious appointment reflects Dr. Moirana’s clinical, academic, and compassionate dedication to the people of Tanzania throughout his career as a physician. Dr. Moirana is recognized as a leader in his field. He has established two endoscopy suites at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi and Mount Meru Hospital in Arusha. He continues to mentor many of our scholars and is a voice for the future of healthcare in Tanzania. We are fortunate to count him as one of our own.

Dr. Rebeka Gurti completed her internship at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital, located in Arusha, Tanzania. She plans to return to work as a general practitioner at the Nazareti Clinic in Manyara, which is the clinic she and her husband opened in their own home several years ago. The window to apply to become a medical resident opens up in the late summer of 2025. Dr. Gurti plans to apply for her residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology and, ideally, will be accepted at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi. Though no longer financially supported by PSCTP, Dr. Gurti continues to be an integral member of our scholarship program, mentoring several of our other scholars.

Boniphace is in his third year of the six-year Medical School program at Dodoma University. Though the program’s first two years were primarily academic, Dodoma has begun to institute more clinical experiences, which Boniphace has enjoyed immensely, as he is deeply committed to his community. His grit and determination speak volumes about how much he cherishes his education as he implements his studies, even in dire circumstances. Over the last several months, Boniphace has been studying hard in the subjects of Pharmacology, Psychology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry. He remains enthusiastic and excited about his evolution as a physician and is very much a leader among his peers.

In late 2024, he and about 15 of his class colleagues participated in a week-long outreach to assess childhood nutrition in a remote area of Tanzania. On the way there, one of the transport buses was in an accident, and tragically, one of the medical students was killed. Boniphace was not in that vehicle, but he and his comrades were, understandably, very shaken. In tribute to their classmate, the remaining students elected to carry on the mission to assess childhood malnutrition and completed an important and impactful collection of data that showed areas of poor or substandard nutrition in these children and prompted outreach to governmental and NGO food resources.

Boniphace presented some of his studies at a national conference in Tanzania, which invigorated his interest in medical research, though he remains very committed to clinical care. He is an exemplary student academically, philosophically, and emotionally. We do not doubt that he will continue to be a leader amongst his peers as he continues his journey through medicine. It is a joy to help such a talented, kind, and compassionate young person make his mark on his community and his country.

In October 2024, Saum commenced her four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at St. John’s University in Dodoma. The class has 216 students, who are divided into groups of 40 for the various courses. Saum has a full academic schedule, with classes in Information Technology, Anatomy and Physiology, Communication, Sociology, Basic Science, Developmental Studies, and Biochemistry.

Because it is just the first semester, she is not yet involved in clinical rotations. Those will not begin until the end of the second semester. Her current classes involve discussions, presentations and other activities that the students are responsible for. Of all her courses, Saum is finding Sociology to be of particular interest, as she is learning a lot about the impact of healthcare in her local society. In addition to maintaining a full-time curriculum, Saum continues to be actively involved in raising her son, who will be starting school himself for the first time this month.

We are excited and proud to report that Jacqueline completed the two-year Master’s degree program in Nurse Midwifery at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Dar es Salaam on December 5, 2025. Her clinical performance in the program was exemplary, demonstrating technical proficiency and her profound commitment to improving maternal and neonatal health in her community. She incorporated a holistic approach to maternal health, emphasizing the crucial involvement of the father and family in the birthing process, which is essential to the long-term well-being of both mother and child.

Jacqueline completed a comprehensive research project and wrote a paper entitled “Postnatal Mothers’ Perspectives Regarding the Current Eight Required Antenatal Contacts at Mwananyamala Hospital in Tanzania.” The findings of her study hold significant potential for improving antenatal care in Tanzania, specifically by aligning the national requirements with the needs and perspectives of postnatal mothers. Jacqueline’s research is a testament to her capacity to critically analyze current healthcare practices and to advocate for improvements that benefit both mothers and their communities. She was required to defend her research thesis before an international panel of examiners and publish her paper at her university and in a peer-reviewed journal.

Jacqueline’s graduation was a moment of great pride for her and those of us who have had the privilege of mentoring her. Since meeting Jacqueline in 2016 and learning of her dream to be a midwife, watching her take this journey has been inspiring. The graduation ceremony was a colorful and joyous occasion, marked by the presence of her supportive family, who have been an essential part of her success. As a graduate and fully qualified midwife, Jacqueline plans to pursue a full-time position in Dar es Salaam, where her skills and expertise will undoubtedly be an asset. She is deeply committed to addressing the issue of obstetric fistulas, a debilitating complication of childbirth. Her determination to assist these women reflects her compassionate approach to midwifery and her dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable women and families in her community. PSCTP looks forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in the years to come.

Jastin has commenced his studies in a Master’s degree program in Pediatric Critical Care at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences in Mwanza.

When PSCTP initially selected Jastin in September 2022 for a scholarship to pursue his Master’s degree in nursing, he expected to start school that same year. However, just as he began his applications, Jastin obtained employment as a nursing school instructor and was required to honor his contract if he wanted the school to write a letter of recommendation on his behalf. Obtaining employment in Tanzania is difficult, so Jastin felt he could not pass up this opportunity while waiting to be accepted into a Master’s program. The good news about the delay is that his employer has awarded him full tuition coverage, so PSCTP only supports his other school-mandated expenses and his monthly living stipend.

