The Power of Education: Celebrating Dr Emanuel

Dr Emanuel Sarakikya at his graduation with a MSc degree in Public Health from the University of South Wales, Newport (January 2023)

“Invest in people, prioritise education”  

       — (Theme of the International Day of Education 2023) 

Tuesday, 24th January marked the fifth annual International Day of Education. Created by the UN as a day to celebrate the contribution of education towards peace and development, this year it is specifically focused on the theme ‘To invest in people, prioritise education’.  

This year’s theme is apt and could not be more relevant to the work that ACT has been undertaking in communities in Africa since it was formed in 1998. At the start of our year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of ACT, we are delighted to celebrate one of our beneficiaries, Dr Emanuel Seth Sarakikya from Tanzania. 

The support that ACT has given to Dr Emanuel Seth Karakikya during his life, and the success he has gone on to achieve is inspiring and an example of the opportunity that education can help to unlock. Once a grief-stricken child whose mother could not afford to send him to school following the death of his father, today, Dr. Emanuel coordinates the public health response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kagera, Northwest Tanzania.  

Dr Emanuel was in the UK this month to attend his graduation from the University of South Wales, Newport with a MSc degree in Public Health. Following which, last week, he was the guest of the staff and trustees of ACT at our office in Croydon, UK. It was a pleasure to hear about his life and his remarkable career first-hand. 

The early years 

Born in 1987 in Tanga, Tanzania, Emanuel grew up living with his parents and younger brother. Sadly, his beloved father passed away from cancer when Emanuel was just six years old, leaving his mother Fidea to single-handedly bring up her two sons.  

Although well over 65% of children in Tanzania enrol in primary school, less than 10% move on to secondary school because education at this level was not free. So, amid their loss, the boys were reluctantly withdrawn from school as Fidea could not afford to pay their school fees. Despite this, Emanuel was determined to get an education and had hope that someday he will be able to support himself, his mother, brother and his extended family. 

Introduction to ACT 

A young Emanuel with his mother (2004)

Fidea found out about ACT from neighbours who knew about ACT through our work with the local Tanzania Assemblies of God (TAG) church in Chumbageni, Tanga, supporting disadvantaged children and orphans in the area. Emanuel’s name was submitted to ACT, and he was accepted for support.  

“At 16, he is self-assured, articulate and clearly very clever”  

– ACT partner report, 2003 

ACT started supporting Emmanuel in 2003 when he was in Form 2 at secondary school and all through to completion of his secondary school leaving exams. At school he regularly received excellent grades and was always coming top of his class. ACT paid his school fees, provided school uniforms, school shoes and necessary educational materials to help him through his studies. The family also received financial help for food and other needs. According to the termly reports we receive from our partners in Tanga, Emanuel was always a likeable and friendly child.  

A rising star 

Emanuel gained admission to a prestigious upper secondary school in Dar es Salaam, where his mind turned towards his future plans. He had long thought of pursuing medicine – his grandfather was a medical professional and Emanuel can remember playing with his stethoscope when he was very young. However, while he had a strong desire to help others, he was unsure how he would be able to afford the very high cost of studying for 5 years in medical school in Tanzania and also support himself. With ACT support, Emanuel decided to follow his heart, and after five years of studying, he successfully qualified as a medical doctor from the University of Dar es Salaam in 2014. 

His medical career started at the Temeke Municipal Hospital, the teaching hospital in Dar es Salaam. He worked as a medical doctor but was soon drawn into hospital management as his administrative skills became evident to his superiors. He was the medical administrator of the hospital in 2016 when the wife of former President Magufuli was admitted to the hospital to undergo a major operation rather than taking her abroad, often to Europe, for medical care, as most African presidents and heads of government in Africa tend to do. President Magufuli complimented the hospital’s improvement, having previously been critical of the conditions there. It was a hugely positive piece of PR for the hospital and a great achievement for Dr. Emanuel to have played a part in (read more).  

Dr. Emanuel now works in the Kagera region as the Regional Clinical and Strategic Information Manager for a USAID-funded programme in Tanzania. He is doing incredibly well. At the age of 36, he is the youngest senior manager in the regional programme. His work involves coordinating the provision of care for those diagnosed with HIV across the northwest regions of Tanzania. Emanuel is interested not only treatment of HIV but also its prevention. In his spare time he helps tackle the root causes of infection by running educational workshops for young boys.   

An ACT Alumnus – Giving back  

Dr. Emanuel meeting with some Trustees

During his visit to the ACT office in Croydon, to meet trustees, volunteers and staff members, he emphasised his desire to give back to ACT. He is interested in the ACT Alumni project and keen to help build the network of former ACT beneficiaries in Tanzania.  

“In the many years since I stopped receiving ACT support, ACT has never stopped treating me like family” 

– Dr. Emanuel Sarakikya 

Emanuel hopes the Tanzania Alumni can become a community that will inspire and motivate current ACT-sponsored children, helping them to dream of what is possible and what they can achieve. 

 Help us to help other children to reach their potential 

Emanuel’s story is a prime example of how education can unlock incredible opportunities for a disadvantaged child. Emanuel recognises how investing in children’s educations is a key priority, he now also supports multiple children, paying their school fees among which is a university student. There are many children in Africa looking to ACT for support. Please sponsor a child like Emmanuel today, and help transform their life.  

To find out more how you can sponsor a child click here or scan our QR code.