About Us

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Safi School Project is a non-profit organization based in Lacey, WA with the mission of empowering and improving the lives of young people in Tanzania through education. Safi is in its tenth year working with students in Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa.

Our Mission and Goals

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 Safi School Project seeks to improve the lives of young people in Tanzania through education. We strive to:
  • Support students
  • Support committed teachers
  • Provide financial aid
  • Supply volunteers
  • Maximize effectiveness of existing facilities
Our focus area is a place that we know, Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa. All activities are done in collaboration with local schools and communities. We seek to grow our membership and support. As our support base grows we can accept applications from additional schools to focus on. We believe that education gives these young people choices for their future. We have learned that in order to be effective we must focus on both student support and school infrastructure.

The goal of the Safi School Project is to make a measurable difference in the education of children in Tanzania. We do this by donor support.  With donor help Safi can create model schools that consider the needs of the whole school, its students, its teachers, its volunteers and its infrastructure.  We see results. In ten years, our support has:
  • Funded 1000 one year sponsorships.
  • Funded a curriculum appropriate library so that students have textbooks available in all of their classes.
  • Funded a kitchen and established a continuing lunch program for the whole school.
  • Funded a deep well that provides clean water to the school and the community.
  • Provided facilities for modern sanitation.
  • Upgraded classrooms and technology.
  • Funded a science lab.
  • Improved access to teacher training.
  • Built a retaining wall that protects the school from periodic floods.
Most importantly, when Safi first got involved we picked a school where students did not pass because there was too little support, supplies, and everything necessary for educational success.  Since 2013, Form 4 students graduate. There have been 4 years where most have qualified well enough on the national tests to go for further education and training that will lead to sustainable jobs.  
The student's response to Safi support has been remarkable.  These students know that education requires effort and they have applied effort.  The doors to the future are opening and the students are ready to move forward.

Committees and Officers

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Committees – Since it takes many hands to succeed, these committees have been formed to organize our activities:

  • ​Education & Sponsorship – Earla Ferry, Chair – Maintains coordination between Tanzanian educational consultants, and programs through the Executive Director. Makes recommendations to Board for educational programs and costs to support them. Maintains sponsor/student records, sends Annual letters to sponsors.
  • ​Finance Committee – Jenny Bona and Karen Mapes, Co-Chair – responsible for funds and budget.
  • Development & Fund Raising – Sally Tellekson, Chair– Develops yearly calendar for fundraising and outreach which includes fundraising and outreach events, donor communications, including letter and online appeals, and stewardship communications.  Assumes responsibility for major and incidental fundraising events throughout the year.
  • Communications Committee/Publications Team – Jane Seidel,Chair –  Develops Safi Brand based on mission and programs and strives.  Develops and prepares printed and online materials. Maintains and updates Website and social media.
  • Governance - Robert Alspaugh Chair - Reviews By-laws, Standing Rules and other documents as needed to maintain relevancy to the work of the organization.
  • Nominating Committee - Jane Seidel, Chair - Monitors terms of the Board members, Prepares slate of Board nominees.Maintains roster of potential candidates for future Board membership.
  • Purposeful Planning Committee - Mary Nelson, Chair - Promotes Purposeful Travel trips to the membership and friends.
Executive Committee  
  • Lola Dean, Chair
  • pending, Vice-Chair
  • Mary Nelson, Executive Director
  • Karen Mapes,Treasurer
  • Kate Delozier, Secretary
Other Officers
  • Vicki Labensky, Financial Secretary
  • Marcia McBrady, Corresponding Secretary
Board Members
  • Christine Gourley
  • Courtney Bell
  • Karen Mapes
  • Lola Deane
  • Marilyn Ahlf
  • Kate Delozier
  • Dittie (Eleanor) Weinel
  • Jane Seidel
  • Earla Ferry