After the first month of school, Jastin wrote, “My first month of studies has been amazing, new people, new lecturers, new status from being a staff, now as a student. This month the focus was to make sure I cope with the studies as early as possible, completing assignments and engaging in classroom activities. In this semester, we are having five courses of which all postgraduate students from all programs at the school we are sharing, such as Clinical Pharmacology, Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry, Clinical Physiology and Epidemiology and Biostatistics.” His favorite subjects are physiology and biochemistry.

The first semester did not involve clinical rotations, and the classes were all in the classroom. This past month, Jastin took exams for all his classes. Clinical rotations began in January 2025. Jastin noted, “Things to cover are so many, with a very busy timetable. I always go to school early in the morning and get back to my room at night. I would like to extend my gratitude to PSCTP committee to approve my budget and send money for my studies. You have been so helpful and made my dream become true. With continued dedication I will continue to excel in all areas and looking forward to your positive cooperation throughout this journey.”

Like some of our other scholars, Jastin manages to balance a busy academic load with family responsibilities, and he thoroughly enjoys holidays when he can spend extra time with his wife and child. After his graduation in the fall of 2026, Jastin plans to return to nursing school as a professor because he firmly believes educating future generations of nurses is essential for Tanzania to improve healthcare nationwide.

Veronica holds a diploma in Social Work and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is in the third semester of her program at Mwenge Catholic University.

She has seven modules this semester and notes that “some are simple, others are more challenging…but all is fine.” They include Social Welfare Services, Human Resources Management & Administration, Social & Professional Ethics, Rural & Urban Sociology, Guidance & Counseling, Demography & Statistics, and Development Studies.

One of Veronica’s social work classmates recently passed away following a complicated pregnancy. This news came as a blow to Veronica and others who knew and cared for this young woman. Veronica understands better than most that life can be very challenging. She finds solace in being a Phil Simon Clinic Tanzania Project scholar because, one day, she will be able to address the needs of vulnerable people in her community in meaningful and impactful ways. Veronica says, “I will do my best.”

Iman is in the final year of his three-year diploma program in Clinical Social Work at the Open University of Tanzania in Dodoma. Having previously been educated as a Clinical Officer (similar to a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner in the United States), he was compelled to pursue social work because he recognized the importance of social work in linking the patient’s diagnosis to the treatment needed, both in terms of logistics and finances.

This past semester, the key concentration of study was social work practices and administration skills. Commencing this month, they will be starting continuous assessments for all subjects. Iman has learned many leadership theories and management skills, emphasizing the role of social workers as leaders rather than managers. Iman has gained valuable experience leading his community to live harmoniously and fostering personal development. He has come to realize how economic development depends on social development.

Iman shared some of his experiences this past semester at a Care and Treatment Center at a local hospital, where he provided marriage counseling. Iman was pleased that a discordant couple he counseled was ultimately able to rescue the marriage. While doing fieldwork at Dodoma Referral Regional Hospital, he met with people who could not pay for a patient’s treatment costs. As a social worker, he was able to help them apply for an exemption to the costs. When the patient was discharged, the family approached him and knelt down to thank Iman for his assistance. Iman told us, “I felt to cry – it was waoooh, we have done something great to touch people’s lives.”

Elisha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Social Work and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the same field at the Open University of Tanzania. He voiced a strong desire to obtain his Master’s degree because of his interest in educating future social workers and influencing healthcare policy in Tanzania. Most of his classes were online, including one in Advanced Clinical Social Work and Advanced Social Work Research, but that will change as the coursework progresses. In early 2025, Elisha met with other students to discuss key knowledge concepts and field applications. He takes his studies very seriously and continues to perform at top levels academically.

At our request, Elisha described the role social workers play in Tanzania, as this is a relatively new field of study there. They are involved in (1) the protection of children’s rights, especially those who are orphans, vulnerable, and destitute; (2) facilitating community development initiatives, often working with marginalized groups; (3) for the significant number of people living with HIV/AIDS, providing counseling and education, working with health facilities to ensure the patients have access to anti-retroviral therapy and other services; (4) community outreach programs relating to mental health issues; (5) advocacy for policy changes to improve social justice and equity; (6) working on the front lines when natural disasters occur to coordinate relief efforts; (7) providing in-home elder care; (8) working in court as probation officers; (9) school counseling for students; (10) conducting research on marginalized groups (children, women and the poor), working with international organizations such as UNICEF; and (11) working in refugee camps, under UNHCR directives and government initiatives.

Elisha shared, “I seek to attain a PhD in social work to leverage my knowledge to create meaningful change. My journey reflects both personal ambition and a profound desire to uplift marginalized communities, demonstrating how education can empower individuals to impact society positively.”

Arafa holds a diploma in Social Work and commenced her three-year Bachelor’s degree program at Kampala International University of Tanzania (KIUT) in Dar es Salaam in 2024. Furthering her education to a Bachelor’s degree is essential for obtaining employment in her field. Because of her exceptional academic performance, PSCTP was pleased to continue supporting Arafa in achieving her academic goals.

Being born and raised in a very small rural community, moving to Dar es Salaam has been a most exciting change in Arafa’s way of life. She is very happy to have chosen to attend KIUT; she enjoys learning about the different cultures that populate the city and has made new friends. She also loves that the logo for KIUT is the giraffe since it represents the heights achievable through acquiring knowledge and skills.

Classes at KIUT last an entire academic year. Arafa is currently enrolled in seven different classes. She is especially enjoying the counseling and behavioral science courses, as they allow her to study Tanzanian society and better understand how to address the different problems that people face. In December 2024, students at KIUT were joined by students from other universities for sixteen days of activism to end gender-based violence. Arafa is very proud to be a social worker!