St. Francis Vocational School: Building Skills, Confidence, and Hope in Arusha

Located in Arusha, Tanzania, St. Francis Vocational School is opening doors to brighter futures for young women and men eager to learn, grow, and thrive. Serving students ages 15 to 20, this two-year trade school equips youth with practical, marketable skills, including food preparation, sewing, computer literacy, and electrical wiring along with the certificates they need to confidently enter the workforce.

Beyond technical training, students are introduced to the principles of microfinancing and encouraged to begin saving for their futures. These lessons build not only employability, but also financial confidence and long-term stability.

Sister Toni first connected with Sr. Aloysious, a Missionary Sister of the Precious Blood and principal of the school, through her work with Microfinancing Partners in Africa. Since then, the school’s dedicated staff has formed a microfinancing group of their own, working collaboratively to secure supplemental funds and strengthen their financial footing. Witnessing this shared commitment and seeing the seeds of success take root has been a true joy.

Whenever Sister Toni visits Arusha, she treasures the opportunity to reconnect with the community of Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood and the lay staff who minister throughout the region. We invite you to enjoy the photos and videos she shares, capturing both the spirit of the school and the warmth of the community.

As an aside: Many of the young women attending the school are members of the Maasai communities nearby. Their love of dance is unmistakable, marked by remarkable agility and a distinctive upper-body movement that is truly captivating to behold.