We’ve Missed Them—and They’re Back!

Faraja students returned this month from their home breaks refreshed, reenergized, and ready to resume their studies as they prepare for their national examinations and the September 15 graduation celebration.

We are especially grateful to Head of School Tumsifu Munuo, whose leadership ensured that every Faraja student now has health insurance coverage while away from school. In rural Tanzania, most families who earn their living through the informal economy are uninsured and often live hours from the nearest healthcare facility. As a result, even routine medical care is a significant financial burden and emergencies can become overwhelming.

Because many of our students have complex medical needs, emergencies do occur. In the past, some students have been unable to return to school because they could not access or afford the care they needed. Now, we have peace of mind that our students can receive timely medical treatment when they leave for family visits.

Keeping our students safe, healthy, and in school is one of our highest priorities, and we are delighted to welcome everyone back to Faraja for another exciting term. Thanks to supporters like you, Faraja students can focus on learning—not worrying whether a medical emergency will end their education.

Faraja students love to read. One of the highlights of the new term is our new library. Thanks to the generosity of our friends and supporters, the shelves continue to be  stocked with grade-appropriate books, and our students can’t wait to practice their English.

Please Join Us in Welcoming Our Newest Board Members!

The Faraja Fund Foundation is thrilled to welcome Maddie Czerkawski, Scott Shannon, LeAnn Pope, and Hunter Tolmie to our Board of Directors. Their experience, leadership, and passion will help guide Faraja as we continue transforming the lives of children with disabilities in Tanzania.

Maddie Czerkawski

Maddie is a Senior Brand Manager at Kimberly-Clark, where she has spent the past five years building brands and driving growth. Prior to her work in CPG, Maddie worked at a nonprofit consulting firm supporting fundraising and marketing efforts, and began her career as a middle school Special Education teacher.

She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.

Maddie’s connection to Faraja is deeply personal. Her grandparents helped found the Faraja School, and her father, Dave Tolmie, currently serves as the Chairman. She has traveled to the school five times and is passionate about supporting its mission and the incredible students it serves.

Scott Shannon 

Scott was first introduced to Faraja through his parents who were longtime friends of founders Joann and Don Tolmie.

Scott recently retired from a career in financial services, which included banking, capital markets, investment management, and insurance brokerage.  He is a graduate of Washington & Lee University, and currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Edie.

Scott has served on several non-profit Boards/Committees over the years, including Special Olympics North Carolina, Safe Alliance, Roof Above, Ascend Nonprofit Solutions, and Charlotte Family Housing.

LeAnn Pope 

LeAnn enjoyed a distinguished career as a nationally recognized litigation attorney before retiring from law in 2015 to pursue a Master of Theology degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University, which she earned in 2020.

Since then, she has devoted her time to advancing social justice initiatives. LeAnn is a longtime supporter of Faraja and the former Chair of the Board of Opportunity International, a global nonprofit that helps families living in extreme poverty build sustainable livelihoods and expand access to quality education.

She also mentors young African American men on Chicago’s South Side through CRED (Create Real Economic Destiny), an organization dedicated to reducing gun violence and creating pathways to opportunity.

LeAnn lives in Winnetka, Illinois, with her husband, Clyde McGregor.

Hunter Tolmie

Hunter is from Baltimore, Maryland, and has worked in Global Supply Chain and Inventory Management at Under Armour for the past 10 years. He has visited Faraja School six times.

Hunter is the grandson of Don and Joann Tolmie and the son of Board Vice President, John Tolmie. He has had the privilege of traveling to the school with them on several occasions, accompanied by his wife, Lexi. Together, Hunter and Lexi have supported the school by leading fundraising efforts and organizing holiday cards for the students.

Hunter also coordinated the donation of more than 150 Under Armour shirts, ensuring that every student at the school received one.

He is deeply passionate about supporting the students of Faraja and is committed to carrying on his family’s legacy of service for years to come. He also looks forward to introducing his son, Griffin, to the Faraja community in the near future.

