Saying Thanks
Faraja students will soon be on break for the winter holidays. The children and staff in Tanzania, along with those in the United States, send their heartfelt gratitude to you as they prepare to spend time with their families, and you, with yours.
More than two decades ago, Faraja was an idea, a dream…a risk. Sometimes dreams fade, but just as often, they can move us in new directions.
In their seventh decade of life, Faraja founders Joann and Don Tolmie visited Tanzania for the first time, and saw the terrible plight of children with physical disabilities. Without access to education or health care, these children were destined to a lifetime of dependency and helplessness. Truly, the bottom of society.
Don and Joann made a promise to do something about a situation they could not ignore. It was a risk, but their dedication and faith guided them. Today, Faraja is the North Star in a country now learning how to address children with special needs.
Thanks to you, the children at Faraja have an extraordinary opportunity that is not afforded to most children with special needs in Tanzania—to live in a comforting and joyful environment that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. They and our alumni inspire us everyday.
Your support has created pathways for our students to experience the childhood they deserve, and the education and health care that enables them to thrive. They move into adulthood independent, resilient, and contributing to their communities.
We have all come a long way together. We have a lot to be grateful for.
May your Thanksgiving be filled with comfort and joy!
Welcome New Sponsors!
We love it when sponsoring a Faraja student is a family thing. Mitch Engel, himself a student sponsor and member of the Foundation’s BOD, has passed down the love for Faraja to his own children—Trista and Brent, and Lauren and Robbie—who are co-sponsoring our new kindergartner, Sharoni Wiliam Urio.
Sharoni is six years old, friendly and social. Her family is part of the Chagga Tribe from the Arusha region, not far from Faraja School. She has two sisters and lives in one rented room with five people, including her mother, grandmother, and aunt. Her father left home when she was very young and does not provide any assistance for the family. Her mother has a small income from cooking food and selling it as a “food hawker”.
Sharoni had a trans tibial (below the knee) amputation after experiencing major trauma to her leg. At Faraja, she receives ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and abundant love.
Sharoni’s co-sponsors, Trista and Brent, live just outside of San Francisco in Mill Valley, CA. Trista runs a legal services business and Brent is a former bond trader, currently taking time off to spend more time with the family. They are active members of Hillside Church in Corte Madera, CA.
Trista, Brent, Weston, Shepard and Lyla.
Robbie and Lauren also co-sponsor Sharoni. They live in Lake Forest, IL., just outside Chicago. Robbie works at Sphere Data Solutions Group, while Lauren, previously a mental health therapist, is currently focused on raising their three boys.
Lauren, Robbie, Rory, Bennett, and Graham
Watch Your Mail for the
Faraja Fund Foundation’s
2024 Year in Review
We’re excited to share the incredible progress made in 2024, progress that your support has made possible. Our year-end impact report is in the mail to you. We hope you are proud of what your support has accomplished. We can’t—and don’t—do this work alone!
From the Faraja family to your family, Happy Thanksgiving!
Disability is NOT Inability!