Happy July, Faraja Family!
In this month’s issue, we share the improvements happening right now at Faraja School and introduce you to some of our incredible new sponsors.
We are thrilled to tell you that we are full steam ahead on progress toward our $2.5M goal for the first phase of our Campaign for Faraja Forward. Your support thus far has made it possible for us to seriously upgrade our campus, which is now at capacity with 104 students, K-7th grade. The improvements are happening quickly: new classrooms, renovated dormitories, upgraded electrical, repaved concrete to improve accessibility, and new staff quarters for our dedicated patrons and matrons, who are with us 24/7. We can’t thank you enough for helping to make this possible, and ensuring that Faraja can provide the best possible experience for its students and dedicated staff—now, and long into the future.
We also want to thank our brand new sponsors, who recently joined us in 2024. You will meet five of them in this newsletter, and others in upcoming issues. Thank you to all who keep our mission strong and propel us forward. Asante Sana! We cannot do this work without all of YOU!
New classrooms where the magic happens
New windows to bring in the sunshine and keep out the storms
Repaving pathways and ramps to improve accessbility and mobility. The flower pots lining the pathway were all made by Faraja students in Career Camp.
Meet Some of our Amazing New Sponsors and Their Students!
Steve and Janet Thompson – Sponsoring Marko
Steve and Janet Thompson were introduced to Faraja School by board member David Vermylen. They we were able to visit the school in Sept 2022 following their first safari vacation to Tanzania. Faraja’s faculty gave them a great tour of the facility and the Thompson’s said “the children were so sweet and friendly to us, starting with the courtyard singing they performed for us. After that experience, it was a pretty easy decision to make to help sponsor a student. We look forward to connecting with Marko and helping him in any way we can.” The couple splits their time between Portsmouth, NH to be close to grandchildren, and Naples, FL, where Janet has a real estate business. Steve retired from the oil refining/construction business in 2011.
Marko, Class One, is talkative and smart. Born with cerebral palsy, he receives treatment at Faraja, which includes prosthesis and physical therapy. Marko is from Moshi, and has three siblings. His father is a farm manager.
Thomas, Elizabeth and David Ellis- Sponsoring Pascalina
The Ellis siblings visited Faraja in February on a family trip. Thomas (left) graduated from Miami University and currently works at a software company based in Boston. He enjoys spending time in Costa Rica, surfing, and golf. David graduated from Indiana University and works as a consultant for an international engineering firm. He recently completed the Boston Marathon. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Vermont and has been employed as a registered nurse working in orthopedics. They are excited about the opportunity to sponsor an amazing student. The Ellis siblings belong to our newest board member, Jean Ellis, and are pictured above with Youseph, Faraja’s longtime friend.
Pascalina, Class One, comes from the Karatu region, where her parents farm to support her and three siblings. Pascalina has a condition called Genu valgum, which causes her knees to turn inward. At Faraja, she will receive surgery and physiotherapy.
Matt and Madison Engel – Sponsoring Lillian
Madison and Matt are very excited to be sponsoring Lillian, and look forward to building a strong and supportive relationship with her in the coming years. They first heard about Faraja following Matt’s parents’ visit to the school in 2012. While they haven’t had the privilege of making a trip to Faraja themselves, they hope to bring their two children, Olivia (2) and Jamie (7mos), once they are older. The family lives in Lake Forest, IL with their golden retriever, Rosie. Matt works at Kraft-Heinz while Madison, a former English teacher, is currently at home with the little ones. Matt and Madison are active members of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. Matt’s father, Mitch Engel, serves on the Faraja Fund Foundation’s BOD.
Lillian, Class One, comes from the town of Boma N’gombe. This is a bustling town not very far from Faraja School. Her mother works as a bar maid in another city, so Lillian lives with her Grandmother. Her grandmother is elderly and has difficulty caring for her. Lillian has a mild case of cerebral palsy and receives weekly therapy to strengthen her muscles. She is a very active girl and is doing well with her school work.
Laura and Jim Bream – Sponsoring Purity
Jim is an attorney specializing in health care, and Laura is active in the community, including service with Catholic Charities’ Meals on Wheels. They live in Glenview, IL, where they raised four children—daughter Kendall teaches special education in the Glenview School District. In the last two years, they have welcomed three grandchildren into the world. Laura spent a college year abroad in Kenya—an experience she will never forget—and both are eager to return to East Africa and visit Faraja School.
Purity, Class 2, comes from Nshara, where she lives with her four brothers and her parents, who are both subsistence farmers growing corn, sunflowers and beans. Teachers describe Purity as “very clever, loves sports and wants to be a nurse.” Purity has a congenital anomaly of her lower limb and will receive prosthesis, orthotics and physiotherapy.
Sara Holzman and Taylor Sutton – Sponsoring Yohana
Sara and Taylor live in New York City. Sara is the Fashion Director for Marie Claire Magazine and Taylor is a Mechanical Engineer with Johnson Controls. They first learned of Faraja School through Sara’s mother, Jeryl, who—not coincidentally—is the executive director of the Faraja Fund Foundation. Once they learned Faraja was recruiting sponsors for 29 new students, they did not hesitate. “We know that healthcare and education are the keys to unlocking a brighter future,” says Sara. Both look forward to visiting Yohana and Faraja School in the not-so-distant future.
Yohana, Class 1, is from Arusha and has six siblings. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is now receiving the appropriate health care and rehabilitation therapy at Faraja. His father drives a Boda boda (motorcycle taxi) and his mother earns a small income as an entrepreneur.
In upcoming newsletters, we will feature more new sponsors, so stay tuned! If you are interested in sponsorship—or know someone who is—please email Jeryl@farajaschool.org
July 4 is around the corner and we are now proud owners of the placemats and pen and napkin holders our students made in career camp–perfect for Dave’s BBQ! Have a safe, happy and healthy holiday!
Faraja Fund Foundation chair, Dave Tolmie and head of Faraja School, Tumsifu Munuo
This issue is dedicated to the memory of Don Tolmie
co-founder of Faraja School.
June 21, 1928 – May 21, 2020
Disability is NOT Inability!