A Faraja Graduate Comes Full Circle

2012 Alumnus Emmanuel Dunford Makala is the

Faraja Fund Foundation’s Inaugural Alumni Advisor

Many of our readers already know Emmanuel as the creative talent behind many of Faraja’s memorable photographs and videos.

For the past two years, Emmanuel has served as the Foundation’s visual storyteller, capturing the life-changing work taking place through Faraja School and Faraja Forward. His photographs and films have helped tell Faraja’s story around the world and have been featured by national media covering our work.

Emmanuel’s journey began at Faraja School, where he graduated in 2012. He went on to earn a degree in Social Work from Kairuki University in Dar es Salaam before combining his passion for social justice with his creative talents to inspire positive change throughout Tanzania.

See Faraja Through the Eyes of Our Students

There’s no better guide to Faraja than the students whose lives have been transformed here.

In this new video, directed by Emmanuel, our students welcome you onto campus and share Faraja through their own eyes.

Their confidence, joy, and sense of belonging are a powerful reminder of what happens when children with disabilities are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream without limits. These young ambassadors don’t just describe Faraja—they embody its mission.

We invite you to spend a few minutes with our student guides and experience the warmth, hope, and possibility that define the Faraja community.

On the Road with Faraja Forward

Faraja Forward Tanzania Executive Director Jane Lyayuka  (center) and her staff joined communities across the continent in commemorating the Day of the African Child with a series of outreach activities in Same, Meru, and Moshi Districts, in partnership with Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

More than 386 secondary students participated in interactive sessions on child rights, disability awareness, abuse prevention, and reporting mechanisms, preparing them to become advocates for inclusion within their schools and communities.

The day’s festivities also featured an inclusive Sports Bonanza that brought together approximately 100 children with special needs, caregivers, community health workers, teachers, and local leaders. Through games, sports, music, poetry, and traditional dance, children of all abilities learned, played, and celebrated side by side—demonstrating that every child deserves the opportunity to participate, belong, and thrive.

The event concluded with remarks from Moshi District Commissioner Godfrey E. Mzava, who joined Faraja staff, families, and community members in reaffirming their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

Through education, healthcare outreach, and joyful community participation, Faraja Forward continues to reduce stigma and build more inclusive communities where every child belongs.



Standing Together in a Time of Loss

Remembering Flavia Swai

This month, the Faraja community experienced the heartbreaking loss of Flavia Swai, the mother of Denis, who is completing his final year at Faraja School.

Shortly after dropping Denis off at school following the break, Flavia was tragically killed in a car accident while returning home.

She was a devoted mother whose love and sacrifice made it possible for Denis to pursue his education. Though she faced significant financial hardship, Tumsifu shared that she faithfully contributed the modest family payment each year as a sign of her commitment. She was also the primary caregiver for her blind husband, making her loss especially devastating.

In the days that followed her death, the Faraja community rallied  around to support the family and honor Flavia’s life. Staff, students, alumni, and friends helped prepare the funeral, offered prayers, and stood beside Denis during an unimaginably difficult time.

At Faraja, we often say we are more than a school—we are a family. Moments like these remind us what that truly means. We celebrate together, and we grieve together.

Denis will graduate this September, and we are committed to helping him continue the journey his mother worked so hard to make possible. A special education fund has been established to support his transition to secondary school and beyond, and the Faraja community will continue to walk beside him every step of the way.

Please keep Denis and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate the difficult days ahead.

The Faraja family gathered to support Denis during one of the most difficult moments of his life.

Faraja Primary School’s 25th anniversary continues to receive national attention.

Tanzania Insight one of the country’s leading digital news platforms, recently featured the school’s remarkable journey from serving just 15 students in 2001 to becoming Tanzania’s first residential primary school dedicated to children with physical disabilities.

The article highlights Faraja’s unique combination of education, healthcare, rehabilitation, and family support while recognizing the growing impact of Faraja Forward throughout the Kilimanjaro Region.

Every story published helps raise awareness of the challenges children with disabilities face in Tanzania—and the extraordinary potential they have when given the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for believing in the potential of every child. Together, we are building a future where disability is never a barrier to hope, education, or opportunity.

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