Child Sponsorship Program

Shalom Orphanage Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-political, non-religious organization registered in the United Republic of Tanzania under the 2002 Non-Government Organization Act. Founded in 2004 through the love and vision of Warra Nnko “Mama Warra”, Shalom’s sole mission is to improve the lives of poor and disadvantaged children in Karatu and neighboring communities Arusha and Moshi.  From the outset, our support for students from Shalom has been paid directly to their educational institutions. The students sometimes return to Shalom during their school holidays, though many opt to stay at their educational institutions for remedial studies between school terms, or visit their families of origin, especially now that they are over the age of 18.   

Started in 2004 by Modest and Lightness Bayo, the privately-run Tumaini Junior School (TJS) was the first school placement for JOS-sponsored students. TJS boasts some of the highest testing scores in the Karatu region and in fact, since 2011, Tumaini has been ranked in the top 20% of primary schools in the nation! Mr. and Mrs. Bayo are true visionaries who continue to equip Tumaini students with strong leadership skills. Truly they embody the Tumaini motto, “Strive for Excellence.”

In 2015, Mr. Bayo broke ground on the Tumaini Senior Secondary School (TSSS), which opened its doors to over forty Form I students in January 2016,  including one JOS-sponsored student. Through the generosity and great partnership of Tanzania Education Corporation, TJS & TSSS are empowering and equipping young minds. We are grateful to have partnered with Mr. & Mrs. Bayo and TEC!

In 2018-2020, JOS partnered with Jobortunity, an apprenticeship program in Arusha that trains youth between 18-25 years to be ready to join the workforce. This training and development institute is doing phenomenal work and we are grateful to have one JOS-supported student graduate Jobortunity after studying the Hi5 method. In fact, this student earned a job placement as a result of his apprenticeship through Jobortunity.

CSP Founder and Project Lead, Elizabeth Kallop, first visited Shalom Orphanage Centre in 2008 after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Unable to forget her brief visit, following her return to home in New York City, she immediately began planning a return to Tanzania. Some friends from the Kilimanjaro climb had recently launched Journeys of Solutions so after some project planning discussions, using her event planning and fundraising background, Elizabeth raised funds for a July 2009 survey trip to Shalom in order to see how JOS could join Shalom in its efforts to support and improve the children’s lives. During this trip, Elizabeth and a volunteer family worked with Shalom on construction, health care and education projects.

In September 2009 Elizabeth returned to Shalom for three months, during which time the Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) was born. From 2009-2011, Elizabeth traveled to Tanzania for weeks and months at a time to continue developing the CSP. In 2012, Elizabeth returned to Karatu for two years of continued development of the CSP whilst also working for Tanzania Education Corporation. During this time Elizabeth worked to establish TEC’s presence in Karatu, which included oversight and expansion of a sponsorship program, the creation of a volunteer program and increased visibility of TEC’s efforts and dedication to working alongside Tumaini Junior School founders Modest and Lightness Bayo. In 2014 Elizabeth returned to New York City where she continues to manage the CSP remotely.