Joann and Don Tolmie—lovingly referred to as Bibi and Babu (grandma and grandpa)— committed themselves to a lifetime of devotion and service to others. In retirement, they traveled around the world, eventually visiting Tanzania. In 2000, in partnership with the Tanzanian Lutheran Church, they established and funded Faraja Primary School for children with physical disabilities. Between 1999 and 2016, they traveled to Tanzania and Faraja thirty-five times. Over these past 25 years, Faraja has provided education, medical care and rehabilitation in a loving environment for hundreds of students. Joann and Don were recognized by the Tanzanian Prime Minister and Parliament for their work and honored with a President Bush “Point of Light” award. It was Joann’s mother, Mabel Swanson, who instilled in her daughter a love of education and a heart for serving people with disabilities. Don passed away in 2020 at age 91 and Joann in 2022 at 92.
Their legacy shines brightly at Faraja School.