IMAGINE a colorful bus traveling across Tanzania, turning every stop into a lively celebration of education and fun. This was the scene during the Ubongo Building Brains Tour 2024, a transformative journey that has captivated primary school students, parents, and teachers alike.

For nearly a month, this tour which was launched in July by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports, Hamis Mohammed Mwinjuma, led by Ubongo in partnership with the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation and Hope and Healing, made learning an exciting adventure across the Arusha and Mara regions.  

The heart of the tour was a vibrant Ubongo-branded bus adorned with popular cartoon characters, turning each town into a festival of learning. As the bus traveled through Usa River and Morombo in Arusha, and in Musoma and Butiama in Mara, it brought interactive games, engaging storytelling, and thrilling competitions to children. This hands-on approach made education accessible and enjoyable for primary school students. 

“Ubongo cartoons have a unique way of teaching through entertainment. My child learned to count effortlessly thanks to the popular character dubbed Akili and Me. I believe these tours should happen more regularly and reach even more regions, not just as a one-time event,” says Lilian Mollel, a parent from Morombo, Arusha region.

The tour’s reach has been impressive in the two regions. It reached about 134,000 people, with 124,230 primary school students, 940 teachers, 8,554 caregivers participating in the activities. Special attention was given to inclusivity, with more than 4,000 students with disabilities benefiting from the tour. Additionally, over 2,000 new users registered for Vodacom’s e-Fahamu platform, which offers valuable educational resources for students and teachers.

Robert Chacha, a resident from Butiama in Mara region shared his experience of the tour: “This tour has been a blessing for our community. It’s wonderful to see children so enthusiastic about learning. The interactive games and stories have made a real difference, and it’s great to see them enjoying education in such a creative way.”   

The Building Brains Tour has not only made learning exciting but has also strengthened the connection between education and entertainment. This innovative approach has transformed the way primary school students engage with their studies, setting a new standard for educational experiences in Tanzania.

Zuweina Farah, External Affairs & Vodacom Tanzania Foundation Director, expressed her excitement about this exciting journey with Ubongo, "This partnering with Ubongo on this tour has let us combine our efforts to make quality education available to every child. The mix of Vodacom Foundation’s e-Fahamu platform with Ubongo’s engaging content has created a strong partnership that improves learning outcomes through technology and creativity."

The Building Brains Tour is more than just an event; it’s a movement to improve school readiness, learning outcomes, and the enjoyment of learning. By bringing educational content directly to communities, Ubongo is fulfilling its mission to equip Africa’s future generations with the knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes needed for personal and community growth.

“I like Ubongo Kids cartoons because they offer so much learning for our children. It’s fantastic that the content is available in both English and Kiswahili, using simple language that’s easy for kids to understand,” says Manka Mushi, a resident from Usa River, Arusha region.

By bridging entertainment with learning, the Building Brains Tour is not only making education fun but also empowering the next generation to dream big and reach their full potential. With its commitment to inclusivity and modern educational tools, Ubongo is paving the way for a brighter, more informed future for children throughout Africa.